Devin Kennedy
Devin Kennedy is a singer/songwriter/producer from Los Angeles.
Coming from a musical family, Kennedy taught himself the drums, guitar, piano and bass at an early age. After studying at the Berklee College of Music, Kennedy revealed his artistry to the world and released his debut EP “Love Language” in February 2018, followed by the singles “Waste of Time” and “Body”.
Influenced by the likes of Ryan Tedder, Max Martin and Ed Sheeran, the multi-talented artist unveiled his latest single “Bad Habit” on August 23rd.
Self-written and produced, “Bad Habit” paints an authentic sound fusing elements of r&b, pop and electronic.
“Bad Habit” is now available worldwide.
Introduce yourself.
Hey! I’m Devin Kennedy, I’m from Los Angeles. I love coffee and I have a cat named Jimi Hendrix.
What’s your story?
I’ve been lucky to live a musically-enriched life. My dad is a tv music producer/mastering engineer and my grandpa was a concert pianist. I started playing drums at a young age and picked up guitar, bass and piano as I grew up. In high school I started fronting bands. I did that for a while before going to Berklee College of Music where I fell deeper and deeper into pop.
Growing up, what were the things you were passionate about?
I’ve always had a deep passion for music, even when I was very young. Besides music, I loved doing anything creative, hanging with my family, friends and pets.
When did you know music had a special place in your heart?
It always felt right, I think it’s because it runs in the family. In middle school I played in a cover band that was curated by the school. I played this awesome drum solo in 6th grade and all my friends were blown away and I knew that that was what I wanted to do forever.
Could you tell us about your first experiences in the music industry?
In high school I was in a pop/rock band that did some regional touring and put out a couple albums. That was my introduction to the ever-evolving music industry.
Can you talk about your latest single “Bad Habit”? What’s the story behind it? Who wrote / produced it?
I think love has the potential to be our worst habit. Not always, but sometimes we have the tendency to pick up habits from people we love and spend a lot of time with. Sometimes those habits are negative, so the love that connects us is the true bad habit. I wrote and produced the song on my own at my home studio in LA. It came quick and easy and I’m really proud of it.
What is your goal for this new single?
As always, I want reach new people. I want them to be able to relate to the song, and draw positives from it.
What does music mean to you?
Everything. It’s what I do all day every day. It’s the fabric of my being.
How do you listen to music? What do you listen first? Is it the vocals or melodies or production?
I’ve thought about this quite a bit recently. I’ve always been melody leaning. It’s come to me easier than lyrics and I’m always a sucker for a melody that sticks in my head. I overanalyze everything I listen to, but I think that’s the nature of being a writer or a producer.
In your opinion, what makes a good song?
It has to stick with you in some way. Whether it’s a lyric, a melody, the singer’s voice, the meaning…it should have an effect on you. Some of us get goosebumps, some of us can’t fall asleep at night because it’s stuck in our heads.
Could you tell us one specific moment in your life where music made a huge difference?
I remember a time early on at Berklee College of Music, where I was unsure of the path I wanted to take in the business. I had learned a bit of everything but hadn’t really pushed myself in any particular direction. One of my classes asked me to analyze a Sting song “The Hounds Of Winter”. I was blown away by the production value, and the quality of the songwriting/performance. It helped me shape my path in the industry, I’ll always be inspired by it.
Who’s helping you shape your sound and your career?
All the amazing people I get to collaborate with. These days I’m writing/producing myself, but doing more and more work for other artists and bands. Being in the room with a lot of people means that you pick up lots of new influences and tricks.
As an artist, what message do you want to deliver through your music?
There are a lot of things that I want people to take from my music. Mainly, I want people to be able to let go for a moment and have an experience while they’re listening. I want them to be able to forget about what’s happening around them and focus on enjoying themselves.
Who are your biggest influences, in life and in music?
In life, my parents, my friends, my family. In music, writers and artists like Ryan Tedder, Max Martin, Ed Sheeran and more.
How do you want to be remembered for?
I want everyone to remember me for being kind. Kindness is something that’s deeply important to me.
What are you currently working on? Any upcoming project?
More music, for myself and for others! Some touring as well. Stay tuned!
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
More music…among other things.
What’s your purpose?
To be kind, to collaborate, and to make the people around me feel as loved as possible.
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