[5] He began playing his songs locally in San Francisco at open mic nights—most notably the Hotel Utah, where he met cellist Nathan Blaz and drummer Brian Ostreicher.

[9][10] Deni signed with local Bay Area label Tricycle Records, and in December 2009, released a 7-inch single for the song "Kites" with a cover of the English rock band New Order's "Age of Consent" as the B-side.

The digital-download version of the record also contained two bonus remixes of the songs "Kites" and "Paris" by fellow Bay Area artists Wallpaper and The Limousines.

[13] November 2010 marked the first major tour for the band, supporting Stars on dates across the United States beginning in the Bay Area and ending in Buffalo, NY.

The tour began 12 January at Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, Oregon, and ended 1 February at The Echo in Los Angeles, California.

[24] On 20 January 2015 Paste magazine premiered the single "I'm Ready" and announced his forthcoming full-length LP Ghost Modern to be released in March 2015.

[25] Prior to the release of Ghost Modern, the band headlined a sold-out show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California as part of the Noise Pop Festival.

[27] Deni then recruited cellist Joyce Lee, guitarist and bass player Duncan Nielsen and drummer Cody Rhodes as his touring band, headlining shows throughout the United States and South by Southwest.