A Dirty Dozen with DEVON THOMPSON – October 2023

Photo credit: Jaxon Whittington

According to a recent press release: “Growing up in Los Angeles, Devon Thompson was an outsider and a lone wolf of sorts. Bullied and criticized as a kid for being an artist, overcoming these judgments helped guide her into being a stronger and more creative artist. In an effort to spare her the childhood cruelty, she moved schools multiple times which may have exacerbated that isolation but also helped turn her coping mechanism into a creative outlet. “When I struggle mentally, I use my writing for good and create stories where I can more positively influence myself,” she explains about the transformative power that her creativity has over past trauma. “Even if the concept is dark, it helps me so much to write about it, and write about it from someone else’s perspective.” “So Close” is for the people who love those moody, dark, intense, hot songs that make you feel almost feral and crazy… but in a good way,” explains moody, dark, and intense alternative rock artist Devon about her hot, feral and crazy new single, the follow-up to her critically-hailed single “Soft Like Water” from earlier this year. Now with a new single to launch more music planned, Devon Thompson is ready and gearing up for a busy 2024. “I have another single and an EP I am releasing in 2024 that I think really represent where I am at as an artist right now,” she concludes. “My goal is to share my music with people, connect everyone, and play TONS of shows.”  “So Close,” indeed.” We get Devon to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“So Close” has a very intriguing storyline. At first, you may not really get the message, but it’s a song with rich, dark poetry. If you actually listen to the lyrics, a couple times through, you may figure out what the story is actually about.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Music was always around me growing up, since my parents were big music fans. I think when I started singing around 7/8 years old, I didn’t think about playing an instrument. Until around 10, when I was idolizing certain musicians like The Wilson sisters from Heart and women who could play and sing. I started with guitar lessons, joined band camps, and the rest is history.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I had a very random music taste at that point, but one song in particular that I would play, at full volume in headphones, over and over again, was “B.Y.O.B.” by System of a Down. I listened to that song so much and just wanted to make music like that somehow.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would do a song with Jack White for sure. He is one artist I have looked up to for a long time. I am a huge fan of all of his work (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and his solo stuff). He is someone that I think understands the concept of how to write something real and authentic, while also making a catchy, palatable song.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

When it’s winter time, snowboarding. If I have nothing to do for music, I am gone in the mountains. It’s something that I need in order to balance stress.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I would describe it as raw, guttural, and ethereal, with a dark edge. I definitely don’t like when people refer to my music sounding like it’s only vintage or straight out of a certain era. I like to add vintage elements, while also adding modern flare. I don’t like to be stuck in one box.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Since I am a solo artist, my band changes in members sometimes. But I constantly play with my bass players Miles Knight, who would be the one who would do the cooking for sure. I would be the one to get the drinks in, and currently I don’t have anyone in my band who would do an acoustic guitar singalong. Everyone is pretty reserved when It comes to playing other music. We generally try to do anything other than music when we just hang out.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

The last time I was starstruck was when I saw Brittany Broski, one of my favorite content creators, at a Target. I generally don’t get starstruck by musicians really for some reason. But when it comes to comedians or actors, there’s something about it that’s different. But she is so funny to me and I love watching her, I was just so excited to see her in person that I didn’t even say anything.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is probably the moment when you and your band lock in together when you play live. Nothing is better than that feeling. If I could not longer be a musician, is probably be. A Forensic Psychologist and work with the behavioral science unit of the FBI. Something that has nothing to do with music.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted someone to ask me who are some people that I would want to collaborate with that doesn’t have to do with music. The answer for me is Tim Burton, I want to do something with him so bad (a music video, a short film, literally anything). I am tired of answering the question “what do you think your music sounds like” because I literally don’t know. It’s hard for me to convey my feelings and condense my answer into one sentence for some reason.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I do wish that I trusted my gut and didn’t let people’s opinions influence me as much when I was younger doing music. I am much different now, and I don’t let people’s hate stop me from making what I want to make.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would have wanted to be there for the making of Rumors by Fleetwood Mac. There is nothing more iconic than that album for me. Also because of the strife between the band members. I would have love to see how the interactions between them created such incredible songs.

DEVON THOMPSON LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews