We were lucky to catch up with Devin Baggett recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Devin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

A major risk in my life was leaving behind a stable career at Apple to pursue my passion for music full-time. I had been working for Apple as a software developer while producing music on the side, but as my skills and connections grew, I felt a stronger pull toward dedicating myself to music. It wasn’t an easy decision—there’s a lot of security in tech, and I had bills to pay—but I knew that if I didn’t take the leap, I’d always wonder “what if.”

The turning point came after I released a few tracks that started gaining traction, including my collaboration with Daniel Pinho on the track “Athon,” which was featured on Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance. The positive feedback led to more collaboration requests, and I quickly realized that balancing a 9-to-5 with music wasn’t sustainable for the growth I wanted. So, after being laid off from Apple for the second time, I turned down another job offer with a new team at the company and decided to fully commit to my music career.

I co-founded The Birdhouse Records with fellow producer Jay Bird and threw myself into producing, DJing, and building the label. While it was the right decision at the time, it wasn’t without challenges. There were moments of doubt, and music alone doesn’t provide a living salary, but I knew it was important to give it everything I had.

Now, I’ve grown a loyal fanbase, collaborated with amazing artists, and built a solid foundation for both my career and the label. However, due to adult responsibilities, I plan to re-enter the workforce once I feel that The Birdhouse Records and my music priorities are in a stable place. It was a huge risk, but one that has paid off in so many ways, and it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade.

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.

My name is Devin, though most people know me as Devloe, a DJ, producer, and co-founder of The Birdhouse Records.

My journey into music started at a young age, growing up as a “world-traveled military brat” exposed to a wide variety of cultures and musical styles. Germany, in particular, laid the foundation for my electronic music roots, while the Bay Area shaped the distinctive swagger that comes through in my music today. This diverse upbringing gave me a unique perspective on sound and rhythm, which I would later channel into my production and DJing career.

I earned my Bachelor’s in Sound Engineering from Expression College for Digital Arts, where I graduated as valedictorian. It was also where I met Ian Hicks—who, coincidentally, is the one who recommended me for this Canvas Rebel interview. We first connected over a game of Street Fighter II in the school cafeteria, and that bond has lasted ever since. Later, I pursued a degree in Finance, graduating summa cum laude, which provided me with the business skills—if nothing else—that have been crucial in managing my music career and labels.

Before fully committing to music, I spent nearly 20 years working in the cannabis industry, where I founded a dispensary and delivery service and developed one of the first secured online platforms for cannabis delivery. At the time, the software was state-of-the-art and sold as a service to some of the largest dispensaries in the state of California. I eventually transitioned into software development, working as a consultant in the cannabis space and later at Apple.

In 2021, after the birth of my daughter and a difficult breakup with her mother, I found myself in a place of emotional distress and personal reflection. The time I suddenly had to myself became an opportunity to rediscover my passion for music. I started releasing tracks in late 2021, and the response was encouraging. Tracks like “Athon,” a collaboration with Daniel Pinho, gained traction, and my music began reaching a wider audience. The positive feedback made me realize that my side passion could turn into something much bigger.

Over the next couple of years, I continued to build on this momentum, focusing on honing my production skills and growing my network of collaborators. During this time, I also began to think about how I could contribute to the music industry in a way that went beyond just releasing my own tracks. This led me to co-found The Birdhouse Records in 2024 with fellow producer Jay Bird. Our vision was to create a label that not only showcases innovative house and electronic music but also fosters a supportive community for up-and-coming artists.

At The Birdhouse Records, we push the boundaries of electronic music, offering artists a platform to experiment, collaborate, and grow. As a DJ and producer, I work across genres like tech house, bass house, future rave, and more, always striving to create music that connects with people on a deeper level. My background in both business and technology gives me a unique perspective, blending a structured, problem-solving approach with the creative freedom needed to innovate.

One of the proudest moments of my career was having “Athon” featured on Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance and receiving support from Ferry Corsten—another influential DJ and producer. That recognition validated my work and continues to motivate me to push forward, constantly seeking new ways to evolve and grow as both an artist and business owner.

What I want potential fans and collaborators to know is that my journey goes beyond just my own music—it’s about building a platform to share others’ music and help them succeed as well. Whether through my own productions or the work we do at The Birdhouse Records, I’m committed to innovation and fostering a community that showcases talent, both locally and, ideally, on a global scale. The path hasn’t always been straightforward, but the challenges have shaped who I am as both an artist and entrepreneur today.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that really highlights my resilience took place when I faced back-to-back layoffs from Apple. After years of balancing my music career with full-time work in software development, I was first laid off in 2023. It was difficult, as I enjoyed my role and the stability it brought. Fortunately, I was rehired a few months later on a different team, giving me a second chance. However, before I could fully settle in, I was laid off again in 2024 due to funding issues.

At the time of the second layoff, I was interviewing with another team at Apple and was all but guaranteed the job. But instead of taking the safer route, I made the difficult decision to turn it down and focus entirely on music and launching The Birdhouse Records. Rather than scrambling to secure another tech job, I saw this as the perfect opportunity to fully dedicate myself to what I’ve always been passionate about—being creative, whether through art, music production, or DJing.

The transition wasn’t easy. It required a lot of sacrifice and financial uncertainty, long hours, and a leap of faith into the unknown—but I stuck with it. Over time, my persistence began to pay off. Having my track “Athon” featured on A State of Trance and gaining recognition from other influential figures in the industry were huge affirmations of the path I’d chosen.

Resilience, for me, has meant making the tough decisions, staying focused on my long-term vision, and adapting to life’s unexpected turns. Those experiences have shaped my determination to keep pushing forward, both as an artist and a business owner.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A significant pivot in my life came after the birth of my daughter and a difficult breakup with her mother. I hadn’t always envisioned myself as a family man, but once I knew I was going to be a father, I mentally committed to that path. I was planning to build a life where I could balance my career with family responsibilities. However, after the breakup, I found myself in an unexpected position, suddenly having more time and emotional energy than I knew what to do with. It was a challenging and painful moment, and I had to reimagine what my life would look like as a single dad with limited access to my daughter.

That emotional void led me back to my passion for music, something I hadn’t fully pursued in years. With the extra time and a lot of pent-up creative energy, I dove headfirst into producing again. This pivot at the end of 2021 was the catalyst for releasing music, starting The Birdhouse Records with Jay Bird, and ultimately building a full-time career in music. What started as a painful personal shift turned into an opportunity to pour my heart and soul into something that had always been a core part of who I am.

The decision to pivot from the family life I had planned wasn’t easy, but it led me to where I am today—a place where I’m not only making music but building a platform to share it with others. It’s proof that sometimes life forces you to change direction, and that change can open doors you never expected.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devloe/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-baggett-31843b12/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Devloe
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/devloe
• Other: Spotify:
  https://open.spotify.com/artist/22p8phB0SmIByCeLCGPIGo?si=tiV092W_Rwa6CFGOvzyb2g

Image Credits

2 photos with the other person, are Jay Bird, the other owner/co-founder of The Birdhouse Records