Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen “Dinzy” Dinsmore.
Hi Kristen “Dinzy”, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Heart on sleeve, sleeve on fire, I was ready to leave it all on the floor. From Kristen Dinsmore-a little girl daydreaming of being a chart topping pop singer, to a true theater kid, I found myself rocking the Whiskey A Go Go and ended up in Nashville’s Basement as local rock Artist “Dinzy”. With only a suitcase and my most treasured valuables (including my cat Tigs and best friend Melody) in my sun baked mustang, I said goodbye to Los Angeles for the cross country trip to a place I had never been, but knew I needed to be. Clutching to my all-or-nothing anthems of survival, power, and discovery, with full-force, I was ready to raise my voice and the volume to eleven in Music City.
You could say It began with a little band called “No Doubt”. Yes this, ” just a girl”, had no fear and an unapologetic attitude with all eyes on her while leaving everyone in the dust in her electric performances on stage. This was the catalyst of me taking the road less traveled and combining this show stopping energy with powerhouse vocals much like a band called “Paramore”. I wanted more than anything to perform my music around the world and leave no crumbs when it came to show time.
As soon as I arrived in town I went searching for my people. Where’s the rock and roll!? And boy did I find it. I went out night after night and immersed myself in the scene and as promised, I got to work on my debut album with on-demand harmonious, adrenaline shot rock with an unabashed sincerity blazing the torch of big, loud rock.
“Dinzy’s debut electrifying, high-octane self titled album, was released in 2018 featuring Ann Wilson evoking yet unmistakably original and raw vocals along with a unique approach to songwriting.”-JB
Shortly thereafter, I joined Nashville’s number one Party Band, “The 12 South Band” and got to sing and dance my heart out. I then made my way downtown to Broadway where country appeared to be king, but as I did, I found my own way and “Dinzy and the Rockers” popped up holding residencies as your all request band.
Over my decade of residing in Nashville, I’ve continued to release my music and perform in cherished venues alike making a mark in the local rock scene which led to my very first tour as the lead singer of the new wave 80’s band Bow Wow Wow! I was finally on the road traveling the US for the “Totally 80’s Tour” with When in Rome II and The Motels while having an absolute blast with monsters of the 80’s no less, and what a wild ride it was.
I still had a major itch to discover the world around me and in 2024 I landed a contract fronting the Rolling Stone Rock Room and the Rolling Stone Lounge where I was lucky enough to sail the seas of the Caribbean, Europe and Asia on the Holland America Line.
My next single “A Million Miles” is a psychotropic runaway train written with my long time collaborator and friend, Nashville Guitarist and Artist Colin Poulton; out everywhere now!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many rocky roads including the very first one that led me here. The place I was supposed to live was no longer available the day I showed up in Nashville, which led me to being practically homeless for a couple of weeks. I found the best of friends because of this and they helped me fit right in and showed me the ins and outs of Nashville in all of its glory to which I am still so grateful for to this day. You can imagine starting off this way might detour one’s self, but I seem to persevere in the most chaotic and tumultuous situations which bodes well for me in this business. What can go wrong, probably will. Especially on tour, you have to have tough skin and willingness to adapt and as long as you have passion, you won’t ever have to “quit”. Music isn’t here for you to decide whether or not to quit it. It’s what we were born to do and I will always want to create. It might be hard to remember that in this freelance, extra- ordinary career, especially in this profuse social media climate where we are our own managers, bookers, content creators, videographers and more needing to dish anything and everything at all times. It can be overwhelming and might be easy to lose sight of why we do this and I have to remind myself as well, but what a dream it is to be doing the thing you daydreamed about as a young child.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What I think might set me apart is that I give my all on stage. I am performing as if it is my last time on that stage. I think that might be a lost art nowadays, but that is what grabbed hold of me in the beginning. You go to a concert as a kid and see this artist give you a real show. That’s what I live for while giving the emotions and vocals a light and time to shine engaging with the audience. We’re in the experience together.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Nashville is the music community. No one is out to get anyone here in competition and other musicians have always been genuine and most become my friends willing to support and vice versa. I have also learned so much from fellow musicians and artists who have helped me in so many ways. What I don’t like is that it is impossible to park anywhere now without paying, especially when we need to hike it downtown Broadway to play a gig.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dinzyrock.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinzyrock/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DINZYRock/
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/dinzyrock
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DINZYROCK
