Fool Proof

Jennie DeVoe is  an independent singer/songwriter with a soulful-blues-americana vibe whom Bonnie Raitt calls, "A great songwriter," and, "One of the most talented and hardest working musicians I know." DeVoe is a performer who connects with her audience like no other. Says Melissa Mayer of the Boone County Sun, "DeVoe's voice is a delicious mix of scratchy blues and sweet low notes. Her music is born of a unique marriage of folk and funk. She sprinkles in rhythm and blues sounds and a few well-chosen covers to create a great live show. She also manages to draw the audience in with her anecdotes and personal stories between each song. It's hard to attend one of DeVoe's shows and not feel like she's your personal friend by the end of the night." Fiercely independent, DeVoe has declined numerous major label offers, and produced four studio albums, two live cds, a Christmas album and a dvd on her own label, Rubin the Cat Records. SonyRED was so impressed with her last effort, the critically-acclaimed Strange Sunshine, that they offered her a distribution deal, bringing her to many new ears, while still allowing her to retain her artistic freedom. DeVoe is a prolific writer, with songs stuffed in drawers and often filling up her own voicemail with ideas. 

Radiator is DeVoe's 3rd collaboration with famed producer John Parish, best known for his work with PJ Harvey, Tracy Chapman, The Eels and most recently, KT Tunstall. DeVoe and Parish have developed a strong artistic working relationship that has fostered a unique sound with each of DeVoe's new albums. Parish also produced 2004's Fireworks & Karate Supplies and 2009's Strange Sunshine. The new recording features Parish on drums, guitars and accordion, Billy Fuller on bass (also Robert Plant's current bass player) , and DeVoe's own bandmates Brett Lodde on guitar, and Greg McGuirk on keys and accordion. Devoe began writing most of the songs on Radiator on guitar, ending up writing several on piano and organ, giving the record an underlying gospel-tinged flavor. It's filled with soulful melodic lyrical delivery from DeVoe with a 70's soul-infusion vocal sound reminiscent in flavors of  Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Amy Winehouse; all supported by a solid blend of retro surf/western-flavored guitar, a British back-beat, Lodde's solid rhythm guitars and McGuirks' piano, Hammond B3 organ and unique quirky Melotron parts that suit DeVoe's style to a "T."

A proudly independent artist, this will be DeVoe's first effort produced in part through a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign, with The Tony Stewart Foundation being one of the projects biggest supporters. DeVoe raised over 260% of her goal through the popular fan-funded website, which allows fans to pledge anywhere from $1 to $10,000 to a creative project, in return for rewards ranging from copies of the finished project, to private concerts in their living rooms. DeVoe, an Indiana-native, has built a rock-solid career without the backing of a major label--a conscious decision that has allowed her to remain independent and create music on her own terms.  Most recently, she was voted Best Local Musical Artist/Group in Indianapolis by NUVO Magazine readers, on the heels of being named one of Indy's top 50 "Entertainers of the Decade" by The Indianapolis Star.
 
