Interview with Deanna Devore & Evie Joy
Deanna Devore and Evie Joy are coming to The Fire TONIGHT, November 14th at 8pm! Check out this pre show interview we did with them can come out to see them live this evening!
DEANNA DEVORE
Q: Have you ever been to Philadelphia or played in the city before? What have you heard about Philly?
A: No I haven’t, I know there is a good university in the city and Philly cheesesteaks. That’s all I’ve really heard!
Q: Growing up, was music always something you knew you wanted to pursue?
A: Music was always something I did as a kid, I was always recording in my basement after school. I always knew I wanted to do it but the music business can be really tough and I was waiting for the opportunity to come. It’s always been something I loved and wanted to pursue.
Q: Listening to you latest album, there is a great mix between singer-songwriter tracks and electronic downbeats, is that something that came naturally? Do you see a lot of your influences factor into your music creation?
A: I have been doing a mix of the two for a while now, all three of my albums have been like that. This recent one does have more of an RnB/jazz influence, but I really like the combination of the real instrumentation verses electronic music. I like more of the downtempo, relaxed beats than EDM.
Q: What has the response been like for the EP?
A: Yeah, it seemed pretty good! We are still getting press on it and still pushing it. I’ve heard a lot of great stuff about it so I’m excited. Im going to be working up a new single that will be released in the beginning of the new year.
Q: What kind of music do you listen to regularly? Do you listen to the same genre that you create in?
A: I grew up listening to all types of music, my parents showed me a lot of older music and I used to listen to a lot of jazz which I think influenced my sound. The stuff I listen to now is electronic, RnB and new soul. A lot stuff from out of London and Europe.
Q: What is your song writing process like? Do tracks just come to you or do you sit down with the goal to create more music?
A: I never plan to write a song, I usually start by sampling on a guitar or keyboard and then I’ll hear a chord progression. Once I get that I’ll start humming a melody over it and then I usually save lyrics to the end.
Q: What is your favorite thing about performing live?
A: It depends on the show, I’m bringing a band with me on this tour so it’s nice to have the songs emulate the recordings. The songs are being brought to life, they still sound like the recordings but have that live, raw feel. It’s nice to hear what I created back to me in a live setting and also have a connection with the audience.
Check out Deanna Devore on her Facebook page and Instagram!
EVIE JOY
Q: When did you start playing music and performing?
A: I started performing when I was very young. My mom used to take me to the doctor's office near by where she worked as a nurse and have me sing songs to the doctors. Then that continued as I got older, I started singing in church and I learned how to sing opera from a teacher in town!
Q: What has been your favorite venue to play?
A: Comedy venues have been great, the audience is so engaged and normally that freaks comedians out but as a musician, that is your best bet! I have been pretty successful with comedic songs as well as my serious songs and they are great to perform there. I’m definitely going to be writing more!
Q: When writing your own music, do you typically draw from inspiration from bands you like or try to create you own individual sound? Who are some of your biggest influences?
A: I think everyone tries to create their own individual sounds, I draw inspiration from Sarah Bareilles. She has been a huge influence, her music is wonderful and her emphasis on words is something that I find very refreshing. Jazz is a huge influence as well, I sing jazz all around NYC at little clubs, I have a couple of residencies where I sing and perform every month.
Q: Was music something you have always wanted to do or have you found a love for it over the last however many years?
A: It was always something I did, I’ve done it ever since I came out of the womb. They said I was humming when I was born and after some tragic experiences in my childhood, music was something that I always used to help me cope and to heal. It’s my only true love, even though the industry can be tough at times.
Q: "Expiration Date" came out at the end of October, what has the response been like? Are you currently working on any new stuff that fans can get ready for?
A: The response has been really great, really well received! It’s fun because the video for the single is a coded video. It’s kinda got political message, not only i do find a Trump hat in my ex boyfriends apartment but its also hinting that he is a representation of trump in that he has cheated and lied, now I’m taking back the house! There’s a lot of hidden things in there so people should definitely check it out and see what they can catch! I have some new singles that will be coming out in the next coming months. I have one in particular that we are revving up for that will be coming out in the next quarter and others that will follow in the second quarter.
Q: What is the best part about performing for a live audience?
A: When you can find a connection and you have to improv as things go along. I used to hate mistakes but now I’m starting to be okay with it and just go with it. The fact that you can change things up as you go and get some laughs, especially when I’m doing comedy, its the best feeling.
Q: We can't wait for the show tonight, what can fans expect?
A: I will be doing some musical comedy and ukulele rap, ill be looping and new singles that can only be heard live right now.
Check out Evie Joy on her Facebook page and website!
The show is TONIGHT at 8pm! Link to event page HERE
Stay up-to-date on all The Fire news and events here: https://www.firephilly.com
By Jackie Karlsson
