We were lucky to catch up with Britt Devens recently and have shared our conversation below.
Britt, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I was graduating college and I knew it was time for me to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life. I was stuck in a relationship that was not very healthy for me and I was about to take a job in the field that I studied in my hometown. But before I did that, I decided to take an impulsive trip to Arizona to visit my best friend. When I got there I played some open mics and then found myself booking a few paid gigs. I had never really been compensated with money for my art, only food and beer so after I came home from that trip, I decided to pack my things and move away from home to see what could come of this dream. Although I have not fully committed to making music my full time job, I am very proud of how far I have come since those days of wondering if I could ever really do this as a professional. Just because I don’t do it full time, if you’re playing paid gigs to put into your music fund, hiring musicians to accompany you, recording and creating, building relationships with venues and talent buyers, believe it or not, you actually can pass as a professional! My girlfriend told me earlier this year when I was having a day of self doubt about my songs, “if everyone could write songs, they would, Britt.” And I guess she’s right, I have a special gift and I am just going to keep following the music and see where it takes me. I would’ve quit a long time ago if it wasn’t just in my blood.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I am a self taught guitarist and singer songwriter. I first started writing poems that eventually found their way to my dad’s six string guitar I found when I was in my teenage years. (I found it in the garage and still have it– it’s a 1965 Gibson!) I grew up playing fast pitch softball and am a lover of all sports. I remember going to softball tournaments for the majority of my childhood and young adult years and I am not sure if I was more excited for the games, or the fact that I got to listen to my walkman in the back of the van for the long drive or sometimes plane ride that we were on. I have always seen the world through music, all of my milestones have a theme song to them! And almost every love I’ve had, I’ve written about it. What would the world be without music? It’s the one thing that we can all resonate with I think. I am also a huge mental health advocate and really besides the fact that music is very therapeutic for me, sharing it with real live humans in an intimate setting, can be incredibly moving for myself and the listeners and I think that’s why I have delved back into it again after taking a small hiatus. I try to relate with people and share my struggles because I know it is something that isn’t always the easiest to talk about. I write songs of hope, heartbreak and recovery. I just tell stories through my words. Nothing too complex, just my experiences. I should add that I gave up substances a while ago and I am grateful for the support and healthy outlets that I have been tethered to since then. I truly think we need to talk more about our struggles so that the stigma of addiction and mental health will one day deteriorate. Just like we have physical health, our mental health needs just as much attention, if not more. We must allow ourselves to take days off, to disconnect, and to just be human. If you are struggling, I hope you find peace and the suffering ends soon. I am sending you my love.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to keep sharing my stories and connecting to musicians and listeners within the community. To keep re-inventing myself as an artist for as long as I can and take my music around the country hopefully soon. I am not in this to compete or take on the world, although it is difficult not to compare and obsess thanks to social media. But I just want to always be honest and genuine and the only way I know how to do that is to just keep following the music and to keep trusting the process. I do a lot of mindfulness and I practice gratitude and the more I do that and take breaks from social media, I remember exactly why I keep choosing to continue my journey as a musician. It is the feeling you get when someone tells you that your story or song helped save them or inspire them…and I never would’ve fathomed that me sharing my story could have that effect on anyone but you just never know who’s listening and what they’re going through during that time, so share your art! I think that’s the most beautiful thing about music, you never will know if a song you wrote and second guessed will somehow find its way to someone who needs to hear it until you release it into the universe. So go for it. I think timing is everything in this life, which means to me, it’s never too late to take a risk on something you love.
In your view, what can society do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Keep sharing music. Come to shows, share social media posts and songs. Follow them on Spotify and buy merchandise from them. Go to local venues and reach out to see how you can support! We need art to keep the world spinning and to heal. It is just as therapeutic as Mother Nature. And those two things together, as well as moving our bodies, can do a hell of a lot for us for a pretty cheap price!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brittdevens.com
- Instagram: brittdevensmusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/brittdevensmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJz6Sm7JrqsNpntFMnzX2g
- Other: Look for my 10 track full band studio LP coming in 2023!
Image Credits
©2022 Megan C. Willhite