Centerstage - Chicago's Original City Guide

Articles Sections >> Arts + Words Bars + Clubs Dating Festivals Fitness Food Lifestyle Music Theater Travel + Tourism Who's Who > View All Arts and Words Food and Drink Music

Beckoning the lonely people.

Friday Jul 29, 2005.     By Jacob Knabb

Who's Who Feed

Devin Davis is a really nice guy. He's polite, courteous, and, with the trusty assistance of his mop-top, has the kind of clean-cut good guy look that's gotta garner him much love with the mothers in his life. But behind his trusty guitar, this all-American boy-next-door morphs into a bespectacled dervish, with arena-sized hook and a brass section sweating hard to keep up.

His debut album on Mousse Records, "Lonely People Of The World, Unite!," straddles the line between post-punk indie pop and '70s throwback guitar rock. Davis' voice nearly crackles as it kicks into the upper register on tracks like the standout opener, "Iron Women." And his lyrical acumen is, shall we say, well developed. Davis never resorts to bland song titles or cliched imagery, and his lyrical conceits move quickly, rewarding multiple listens.

Live, the energy is ratcheted up even more by the fact that, unlike the album, Davis loses his acoustic guitar and plays all electric, while his ensemble of talented area musicians supplies a backdrop for his J. Mascis-gets-smacked-upside-the-head-by-Jimi-Hendrix guitar licks. The sound is big, and Davis elevates his energy to meet that of the band. The interplay between Davis and the musicians might be the biggest reason to see him, though. As Davis guides them through each bristling set, the talent of his group becomes readily apparent.

Davis has been quietly building a following here in Chicago, as much for his music as for his DIY attitude (he started Mousse records, created nearly all the artwork on his Web site and has self-produced nearly every note he's self-recorded. Yet the work doesn't have the lo-fi feel that you might expect. "Lonely People of the World, Unite!" is a pop record, and the production quality bears that out.

Ultimately, it's difficult to say where Davis will end up. He has the talent to sign with a major label, and the vision to navigate such a transition without compromising his vision. But for now, he's a true find in the oversaturated indie scene. He's going on tour this month, and after the College Music Journal Festival (CMJ) this September, it's likely he'll be investing in a tour bus.

Tell me who you are: "Devin Davis, born in Clinton, Iowa, moved to Jacksonville, Florida, then Chicago. Started playing music when I was five: took up piano, saxophone, drums and guitar in that order. Played snare drum in marching band. Was in a band called Irving Philharmonic in Jacksonville. I got a job engineering at ACME Recording when I moved to Chicago. And I recorded my new album, 'Lonely People of the World, Unite!' in my spare time. After a good deal of searching, I finally got together a band to play with here in Chicago. And that's the short of it."

Baby's first steps: First show was at Gunther Murphy's opening for James William Hindle and The Sixth Great Lake.

Here I am…rock you like a: Lyrically-driven, sometimes heavy, sometimes quiet, neo-classic rock and/or folk rock with psychedelic tendencies?

Coming soon to a dive bar near you: We just played the Summerfest in Milwaukee with Death Cab For Cutie. The band is heading out on a tour this August that kicks off here in Chicago at Blackspot Gallery (I'm playing a solo acoustic set this time), and ends on Aug. 24 at the Bottom Lounge. Plus, we're playing CMJ in New York this September, and hope to play shows on the way there and back.

Fresh from the woodshop: Full-length debut album 'Lonely People of the World, Unite!' is available now (Devindaviswebsite.com). I'm just starting work on 'follow-up' at present time.

What's cool in your neck of the woods: I don't really buy a lot of things. Or eat out that much for that matter. I cook at home almost exclusively, and shop at ALDI most of the time. If I was pressed to say what my favorite restaurant in town was though, I'd have to say Artopolis. Their Zambonopita (ham, spinach, cheese, etc. inside a flaky dough) is quite possibly one of the best tasting plates of food I've ever had. I am thankful to live within a short walk of Earwax video. The Hideout is always fun. As is a bike ride down the hill by the Blommer Chocolate Factory. My favorite place in town is probably the lakefront, between Diversey and Hollywood. I used to go running there on the weekends. It's really quite beautiful there by the lake. Lots of little nooks and crannies, and tiny little parks all one after the other as you walk north. It's also really cool riding bikes through the Loop at 1 a.m. on a Saturday night/Sunday morning. There is no one around. Nobody. It's quite eerie. You can ride down the middle of streets no-handed, look up at the sky and see the top of the canyon of buildings.

They blew my hair back: So many amazing bands in Chicago. Head of Femur, Roommate (although I play theremin with them so I suppose I'm unfairly biased), The Like Young, The New Constitution, Bella Leah (3/4ths Chicagoans), Love Story In Blood Red, The M's, Devil In a Woodpile, White Light, Manishevitz, Western Standard Time, Paper Airplane Pilots. And that Wilco group is also quite good…