Singer-songwriter Denice Lao is no stranger to transformations. 

With her latest single, “LT. Butterfly,” she takes listeners through a heartfelt journey of self-discovery, patience, and creative growth, reflecting both her personal evolution and the challenges of navigating life as an artist.

Finding Her Voice in a Choir Room

Denice’s musical journey began unexpectedly. Growing up in a household of academically gifted siblings, she often felt like the odd one out—until a classmate invited her to audition for the school choir.

“She was too shy to go alone, so I tagged along. Funny enough, I got in, and that’s when I fell in love with singing,” Denice shares. "Eventually, I grew up, got a job, and felt again like a misplaced fish out of water. I decided to try releasing one of my songs (Just Got Home) as a fun project - again, I fell in love the same way. There was something about sharing music and the storytelling that goes with telling a part of your life's story."

For Denice, it wasn’t about a grand declaration to pursue music full-time. Instead, it was the realization that music had to be a constant in her life. “If taking it seriously meant I could keep doing it consistently, then so be it.”

Her First Song—and the Story Behind It

College romance inspired Denice’s very first original song, “The Only One.” What started as an anniversary gift idea (after a series of creative surprises between her and her then-boyfriend) turned into a full-blown track. 

"Me and my boyfriend back in college would always top each other when giving anniversary gifts, he's done a whole PowerPoint on why he loves me, I'd cook for him, until I ran out of ideas - I was jealous about another girl that time too and thought, "why don't I write a song since I sing and write poems?" That song was called 'The Only One,' which talks about wanting to be someone's only one."

Musical Influences: From CL to Sara Bareilles

Denice’s sound is a mosaic of diverse influences. She cites CL of 2NE1 for her commanding stage presence and visual identity—something Denice also prioritizes as an indie artist. Lyrically and emotionally, she finds deep resonance in the works of Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty) and Sara Bareilles.

 "I love musicals, pop, country, and just about everything I can relate to at the moment - sometimes I even feel like my whole life is a live music video. If there's no fitting soundtrack for that moment, then it's time to write one."

The Story Behind “LT. Butterfly”

The song’s title, “LT. Butterfly,” might sound cryptic at first—but it’s a playful nod to a lyric in the track: “Just like this little tiny butterfly.”

“We joked around about it being ‘little na, tiny pa?!’ But it stuck,” Denice laughs. “Even if we’ve bloomed in our own right as artists, we still often feel small. The ‘LT.’ became a symbol—like Lieutenant—of fragile hearts taking charge.”

The song, produced in collaboration with Fred Engay and Rise High, emerged during a reflective conversation about each of their personal ‘gardens.’

“Fred realized his garden had bloomed after years of nurturing it. I, on the other hand, felt like parts of mine had withered. That contrast brought out the core of the song—‘Life takes time like a little butterfly.’ It was born out of real frustrations and quiet triumphs.”

On the Creative Process with Fred Engay and Rise High

Working with Fred and Edil of Rise High brought a refreshing collaborative energy. “It was light, open, and honest,” Denice says. “The songwriting part happened in just a few hours because it was a genuine reflection of where we each were in our artistic journeys.”

The track blends Denice’s raw lyricism with Rise High’s textured production and Fred’s melodic sensitivity, resulting in a layered, emotionally resonant piece.