Janet Devlin – Emotional Rodeo

By starrymag | December 31, 2024

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Girly, country, emo.

Q) Since country music has always been such a big part of your life, who are some of your musical influences?

A) I grew up with: Hal Ketchum, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash, etc. I also loved bluegrass predominantly from the soundtrack of Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? I played it so much I had to buy it five times. [laughs] But in the past ten years I’ve listened to a lot of: Chris Stapleton, Blackjack Billy, The SteelDrivers, Jackson Dean, Lainey Wilson, Cory Marks, Zach Bryan and Morgan Allen. I’d say they’ve all played their part in influencing my sound.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new single/video “Red Flag.”

A) I dated too many dudes that were walking red flags. I got out of a three-year relationship that was littered with red flags… but I still stayed. But when that ended, I decided to manifest a “good guy” for a change. So, this was just me writing my itemized list for the universe to give me one! So, fingers crossed. [laughs]

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to – that we all ignore them in relationships?

A) I think most people have been in their fair share of bad relationships with not so great people which can wear you down and make you give up hope. Then, when real love does come around, we can end up running from it. Even sabotaging it. For fear of getting hurt again. So, I think that glimmer of hope is what people are connecting to.

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

A) It was easy, but it was long! [laughs] Kaity [Rae], Jamie [Sellers] and I only managed to write a verse, pre and chorus on the writing day. We cycled through so many ideas on the day before we landed on this one. But we ran out of time. In Australia I wrote the second verse and pre. Plus, I wrote a bunch of different ideas and melodies for the middle 8. When I came back, I hopped in the studio with Jamie to lay it all down in a demo. I keep a bunch of song ideas in my phone at all times. Some extremely fleshed out with loads of lyrics plus Dictaphone melodies and others that may just have the song title or payoff line.

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

A) For this album it was fully hands-on. I sat with the producer making “posh” demos of the tracks before we went to Nashville. By that I mean building the sounds using midi to create a guide for how I wanted it to sound. Then, out in Nashville I’d be giving my feedback for every song as we recorded it.

Q) Your album Emotional Rodeo is out now. What are some themes you will be exploring on it?

A) Since I wanted to make a contemporary country in the old timey way. I wrote songs for the era we’re living in – with online dating, ghosting and social media. I want the girlies to feel ownership of their womanhood in a society that tells us we lose value for every year that passes. For the guys who are fed up with being the breadwinner and just want to be looked after. But all in a fun way. I mean, I’m Irish so I can’t take myself too seriously. It’s in my bones. I also wrote about love and heartache which I haven’t written about since my first album over ten years ago.

Q) Which track on the album holds a special significance for you and what makes it so close to your heart? 

A) It’s probably the song that I wasn’t going to write and that was “Funeral For My Best Friend.” I wrote it with my mate Maddox Jones. It must’ve been the tenth song we’d done together when he asked, “What do you want to write about?” I was playing nonchalantly and listed a bunch of up tempo track ideas. Since he’s a friend, I was met with, “So you don’t want to write about the breakup you’re going through?” Noone else would’ve known about it. I’m glad he did. It was the day after the event. Everything was still raw. I was very much in the “spraying their cologne” and “sleeping on their pillow” part of the breakup. I’m glad I was able to write it when it was still raw and not a distant memory.

Q) With the album coming out, are you looking forward to performing certain songs live for fans to hear at future shows?

A) Yeah absolutely – I can’t wait to play “Catfishin”! I know it sounds sick with the band because we did it at the album launch. Also “Back to My Senses.”

Q) What do you hope lingers with listeners who explore Emotional Rodeo – either as a message or emotion?

A) That it’s okay to be loud. To be angry, emotional, goofy. To be you. Not everyone’s going to like it, but they’ll be envious of the fun you’re having!

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

A) Oh, Dolly Parton or Chris Stapleton!

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Aw it’s got to be Cory Marks!! He was my top listened song of the year with “Devil’s Grin.” I just love his blend of country and rock! Also, his voice is just perfect for the sound he’s curated.

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

A) Well, I wouldn’t have a career without them, especially since a lot of my music has been crowdfunded! But I also think my followers are some of the kindest, funniest people that have walked this earth! Social media has allowed me to get to know them and that’s been a blessing!

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

A) Thank you! Thank you for letting me live my dream for over ten years. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I’m forever in your debt!