Meet Devin Kennedy: Pop Artist On The Rise

Meet Devin Kennedy: Pop Artist On The Rise

Rising singer-songwriter and producer Devin Kennedy is certain to leave a lasting impression on the pop music scene and beyond.  Brand new songs such as Hurt U and Sundress are absolutely memorable while another recent standout tune No Worries has half a million plays on Spotify and counting.  In addition, Devin Kennedy has found himself songwritinf and/or producing with the likes of Ben Platt, EBEN, Jake Miller, Alex Aiono and more.  Highwire Daze recently caught up with the massively talented Devin Kennedy to find out more about his amazing songs, his impressions of the local Los Angeles music scene, creating while in the midst of a pandemic, and other intriguing topics.  Read on…

What was the name of the very first song you wrote, how old were you, and what was the song about?
I started unofficially writing songs when I was really young. They didn’t have titles or real lyrics though, mainly just a ton of melodies. I remember singing this melody over and over again when I was in elementary school. I would sing it in the shower, at school, around the house. I think it had the lyric “America” in it somewhere haha.

What do you think of the local Los Angeles music scene pre-pandemic and did you play in any of the local venues out here?
I love my local scene. I grew up playing LA and Orange County-based venues, first in bands and then with my solo stuff as well. I miss live shows but hopefully, the LA scene will be back and thriving again soon.

Is there any overall story or concept behind the recent single Sundress?
Yes. In relationships, there are always a few memories that seem to stand out from the rest for me. Sundress was written about a specific moment, with a specific person, walking along the beach in California. It was one of those moments that left me thinking “This has to be a dream because this is too perfect.”

The Sundress video is so unique and inventive. What was the easiest and not so easiest part about doing that video? Maybe the flying dress? And who directed it?
The flying dress was absolutely the hardest part of the video to execute. It definitely took some movie magic to create the final product. Luckily my insanely talented friend Evan Hara who directed the video had a vision for this video and executed it perfectly.

Another recent song release is Hurt U – what inspired the lyrics for that particular song.
With Hurt U I wanted to take real moments from my life and tell an authentic story about falling in love…but not that light/easy-going love…real love that’s emotional and heavy.

How did your collaboration with Caroline Kole come about on Mean To Me?
Caroline and I met in early 2020 when she was in LA filming for NBC’s Songland. I had the pleasure of writing/producing a few songs for the show, so we were introduced after one of their full days of filming. Caroline is unreal talented, and we hit it off, so I knew it was only a matter of time till we were able to collaborate on something. I sent her the song in December of last year and she was immediately into working on it together.

What has it been like to write and release new music in the middle of a pandemic and all of the social unrest in the world?
As an independent artist, releasing the music is similar to how it’s always been. Since we can’t tour, the promotional side of the industry has changed to be very digital (Tik Tok..etc.), so that’s been an interesting process to dive deeper into during the pandemic. In terms of writing, though we’re living in pretty dark times, staying creative and writing music has kept me sane through this period. And I’d like to think that me staying consistent in dropping songs has maybe kept a few listeners sane as well.

What was it like working with Jake Miller in a producing and/or writing mode?
Jake is the best. Not only is he an artist who knows exactly what he wants, but he knows how to surround himself with talented and loyal collaborators. It’s always a pleasure to work on a Jake Miller song.

What could one expect from a live Devin Kennedy show?
One could expect different, dramatic live arrangements of my songs. I want fans to walk away from a Devin Kennedy show surprised and excited for the next time I announce a show in their area.

If you could open for any band or artist either now or from the past, who would it be and why?
I would love to open for John Mayer. I’ve listened to his music for as long as I can remember and he’s a massive influence of mine.

What do you hope 2021 brings for you and for the music world in general?
I hope that 2021 brings hope and positivity to all. The last year has been rough, so I’m hoping that it’s all uphill from here.

Any final words of wisdom?
Sending love and good vibes to anyone reading this!

(Interview by Ken Morton)

Devin Kennedy on Facebook