We caught up with Canadian songstress and feminist icon, Devon Cole, as she released her eclectic EP, Two Shades Blonder. Known for her candid and bubbly approach to serious topics, Devon gives listeners a taste of her artistry with earlier singles like the funky “Good Guy” and the empowering anthem “Sugar Daddy.” The EP’s announcement came with a mocked-up magazine cover featuring her blonde hair, symbolizing the theme of transformation amidst mental challenges.
Fans can look forward to pop-up salon shows this month in cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, complete with acoustic performances and exclusive merch.
KALTBLUT: What inspired you to write “Sugar Daddy,” and what message are you hoping to convey with this track?
I always start with concepts when I write. I thought it would be so fun to write a song with that title, but flipped on its head. It’s not what you think. I hope people listen and feel confident and ready to take on whatever. It definitely has that effect on me.
KALTBLUT: How has your music evolved since your viral hit “W.I.T.C.H.”, and what new elements can listeners expect in the “Two Shades Blonder” EP?
I’m dipping into some new sounds for me. There’s a banjo-heavy song on the EP, which is definitely new. Sugar Daddy is reminiscent of W.I.T.C.H. in terms of its theme and vibe. I’m still in the process of figuring out what a quintessential Devon Cole song is, so the EP is really diverse in a fun way. No two songs are the same. So every listener will be able to find something they like, I think.
KALTBLUT: In “Sugar Daddy,” you highlight the double standards women face. Can you share more about your personal experiences that influenced this song?
Oh my gosh… Yes. I am somebody who has always, ALWAYS, been sensitive to the feeling of not being taken seriously. And not being seen. Not being heard. There’s nothing that irks me more. I remember one occasion at Thanksgiving, when we were discussing pronouns. I was in my first gender studies course, and very protective of my LGBTQ+ family. Everyone pooh-poohed the idea that people deserve to be referred to however they choose. I was so frustrated that I started crying. It felt really… disheartening. And enraging. I wonder if I would’ve been taken more seriously if I was a man, and not an “emotional woman.” There are so many instances I could point to. Even in the workplace – at my label – I have to remind myself that it’s okay to disagree, to have strong opinions, to put your foot down.
KALTBLUT: How has social media played a role in your career, especially with the viral success of your singles?
I have a complicated relationship with social media, and it’s still evolving. But I owe my initial breakthrough to social media, and I’m proud of the fact that I got my start on TikTok. Virality is such an exciting thing, but what I’m finding is that it doesn’t necessarily transfer to streams or actual fans or ticket sales. Nurturing a fan base is a whole different ball game. But social media is wonderful in the sense that it’s levelled the playing field. Literally anyone can release music, promote their music, be an artist, and have the potential to make it their career. That’s very empowering.
KALTBLUT: You’ve received acclaim from prominent outlets. How does this recognition influence your creative process and future projects?
It’s warm and fuzzy! It doesn’t really influence my creative process though. It feels wonderful to be recognized, but what I really want is to big shows and tour the world. So acclaim is not really what I’m after, at the end of the day.
KALTBLUT: What have been some highlights of your recent tours, and how do they shape your connection with your audience?
OUUU! I love going on tour. It’s been an honor to open for bigger acts. I’ve gotten a lay of the land that way. I opened for Charlotte Cardin last year, and that was a dream come true. She’s literally one of my favorite artists EVER. There is nothing that compares to playing shows and seeing actual, real, humans singing along and enjoying your art. It’s magical. I hope to do it for the rest of my life.
KALTBLUT: You’ve discussed mental health in your work and features like Forbes’ Mind Reading. How do these themes influence your songwriting?
I’m somebody that struggles with mental health, and I have for my whole life, so it’s inextricable from who I am as an artist and a writer. I don’t ever try to write from a “mental health lens,” but how I see the world is colored by the inner workings of my mind. So mental health themes (i.e., addiction, self-esteem, depression) are definitely woven into my artistry.
KALTBLUT: What can fans look forward to in the “Two Shades Blonder” EP and any future releases after that?
This is the first body of work that I’ve released in three years, and I’m so excited for fans to be able to stream a new body of work. The EP is pretty diverse sonically, so that’s fun. I think everyone will be able to discover something they like. And I think this EP is a deeper look into who I am as an artist, a bit like a diary. So I hope it forges a deeper connection with my fans, in that way.
KALTBLUT: With achievements like your Juno Award nomination and Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Artist award, what moments stand out as defining points in your career?
Going to the Junos was so much fun. Oh my goodness. The biggest highlight of my career though has been opening for Charlotte Cardin, literally my favorite artist. Or touring in America with Andy Grammar, getting to see cities and states that I’ve never been to. Or shooting the music video for W.I.T.C.H. There are so many highlights! And there are so many to come! But releasing Two Shades Blonder, this project that I’m so proud of, is definitely a highlight as well. I can’t wait to see where it takes me, and to keep trucking. What a life!
Follow
@devonmcole
Two Shades Blonder is out now: https://devon-cole.lnk.to/TwoShadesBlonder
