INTERVIEW W/ Devon: "I'm not painting myself as a perfect person"!

Rural Indie Pop songwriter Devon has long been one of our favourite melody makers in the UK. Back in 2022 he released his 7-track mixtape 'SOMEWHERE IN NOWHERELAND' which felt like the culmination of his growth since he first broke out in 2019. Now, Devon has spent time maturing as a songwriter and producer and has been running felt pelt in 2025 releasing three singles that mark a new project.

The latest of which 'THIS IS WHERE IM GOING TO DIE' is a poignant and contemplative Bedroom Pop track that blends his trademark bubbling electronics with a more organic acoustic sound and his most sensitive, vulnerable vocals to date. Ahead of his UK tour this November, which arrives in Manchester on November 14th, we caught up to chat about his development over the last few years, heading back on tour and what lies at the heart of his latest tracks...

Q. How do you feel you have developed as an artist in the last few years since you released 'SOMEWHERE IN NOWHERELAND’?

A. "I think that at ground level, I've just learned a lot more as a producer and songwriter. When you start out producing records there is a tendency to just keep adding ideas because they sound good, when in fact you're making songs too busy and not giving the song itself space to breathe. I feel like since SIN the production has levelled up. I'm still not recording in a big fancy studio, nor do I want to, but the sound is evolving and growing with me and my tastes, which is keeping me excited".

Q. Are there styles or lyrical themes that you're finding yourself drawn towards more in recent times?

A. "I found myself putting myself on the line more in this new project. I'm not painting myself as a perfect person. While the past releases have been quite reflective in a way, none of them really touched the subject matters that these new songs do. I think it's my most honest work, and it definitely doesn't paint me in the best light, but it is an honest light. I love that about it".

Q. What has happened in your life in the last few years that may have influenced your songwriting approach?

A. "I’ve started living more. From the age of 19 to about 25 I was pretty much just locked in a studio or touring, and I didn't care for anything else. In many ways I still don’t, and my drive remains the same, but the lack of living did eventually weigh on my mental health, so I took steps to have more fun and get out there. I met some really great friends in the last few years that have endlessly inspired me, be it if a song is about them or even if they just forced me out of the studio to live. If SIN was my break-up young love mixtape, this is my navigating through the adult life era mixtape.

Q. Can you tell us about the lyrical ideas in 'THIS IS WHERE IM GOING TO DIE’?

A. "It is anxiety personified. It's every anxious thought I've had towards the place I grew up in. It looks deeper at the feeling of not being able to escape and that you will never be more than the place you were born in. It's a familiar thought that plagues me day to day as an artist from the middle of nowhere. These B cities, Rural towns and anywhere that's not a major city has its own way of dripping into your subconscious and making you think you're bound to stay forever and that the life you want isn't realistic".

Q. How are you feeling about touring again this Autumn?

A. "I'm feeling good about it. Touring is the reason I do this. I got into this by doing live shows first, songwriting came after that. Every show has stepped up from the last, it's exciting to think about the future and how we can level things up again, so we will most definitely be doing that. The small team that I have assembled around the live shows really clicked into place in the last few years, and it's an absolute joy to be on the road with everyone.  They will be the biggest venues we have toured in yet. Many of them I've been to watch bands as a punter and always dreamed of eventually playing myself".

Q. What have been your past experiences of playing in Manchester? Is it a city you enjoy playing?

A. "Manchester has always treated me amazingly. Some of the most dedicated fans are from there, turning up to every show year after year. I really like Manny as a city in general. Every show we play, we usually make the trip over to YES, which is such a cool little place to just be in. Obviously, the city is dripping in musical history, so it kind of comes with its own pressure to perform that I like to set upon my own shoulders. It feels inspiring to have to stand up to all the incredible talent that has come through the city before me".

Q. How do you feel your live set will differ from the last time you

played in the city?

A. "Bigger, better. Even though I'm playing the same venue, I won't be giving the same show. We already set the bar when we played last time, bringing in our light show and set design, so I'm not just going to do that again. What that is, you’ll have to wait and see…".