Northern Irish singer-songwriter Janet Devlin has made an electrifying return to music following the release of her fiery new single, ‘Emotional Rodeo’.
Having already reached #31 on The UK Top 40, the singer-songwriter is poised for the next stage of her musical journey ahead of the unveiling of her brand new country album later this year!
We caught up with Janet to talk about being influenced by Red Hot Child Peppers, embracing new genres and the story behind ‘Emotional Rodeo’…
Hi Janet! How has your 2024 been so far?
It’s been intense but in the best way possible! I’ve just had my head down for the first bit to get everything ready to start dropping tunes. Exciting to get back into planning music videos and songs.
Your collaboration with Ben Earle of The Shires, and Kaity Rae resulted in a dynamic fusion of musical influences. How did this collaboration come about, and what was it like working with such talented individuals to bring ‘Emotional Rodeo’ to life?
So I’d worked with Kaity a fair bit before. I love everything we’ve ever written together. We were booked in for a session and on the day the other writer had cancelled. So she gave Ben a call and he agreed. Luckily I didn’t know until I was on my way otherwise i would’ve been super nervous haha. It’s always a dream working with Kaity as I’m such a fan of her writing and what she brings out of me. With Ben it was an amazing surprise to have him there! I’m a big fan of his writing in the shires and it was awesome to work with such a talent!
The song draws from the fiery spirit of Red Hot Chili Peppers and the soul-stirring melodies of country legends like Chris Stapleton. How do you navigate blending these diverse influences into a cohesive sound, and what do you hope listeners take away from this musical fusion?
It’s incredibly difficult to put into words. With this track I just chucked a bunch of buzz words at the musicians in Nashville and hoped they’d be able to understand what I meant! I wanted rock but still playful. An aggressive but fun way of taking ownership of my BPD etc. Of course the got it as they’re truly unbelievable players. Not only did they nail it but they got the vibe on the first take!
‘Emotional Rodeo’ is a reflection of the highs and lows of living with BPD, showcasing both the intensity of love and the fear of abandonment. How important is it for you to share your personal experiences through your music, and what impact do you hope it has on listeners who may relate to your struggles?
The emotional pain of BPD (and there’s a lot of it) I saved for the ballads on the record. As loving with borderline is quite honestly one of the most painful things I’ve been through. With this song I just wanted to own it. Not shy away from the fact that I’m hard to handle and in fact, I’m actually warning potential suitors about it. I wanted this song to reach my fellow crazies. Not even just people with BPD but people who love too hard and drive themselves crazy in the process. To listen to it and have that feeling of “oh I’m like that”. But to know that it’s okay.
Recording your album in Nashville must have been a surreal experience. Can you share some memorable moments from your time at Blackbird Studio, and how do you feel this environment influenced the sound and vibe of the album?
It was the experience of a lifetime. Something I’d always dreamed of but didn’t think possible. Obviously, it was nerve wracking. It’s in those moments I’m reminded that I’m just a little no body from the middle of no where in Ireland. But in the best way. To get to work with world class musicians like that in one of the best studios in the world was mind blowing. Not quite as mind blowing as how lovely they all were. They were so kind and complimentary of the songs I’d written and of my voice that it definitely put me at ease a bit. What I wanted to capture for a lot of the tracks was this element of fun that I haven’t had before. When I started this album – that’s what I wanted. Fun. I sure as heck got it. Not only were they a laugh to be around but they all brought so much authentic character to the tracks. In the week that I was there I had so many jumping up and down with joy moments. To get to watch your songs get played live and recorded in front of you is truly something else!
Transitioning from folk-pop roots to the heartfelt narratives of country music showcases your versatility as an artist. How do you approach this evolution in your sound, and what challenges did you face in embracing a new genre while staying true to your artistic identity?
To be honest, it’s in this album that I truly found my identity as a writer and artist. Before this I’d rarely step into uptempo tracks. Sticking more to sharing the over emotional side of myself. On this record i wanted to show all the colours of myself. I love nothing more than joking around and having a laugh. I just didn’t know how to capture it. But truly I think it has something to do with the work I put in outside of my career. I heavily invested into finding out what was going on with me – leading to my diagnosis of BPD, bipolar and adhd. Through getting medicated correctly, I’ve been free to have fun again in life. That freedom, luckily, has now translated into my sound.
In addition to your musical endeavours, your compelling journey was captured in the 2022 BBC documentary “Janet Devlin: Young, Female, and addicted”. How do you balance sharing your personal struggles with maintaining your privacy, and what do you hope viewers took away from your story?
When it comes to sharing the dark corner of my mind, I’m surprisingly comfortable. The message of the documentary is much bigger than myself and my story. It’s about getting the message to people that recovery is possible. It’s for everyone. That if I can do it, anyone can. I truly was a lost cause at a point in my life. But I remembered how much others sharing their stories with me had changed my life. When I got sober
Following the release ‘Emotional rodeo’, and your upcoming performance as a special guest at Russell Crowe’s Dublin show, what are your hopes and aspirations for this new chapter in your career?
I always believe in aiming high. “If your dreams don’t scare you, you’re not dreaming big enough” is what I live by. I just want this record to do well and to have a laugh along the way. I’d also just love to continue making country music. I’ve never felt so at home making music before – so I want to keep that going. Also I’d love to get successful enough to move back home. When you’re doing well, you can live anywhere. So I’d just love to get some animals, land and build a studio – but also be near my family.
Listen to ‘Emotional Rodeo’ here.
