Artist description Devon's music combines the passionate vocals of Paula Cole with the anger and intelligence of Ani DiFranco, interwoven with subtle undercurrents of Tool and Bad Religion. Middle Eastern-influenced melodies, tribal percussion, and distorted guitars intertwine to create a textured sound that would be just as at home on the Warped Tour as on Lilith Fair.

Music Style alternative rock

Musical Influences Paula Cole, Alanis Morissette, Ani DiFranco, Tori Amos, Liz Phair, Bad Religion, Tool

Similar Artists Paula Cole, Ani DiFranco, Alanis Morissette, Liz Phair, Tracy Bonham

Artist History Little girl. Big voice. These are the first thoughts that usually cross people's minds when they hear Devon for the first time. But after the initial shock of hearing such a huge voice coming from such a tiny frame wears off, the thing that people are most impressed with is not just Devon's voice, but her Voice. caged bird is Devon's eclectic debut CD, weaving tribal percussion, Middle Eastern melodies and distorted guitars into a textured backdrop for her powerful vocals. Drawing from influences as diverse as Paula Cole and Ani DiFranco to Tool and Bad Religion, the dark intelligence of Devon's music is a welcome departure from the saccharine songwriting currently saturating the airwaves. In a recent review of caged bird, Earbuzz.com said the CD is "a polished production of ... raw and blatant lyrical honesty," and called Devon's performance "brilliant ... compelling and disturbing." But the intensity of her live show eclipses even the passion of her recorded performance. Any questions about Devon's potential were instantly erased as soon as the curtain rose on her CD release show at The Roxy in May of 2000. Her blistering performance that night burned itself into the minds of all who attended, leaving many openmouthed at the fiery intensity summoned from her tiny frame. In addition to showcasing the songs on caged bird, Devon debuted three new songs that showed she is not afraid to violate conventional notions of what a female artist should sound like. More "Warped Tour" than "Lilith Fair", the scorching new tracks laid heavy distortion and thundering bass under Devon's soaring vocals, building to a fevered climax that left the audience breathless. With that one show, Devon instantly secured her place as one of the brightest up-and-coming female artists in the music scene today. In the short time since the release of caged bird, Devon's momentum has continued to build. In addition to playing some of the best clubs in Los Angeles, including The Gig (Hollywood) and House of Blues, Devon has taken her music worldwide through the innovative use of the Internet as a promotional tool. Her website, www.devonmusic.net, is a central focus of her promotional campaign, allowing her to reach thousands of people across the world. With fans from as far away as Belgium, Australia, France and Sweden, her music has proven to have international appeal. In addition to her web site, Devon's music can be found on over 70 other websites, with another 100 in the works. Her online exposure reaches beyond free-for-alls such as MP3.com, on which any artist with a modem and an MP3 can be found. She has been selected as one of only 30 artists (and one of only two in Los Angeles) out of an initial pool of over 1,500 bands to be a Charter Affiliate for DotClick.com. DotClick Charter Affiliates were hand-picked by an experienced A&R staff as the best of the best unsigned artists in the country. Devon has also been selected by Earbuzz.com for inclusion on the new SoundJam CD-ROM. SoundJam is the premier MP3 software for Apple computers, and the inclusion of Devon's music ensures that her songs will be exposed to virtually every music lover in the world who uses a Mac to listen to MP3s. Her other online distinctions include Artist of the Month on ycraze.com, and GoGirlsMusic.com's Cool Band Award (it's not quite a Grammy, but it's a good start). Her single "Sick To My Stomach" topped the alternative charts on Mpulse.com, a site which tracks the popularity of artists on the Internet, and she has spent the last six months in the Top Five on the WorldMusicCharts Alternative charts.. Plus, she was offered an endorsement deal for guitar strings from the Dean Markley Co. after first being seen on the Internet by one of their A&R representatives. As Devon continues to perform in and around Los Angeles, she keeps herself busy preparing new songs for her next trip into the studio. In addition to the nine songs she currently plays in her set, she has several new songs written and ready to record. She also stays active with social and environmental activist groups, with a portion of all proceeds from the sale of caged bird being donated to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In just the few short months since the release of caged bird, Devon has built the kind of momentum that propels artists rapidly to stardom. With her unique combination of pristine beauty, powerful vocals, and an edgy, groundbreaking sound, Devon has all the elements needed for a long and successful career.

Group Members Devon

Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass, drums, sitar, djembe, congas, darbuka, dumbek, flute, piano, violin

Albums caged bird

Press Reviews EARBUZZ.COM: Devon's 6-song release, "Caged Bird", is a polished production of this female alternative rock singer's raw and blatant lyrical honesty. It's apparent from the vocal delivery that Devon has no inhibitions when it comes to recording - and she winds in and out, up and down, performing her lines with a ferocity and passion. The long mp3 song here, "Daddy Dearest", represents her self-inflicted lyrical scalpel work (although credit for this song's inspiration is placed on someone else in the liner notes) - Devon writes 'i'm a fuc*, i'm useless, i'm worthless and i suck (*we disagree), these are just things my Daddy told me, things my Daddy said. . i'm a whore, and i'm a sure to end up with nothing in the end, i'm scattered, as if it mattered, that I can't keep my head on straight.' The tune winds on with more self-loathing and ends with the line 'and i always have to have the last word' - poetic if not personally painful. Compelling AND disturbing. Devon launches into a percussive ethnic feel with "Hiding", another self-reflective tune about hiding her own personality. Devon's vocals are featured in tune "Moderation", as her jazzy comping and ad-libbing performance is brilliant. The real highlight of Devon's voice is her willingness to cut loose - uninhibited and with risks that most singers would shy away from. And in that spirit, her record is reminscent of the edge that the late Janis Joplin would ride - and to a lesser degree Allanis Morisette (Devon's lyrics are deeper and more meaningful but her vocal tones do touch Allanis territory at times) . "Sick to my Stomach" is another illustration of Devon's vocal movements. Passion, angst, and sincerity abound as the tortured lyrics chime over a 40 second mp3'd clip, 'you devoured my skin, how could i let you in . . I, when I think of what never should have been, it makes my head spin, I get sick to my stomach'. Cool record.

Location Los Angeles, CA - USA

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