Devon’s a self-made artist from a small village in the Forest of Dean, known for his DIY, bedroom-produced sound and raw, honest lyricism. His latest single, ‘THIS IS WHERE IM GOING TO DIE’, is a brutally honest anthem for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in their hometown. Ahead of his biggest UK headline tour yet, Devon opens up about imposter syndrome, small-town pressure, and why doing things his own way was never up for debate.
‘THIS IS WHERE IM GOING TO DIE’ is a powerful title. What made you choose to frame your inner anxiety so directly in this track?
It’s always been a bit of a muse for me. If you have grown up in small town or village I think you are kind of born with that anxiety, and the second you’re old enough to realise there’s a world on the outside it can feel constricting. It’s just a natural feeling of early adulthood, mixed with wanting to be something bigger than yourself. That’s always been the goal since I was young, so maybe those feelings weighed a little harder.
You’ve built your sound from your bedroom in the Forest of Dean. How has growing up in a small town shaped the music you make today?
It forced me to learn pretty quickly that nothing ever happens by itself. If I wanted to make stuff that’s on the level of the people I was listening to I had to teach myself and make mistakes, I wasn’t just going to just play at an open mic night and find a manager who would get me in with the coolest producers in London or LA. It’s been very much like taking a scenic route, but I’m proud that I’ve learnt so much. Now I feel pretty bulletproof when it comes to having the ability to write, record, produce and mix my songs myself.
This new track hits with raw honesty. Was there a specific moment or memory that inspired the lyrics?
I’ve had so many moments in my life that have inspired it. There’s been so many ups and downs in my life with music, too many to count! Overall I’ve always had a niggling voice that likes to pop into my head no matter what I have achieved to say “This isn’t meant for someone like you”, “Get a normal job and stop shooting so high”. The classic imposter syndrome feelings you might get when you come from somewhere so far removed from the music industry.
You’re about to headline Colours in Hoxton—how does it feel to go from watching shows as a fan to leading the stage yourself?
It feels cool to see the venues creeping up in size each year. It’s been a long process, but it’s a positive progression for sure.
You’ve toured with massive names like Olly Murs and Anne-Marie. What lessons have you taken from those experiences into your own shows?
Those were wild shows. If I’m honest, I never thought I would be supporting such big hitters in pop when I come from a more indie background, so it was a surprising but exciting opportunity. It was an awesome learning experience to watch them do their thing, and it also felt pretty cool knowing I would be going up and playing music that might sound a bit different to what they were about to play to their crowds. My ethos from the very beginning has always been to put on a show that feels as big as possible, no matter the venue. So in a weird way I actually felt very at home at those shows, I felt prepared.
Your songs often explore themes of mental health, isolation, and identity. How do fans connect with that vulnerability during live shows?
It’s very special to see. Even from the very first tour, when we were playing to less than 50 people a night, they all knew every lyric to every song. I’ve played house shows and got to have some nice conversations with some amazing people. It always takes me aback if someone tells me how much the lyrics mean to them, it’s not something I really think about when I’m writing.
From DIY beginnings to supporting McFly for 40,000 fans—what’s been the biggest “pinch me” moment so far?
I think I would be lying if I didn’t say the first Anne Marie show. I’ve always planned for big venues when building the show. It was truly nothing but excitement, but it didn’t stop that little drop in my stomach when I pulled up to the backstage area and saw the stage looming!
You’ve got a new mixtape in the works. What can fans expect—more sonic experimentation, more confessions, or a new direction entirely?
It is a different sound, more refined, more mature I think. The subject matter is very confessional and probably shines a light on parts of me that aren’t the best, but I love that. It feels real. It’s the most authentic I’ve ever been in my writing, and I hope people can find some relatability in it.