Best known for his song "I DON'T WANT 2 B UR FRIEND" released late summer 2019, Devon is an indie pop newcomer who popped up on my radar for a couple of reasons - Jack Saunders has spun him on his new Future Artists show, and he's now shown up on my TikTok for you page a handful of times (don't worry, I made sure to give him a follow). I'm grateful that he has popped up as someone I'd like to keep an eye on, because he's insanely talented, and he's doing things the way that he wants to, not the way that the industry thinks that musicians should.
One reason Devon has stood out to me (aside from the unstoppable tunes) is that he's been using his time in lockdown to get acquainted with social media - especially TikTok. In this day and age, it can be ridiculously difficult sometimes to not be able to log off for fear of being unable to keep pace with your contemporaries, and Devon has not been shy when it comes to voicing these concerns. I admire him for that. He's using his very personal social media presence to develop an easygoing relationship with his fans, new and old - where some bands or artists would use a team to maintain their social media, Devon makes sure that fans know
Devon is also a champion of his hometown of Forest of Dean. On its music scene, he told DIY, "There is none. There are about 5 bands under the age of 30 and we have all been in each other's line ups at some point! The only way you can really gig around here is by going to an open mic night and playing Johnny Cash covers to the old boys and regulars propping up the bar, which is how I cut my teeth playing shows. Absolutely lethal for trying to play original music though; you would clear out the room if you strayed from the old classics! The scene is well and truly dead, hence why everyone moves away or unfortunately often gives up. I am starting to see a few really cool younger bands coming up now though, and can only hope that people around here start to go to live music concerts again (as well as the raves!) when it’s safe to do so."
If you're a fan of other indie singer songwriters, like Alfie Templeman and Thomas Headon, or indie giants Circa Waves, I think you'll love Devon. He makes music with lyrics that hit home set to tunes that have everything the radio is looking for these days, with his own twist on it all. My favorites are "I DON'T WANT 2 B UR FRIEND," "TRUST ISSUES" (but especially the Live From Lockdown version, which really showcases his vocal capabilities), and "BELONG 2 U."
It's not long now before Devon breaks into the mainstream. He can be found on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Stream his newest single, "WHY DO WE WAKE UP? (BEFORE THE GOOD BIT)" and the rest of his discography wherever you listen to music now so you can say you were a fan of his before he absolutely blows up.