Questions with introduces 1883 readers to the brightest young artists, actors, creatives and beyond. From childhood memories and guilty pleasures to their latest ventures and upcoming projects, our goal is to bring you closer to the people who inspire and entertain us.
Devon’s new mixtape WHEN THE WORLD GOES QUIET finds the UK artist in a more reflective space. Written mostly at night, the songs capture the kind of thoughts that surface when everything else fades out — guilt, confusion, and a bit of calm in between. Fresh off tour with McFly and heading into his biggest headline shows yet, Devon’s bringing that late-night honesty to the stage.
1883 Magazine chats with Devon about his new mixtape, his favourite film quote, and what comes next.
What’s one exciting thing that happened to you this week?
I have been writing with an artist that I work with on their project, and have been producing their new song, which is sounding really good, and I’m excited for people to hear it. Also, I’m well in the middle of rehearsals for tour at the moment, so that’s very much eating up my time in the best way.
What was the last thing you read?
I don’t really read, which is something I need to change. I have a book on my bedside table, I’ve been dipping in and out of for the last year, called Notes on a Nervous Planet. The last full book I actually read was one called Rats by Stephen King. It’s the second book I’ve ever read all the way through, which gives you some idea of my level of reading.
Favourite memory growing up?
Going to house parties with my mates almost every weekend of the summer I finished GCSEs. Between that and going to my first ever proper gig. I went to watch the Wombats play the O2 Academy in Bristol and thought I was going to die of heat exhaustion, but it was the most exciting thing ever and cemented the idea in me that I wanted to do this music thing properly.
Where was the last place you travelled to?
Unfortunately, it’s just London for a writing trip. I’m planning on going to New York soonish, though, which will be the first time I’ve left the UK since I was 12, which is nuts.
What was the last thing that made you laugh?
There’s a guy on Instagram who beat boxes and moans at the same time, and it kills me to send his videos to my friends and see their reactions. It’s so wild. Either that or a weird Shrek meme.
What’s your nighttime ritual?
I don’t really have one to be honest, I stay up probably too late if I’m working on something, and even when I’m not working, I’m probably binge-watching something too late. Usually just brush the teeth, skin care, fill up my tank of a water bottle and then hit the hay after some doom scrolling… no one’s perfect.
Who would be on your dream dinner party guest list?
Hayley Williams, Paul Dano, Alex Turner.
Favourite quote from a film or TV show?
“Robert better not get in my face, ’cause I’ll drop that mother fucker” – Step Brothers
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
I have never done it, but Still the one I want by Shania Twain.
Favourite item in your closet?
I have a dangerous coat collection, so it’s hard to choose, but right now I really love this 1990 Scottish football team track jacket that I got off eBay or my The Doors touring crew jacket, also from eBay.
What is the major throughline between all the songs on WHEN THE WORLD GOES QUIET?
I would say that it kind of follows a string of events I went through at the end of last year, and very much just shows me as a real person who makes mistakes and isn’t perfect. I think this is the most I’ve ever shown that in my music, and I feel very nervous, but also really confident that it’s the most authentic I’ve ever been.
What were your favourite moments from the recording process for the mixtape?
I feel like my creative process isn’t like what you might expect when bands are in a studio together, all laughing and joking around. It’s actually very boring, and if someone were to watch me, I’d feel like they would leave 10 minutes in. It’s a very slow process of just noodling around, then all of a sudden, if I’m lucky enough, il find a flow state and almost “wake up” to a finished song. There’s no better feeling when the idea has come together and you can listen to that first initial loop with a rough vocal or something, that’s my favourite part.
What was it like to support McFly earlier this year?
A dream come true for sure. I was always a McFly fan as a kid, so it felt very full circle. I’m so aware of how lucky we were to be playing shows that big because that’s not something people get to do all the time. I felt ready for it, though, and I felt the set felt at home, as that’s always been the ethos with building the live show
With your mixtape dropping on October 24, how will you celebrate on the day?
I will probably be rehearsing for the tour and getting in place that I haven’t sorted by then which sounds so lame but is also just the reality of touring and releasing music. The fun bit for me is over regarding the music release. My eyes will be on tour prep and making sure it’s going to be the best one yet.
How do you plan to make your November headline tour special, especially as these will be more intimate venues.
Well, we try and play every show like it’s an arena show, in everything from the set structure to the energy and the lights and stage decor. I go as far as I can within the boundaries of the size of the venue. With the tape release, life is extra busy at the moment, so a lot of that stuff is still to be figured out. Check back in a couple of weeks.
What’s on your rider for a show?
It’s very simple, but a lot of the lads are sweet lovers, so we have sour patch kids, wine gums, and Skittles. All the stuff that’s really healthy for you. As a crew, we aren’t big drinkers either. I don’t drink at all, so there’s a good amount of soft drinks and a couple of Red Bulls for the journey home. Some breadsticks and hummus also.
What’s the meaning of life, Devon?
To do whatever you want around whatever you need to do to survive, be nice to people, don’t be a dick, follow your passions to the end of the earth, no matter how weird, cause no one truly cares what you are doing with your life other than your loved ones, and they will love you no matter how wild the ideas. Just go. Get stuck in. Do whatever the fuck you want. People will gravitate to you, and you will end up inspiring people even.
Finally, what is one thing you would like to manifest for yourself and why?
To be able to create music for as long as I can. For myself and for other artists. I always wanted to be good at something, and when I realised that it was probably art/music, I locked in. I flutter between wanting to be great and just wanting to be able to pay rent.
Devon’s new mixtape When The World Goes Quiet is out now.
