For the past 4 years I have been writing and performing music under the moniker Den U Ma. After releasing my most recent EP, “A Beggars Bread,” I realized a change had taken place. The sound, style, and spirit of music had shifted. I feel like
the music has gotten more honest and self-exposing.

I’ve noticed that the only way I can be real with myself is through song writing. For some reason I can sing about things I’m scared to talk about. “The Hidden Rose” starts with the line, “I am afraid of growing old, and what I’ve been told about dying in each day.” The first time these lyrics came out of my mouth I was completely shocked. Suddenly I realized how much I didn’t want to become old and isolated. My childhood was over. I just hadn’t realized it.

The music has really helped me process my fears and look for joy and hope in the dark places. In the title track from, “A Beggars Bread” I sing the line, “My journal needs new ink, my mind a way to think. My canvas needs painting. The heart much saving.” I believe art has a lot of power in it. When I let myself be creative, I can get my fears out in front of me, and have more perspective and power over my own circumstances.

So, after coming up with a lot of really bad band names, I decided to listen to my mother and “just be myself.” I am now playing under my own name, Timothy Robert Graham.