Deva St. John – Preacher

By starrymag | July 1, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) It’s a bit of a mix! 90’s/00’s alternative and classic rock especially – though every song is inspired by something else. The general vibe is grunge/stoner, classic and emo/pop-punk.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Oh man, there’s too many to list! Alanis Morissette, Aerosmith, Blind Melon and Paramore definitely come to mind. I also really adore the structure and production of Twenty One Pilots, Beck and AWOLNATION. I’m also a huge fan Jack White. Again, a bit of a mix!

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Preacher.”

 

A) So, “Preacher” was written during the Brexit / Trump hellscape. Everyone was arguing and spouting each side’s overused rhetoric. It was embarrassing and ridiculous. I imagined an “overlord” type of character – watching it all happen, fanning the flames of controversy and grinning maniacally. Everything going according to plan. I also thought about how our relationship with money has turned into that of a cult leader / cultist. “You’re nothing without me / I’m the only thing you can rely on” etc., etc. This overlord, basically, is the personification of material wealth. Our society is his cult of money and there’s no reasonable way out. He’s the “Preacher” – and he has an especially intimate relationship with our world leaders.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) Well, we’re all taught that capitalism is our only option. So, it’s a song that we can all relate to! Being trapped in a rotting system and having no idea what to do about it. The only thing I feel I have any power over is the public narrative. We can at least contribute to the criticism and discuss a reasonable change.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The idea for the video was material power vs spiritual power (not necessarily religious power, but emotional power, compassion, motivation – human stuff.) Money is meaningless without our ability to place human importance on an inanimate object. A little kid – using their heart alone – can place so much importance on a blanket. In doing so, the blanket begins to affect the world around it. If anything were to happen to it – if it were to get lost or damaged and then found and fixed – that can profoundly affect the little kid. Without perspective, they might feel worthless without the blanket. When, in fact, the blanket is worthless without them.

So, spiritual power will always be more potent than material power. The suits stood for nothing meaningful, so had nothing meaningful in their arsenal to defend themselves with. The rebels; however, needed nothing except the knowledge of their power – so were able to defeat the suits without breaking a sweat.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Not usually. I’ve written on piano and ukulele before, but I’m not a particularly proficient musician – so those songs are a little simple. Often, I’ll come up with the lyrics and melodies and have a rough idea of the production in my head. Lately, I’ve been trying to get the production ideas down onto a demo before bringing the song to the band. In the past, my boyfriend and I have worked out the chords on guitar and brought that to the band. From there, the band have written parts to accompany the guitar. If I have an idea for a particular guitar line, piano part or drumbeat – I can sing that to them and they’ll usually be able to smash it out. I’m very lucky to have such talented friends!

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I love producing. I’m becoming more and more involved with each release.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) Aw man, that’d be so cool. It’s just a case of money, really. It’s a lot smarter to dunk a bunch of money into a single and publicize the shit out of it than stretch yourself thin on an EP. As soon as a label throw some cash at me – an EP is at the top of my list!

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, what do you miss most about being on stage?

 

A) Everything. I miss the audience – how much fun they all are. I miss props and headbanging and sweating. The drinks after! I can’t wait to get back to it.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I really adore Sofar gigs. They’re way more laid back, but the audiences are super engaged and the people you meet there are usually very cool. There’s also a local venue called Purple Turtle which is – in my opinion – the heart of Reading! It’s a sticky-floored, punk dive. Old rock posters are plastered all over the walls and there’s a deck full of stoners in the garden. I love that place.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Aw man… anyone I mentioned when you asked me who my influences were!

 

Q) What advice do you have for fellow up and coming musicians? 

 

A) To be honest, I’m not really in a position to be giving advice. I still don’t know whether I’m doing it right! I haven’t compromised myself yet, though – and I’m not planning to. I guess that’s the best piece of advice anyone can give anyone. Stay true to yourself and keep plugging away.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media is a great place to either express yourself authentically or portray how you’d like to be perceived. Having your favorite actors, artists and influencers be so accessible is pretty amazing. Though it’s also easy to fall into that comparison trap of “they’re just like me – so why haven’t I achieved what they’ve achieved yet!?” Social media is great if you know how to use it effectively and productively, though it’s a rabbit hole to self-destruction if you don’t know who you are yet and you don’t know how to step away from it and reflect.

I really love Patreon because it’s about nothing except pursuing your passion and contributing your work. Instagram and TikTok can be creative platforms, but there’s also that other self-obsessed and inauthentic side that a lot of people have to suffer through.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you so much for being here and supporting the music! You rock. I’m working really hard to make you proud and I can’t wait until I can see you again.