Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Devin Kennedy

Devin Kennedy is an artist on the rise and 2018 is a year he’ll never forget. He took a giant leap forward and began releasing his own solo music. Having previously written and produced for other artists, Devin is no stranger to making chart-topping hits that resonate with any listener. This year, he dropped four singles: “Body”, “Waste of Time”, “Bad Habit”, and “Feel the Same”, and music fans have been wanting more. We spoke with Devin about what inspires him, who’s had the biggest influence on his career, and what’s ahead in 2019.

PC: You just released a new single. Tell us about “Feel the Same” and the inspiration behind the song.
Devin: I’ve always been inspired by how the people around me (and myself included) perceive love, and how we give and receive love. It’s something that I’ve been learning more and more about with the people close to me, whether that be loved ones, girlfriends, past relationships, or current relationships, is that goals and success mean nothing if you don’t have someone to share it with. There are a lot of things we work for, at least for me, and I can’t really enjoy it to the full extent if I don’t have somebody to enjoy it with. That’s what I wanted to write about and something that’s really near and dear to my heart. I worked with a special collaborator of mine, Anthony Reeder, in Los Angeles to bring this song to life.

PC: 2018 has been a big year for you. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you? What’s been the biggest takeaway?
Devin: This is the first year that I really decided to push my solo music forward. I’ve been writing and producing for other people for a little bit now and I was finishing up school and doing a lot of different things. It’s been so exciting to see the great results. One of the biggest takeaways is that I learned how people listen to music, whether that’s online or in person, and how songs translate from my head and in the studio to their speakers, headphones, and heads. On the creative side, I’ve been chasing and learning what strikes a chord with listeners. How can I make someone feel something? How can I make them feel the same way I felt when I wrote this song? On a less creative level, how do people share music? How can I provoke someone to play it in their car for all their buddies after school? How can I make them want to share it?

I wouldn’t say there’s necessarily one defining moment for me this year; I just learned so much. I spent every day writing and pushing my music. I have no intentions of stopping and I’m excited to jump into 2019 with some more music and continue to move this all forward.

PC: What spurred that decision to start releasing solo music?
Devin: It’s always been a goal of mine. I did the band thing for a really long time when I was younger. Bands are really hard, especially when you’re coming out of high school and you’re around that age. People are going off to college and doing their own thing, and that left me in a weird spot. I always thought I would do the band thing, and then I was accepted to Berklee School of Music, which I just graduated from. It really opened my eyes to pop music. I’ve always had it in the back of my mind that it’d be something I’d do one day but I also wanted to be in a rock band. It shifted my whole world into the modern music industry.

Throughout college, I was working for other people, producing and writing. I also did some touring with a friend of mine, James Maslow, all while figuring things out. It’s always been on the horizon and the timing just felt right, so I spent the bulk of 2017 developing my sound and learning how to do it by myself. I didn’t have to rely on other people for a lot of it. I was fortunate enough to get to a point where I felt comfortable doing it on my own.

PC: As we head into 2019, what can fans expect from you moving forward? Do you have a couple goals that you want to accomplish next year? Are there any plans to hit the road?
Devin: I’ll be touring through the fall and finishing out the year with this single. Then heading in 2019, there will definitely be a lot of new music. Like I said earlier, I’m doing it all myself, so I have plenty of music ready to release next year. We can expect some new music in January, February, and more from then on. I’ve had four singles this year and I want to put out a bigger project at some point. On top of that, I plan to hit the road. We’re looking at potentially doing some touring with James Maslow, and I have a few friends who will also be touring for some festival dates.

PC: Is there a venue that’s on your bucket list to perform at?
Devin: Being that I was born and raised in L.A., The Forum has been a big one for me. That’s a little ways off right now, but that would be a defining moment for me. That would be one of those moments where you’re crying on stage, you know? That’s a goal. Another would be to perform at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York as a solo artist. I got to play that for Jingle Ball last year with James Maslow. It’s a legendary venue.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Devin: I’m majorly influenced by a mentor of mine named Pat Regan, who’s a producer/writer from L.A.; he’s taught me so much. He basically got me into Berklee and taught me how to produce. He’s had a major influence on my career and is still a collaborator of mine. I’ll actually be writing with him tomorrow!


Also, my parents are the most supportive, amazing people ever. My dad’s a guitarist, bassist, and drummer, and he’s a producer and mastering engineer. He had a huge influence on me growing up. We’re best friends.

In terms of musical inspiration, I love bands like All Time Low, Fall Out Boy, and Yellowcard. These days, I’ve been idolizing producers and writers that make all the pop songs that we listen to: Max Martin, Ryan Tedder, and Teddy Geiger—these incredible, talented people who would be a dream to write with.

PC: You play multiple instruments. You’re a producer. You’re a writer. You’re a singer. Is there one that’s more challenging than the others?
Devin: Piano! I always say that I wish I started on piano. Music really stems back to the piano in so many ways. I started on the drums because I liked hitting things and it was easy for me. Then, I slowly made my way over to guitar and bass. Bass came pretty naturally once I learned guitar. Then, when I got to Berklee, they made me take piano methods and all these insane piano courses. I barely passed by—I’m not a piano player. Of all the instruments that have come to me, that is not one that’s come easily. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure it out. It’s not something that connects for me, but one day, I’ll get there and then I’ll play some concerto for you all.

PC: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
Devin: There’s so much rejection in music, actually any industry for that matter. You’re working and you’re trying to get better each day, but you get a lot of no’s and I think it’s just about being persistent. That comes with time. Eventually, more people will start to care, more people will want to share your music, and more people will enjoy it. You just have to keep pushing until you get to that point, because it’s pretty tough in the beginning.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Devin: I don’t know if it’s necessarily a guilty pleasure, but I love 24. I’ve watched it like three times now. I’m on the last season again, which is just a ridiculous amount. We’ll call it a guilty pleasure because I’ve watched it so many times.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Devin: There’s a romantic comedy called Fever Pitch with Jimmy Fallon. It’s about how the Red Sox broke the World Series curse in 2004. It’s not a very well-known movie. No one really cares about it now, but when I bring it out everyone’s like “What, Fever Pitch?”

PC: Favorite book?
Devin: Scar Tissue written by Anthony Kiedis

PC: Do you have a favorite play or musical?
Devin: Rock of Ages. I saw it on Broadway and it’s better than the movie!

PC: First album you bought?
Devin: So, I have two answers for this. The first album that I truly fell in love with and is still one of my favorite albums to this day is Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. My dad technically bought it for me because I was too young. The first album that I bought with my own money was The School of Rock soundtrack. I was living on the east coast at the time and I played it all the way home on my Sony Walkman. It was legendary.

PC: First concert you attended?
Devin: Paul McCartney at The Staple Center in L.A. Credit to my dad again! [laughs]

PC: An album that changed your life?
Devin: Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. It’s one of those albums that inspires you to create your own music.

PC: Someone you would love to collaborate with in the future?
Devin: On a creative side, I’d love to write with Ryan Tedder and Max Martin. They are my top two favorite songwriters, ever. That would be an honor. On an artistic level, I love to collaborate with Kacey Musgraves. Our genres don’t necessarily match, but she has one of my favorite voices ever. I want to sing with her on a track—that would be so amazing.

PC: Is there a band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Devin: Dan + Shay. I’m referencing a ton of country now, but yeah. I’m not usually a country guy. I would actually say that Kacey Musgraves and Dan + Shay are about the extent of my country listening at this point, but I love Dan + Shay. I will listen to those songs all day.

PC: Hidden talent?
Devin: I’m good at cooking. It’s a creative thing for me. I like spicing things. I like trying new things. It usually turns out alright or horribly.

Make sure to follow Devin on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and subscribe to his YouTube channel. Plus, pick up his singles on iTunes or Amazon Music.