Editor’s Note: The legacy of the late Mike Denneen of Q Division is as deep as his music catalog. As Zeth Lundy conducted interviews with those who personally knew and worked with the co-founder and co-owner of the heralded Somerville recording studio, he asked about their favorite tracks that Denneen helped influence and perfect. Below is what each suggested, as well as their thoughts on each song.
Jen Trynin, “I Resign” from Gun Shy Trigger Happy (1997)
Suggested by Matt Beaudoin: “While there are bigger, more bombastic, more ‘produced’ Denneen productions, I think this one speaks to his ability to serve the artist and the song. The relatively spare production strongly accentuates the strengths of the artist, really highlighting the deeply emotive and vulnerable vocals and the strong rhythm guitar. Other producers may have been tempted to dress this song up much more than this, but Denneen understood the value and power of restraint.”