Kevin Devine

Kevin Devine is an American songwriter and musician from Brooklyn, New York, who is known for alternately introspective and political lyrics and melodic acoustic guitar songs. He cites his influences as Neutral Milk Hotel, Bob Dylan, Elliott Smith, Pavement and Nirvana, among others.
History
Beginnings
Devine grew up in Brooklyn and Staten Island and has spent significant time in Manhattan and Queens. Devine graduated from Fordham University at Lincoln Center in 2001, majoring in journalism. He played in the band Miracle of 86 (named after the 1986 New York Mets), as well as the popular Staten Island band Delusion. At Fordham he was able to hone his solo, acoustic style by playing at various open-mic and college events. Devine released his first solo album, entitled Circle Gets the Square, in 2002 under the record label Immigrant Sun Records, as well as being produced by Bill Manoudakis. During this time he also appeared in regular stints at the Wetlands Preserve venue in New York City.

His brother, Dan Devine, is a columnist for Yahoo! Sports.
Increased Success (2002–2007)

Although still relatively unknown, Devine gained some popularity with his 2003 album, Make the Clocks Move. This album’s songs reflect Devine’s political views and a growing introspective style, inspired by recent death of his father to a stroke. These two styles would become a staple in Devine’s music that followed.

It is the first of two albums released on Triple Crown Records. It is also the first of three albums produced by Chris Bracco and Mike Skinner (ex-Miracle of 86). In 2005, Devine released his third full length album, Split the Country, Split the Street. He signed with Capitol Records, who released his fourth album, Put Your Ghost to Rest, on October 17, 2006. Only four months after his major label debut, Devine was dropped from Capitol Records due to EMI merging Virgin and Capitol Records.

Devine was able to gather a strong fan base as a result of his exposure through touring with Brand New (who were also formerly signed to Triple Crown Records). First appearing as their opening act on their 2004 spring tour, Devine made a small splash among their fan base. However, opening for them again in April 2006 and joining their 2007 Spring tour with Manchester Orchestra greatly increased his fan base and affected his career.
Brother’s Blood and Bad Books (2008–2010)

After negotiations with Capitol Records, «Put Your Ghost To Rest» was re-released on April 20, 2008 by Procrastinate! Music Traitors. Several new demos were featured on his MySpace page around this time. A majority of the demos would later be properly featured on Brother’s Blood and a single for Another Bag of Bones was released in August 2008. The tours throughout 2008 were in support of the Put Your Ghost To Rest re-release and the new material.

In December 2008, Devine announced in an interview with Popwreckoning that his new album Brother’s Blood would be released on April 28 on Favorite Gentlemen records. He also announced a tour with Manchester Orchestra and the release of the I Could Be With Anyone EP in support of the upcoming album.

In an interview with Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull, Hull confirmed that Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine would be releasing a split EP entitled «I Could Be The Only One».He later confirmed in a January 2010 interview with AbsolutePunk that Manchester Orchestra and Devine had finished a currently untitled album featuring eight songs,with four songs written by Devine and the other four written by Hull.The album with will be released under the band name «Bad Books». In August 2010, the band officially announced their self-titled debut album, «Bad Books» with a release date of October 19, 2010. A small east coast tour in support of the album was also announced.

He toured extensively in 2009–2010 for Brother’s Blood, including dates with Manchester Orchestra, Brand New, Thrice and Nada Surf. He also played a number of major music festivals, including Coachella, Lollapalooza, The Bamboozle and Bonnaroo. On July 6, 2010, Devine released the She Stayed As Steam EP, featuring outtakes from Brother’s Blood.

On October 19, 2010, the self-titled debut album by his new project Bad Books, featuring members of Manchester Orchestra was released. The band supported the release of the album with a 4-date east coast tour. Another short acoustic tour followed in December 2010, with only Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra frontman Andy Hull playing Bad Books songs, as well as solo songs, acoustically.
Between the Concrete and Clouds (2010–present)

On August 26, 2010, Devine announced on his Facebook page that he had begun writing his sixth album. A post made on his Facebook page also revealed tentative song titles which include «Between the concrete & clouds», «The first hit», «Off-screen», «A story, a sneak,», «The city has left you», «11-17», «I used to be someone», «Sleepwalking through my life», «Wait out the wreck», and «Merry Levov». The song «Merry Levov» was possibly renamed «Awake in the dirt», as it does not appear on the album yet would explain the lyrical content of the later renaming. Several rough draft lyrics of these songs have been added to his Facebook notes page.Recording was completed on March 6, 2011. This is the first record he’s made that is fully backed by a band, featuring musicians Brian Bonz (keyboard), Chris Bracco (a.k.a. «Plosive») (bass, keyboard), Mike Fadem (drums, percussion), Russell Smith (electric guitar), and Mike Strandberg (guitar, mandolin). It was recorded in 10 days over a span of a month, being produced by longtime collaborator Chris Bracco and mixed by Rob Schnapf.

In March 2011 Devine toured with River City Extension, and released a split 7» EP. Devine’s songs on the EP are an acoustic version of «Between the Concrete & Clouds» and «Walls», a Tom Petty cover.
Two 7» singles, «Luxembourg» and «Part of the Whole», were announced and are due for release on May 17, with the album, Between the Concrete and Clouds, to follow later in the year.

During an Alt Press interview on July 6, 2011, «Between The Concrete & Clouds» was officially announced for a September 13, 2011 release in the US on Razor & Tie/Favorite Gentlemen Records.He performed some of his new material on tour starting in spring 2010.

A few songs on the album (most notably «Awake in the dirt») are influenced by the book American Pastoral by Phillip Roth.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of Nirvana’s classic album «Nevermind», Kevin Devine covered the entire album, and let fans download it on his website for free.
Discography

Albums
2002: Circle Gets the Square
2003: Make the Clocks Move
2005: Split the Country, Split the Street
2006: Put Your Ghost to Rest
2009: Brother’s Blood
2011: Between the Concrete and Clouds
2011: Nevermind (Nirvana cover album)

Live Albums
2005: Live At Schubas 05/13/2005 (Digital only)
2006: Live At Maxwell’s 02/08/2006 (Digital only)
2007: Live at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2007: Kevin Devine (Digital only)
2009: Kevin Devine: Live At Looney Tunes 4.16.09
2012: Live At Maxwell’s 01/07/2012 (Digital only)
2012: «Matter of Time: KD&GDB Tour EP 2012» (Digital only)
EPs
2003: Travelling the EU
2006: Buried By The Buzz
2007: 2007 Tour EP
2008: I Could Be With Anyone
2010: I Could Be The Only One (split with Manchester Orchestra)
2010: She Stayed As Steam
2011: Kevin Devine/River City Extension Split

Singles
2007: Just Stay
2008: Another Bag of Bones
2009: Splitting Up Christmas
2011: Part Of The Whole (7»/digital)
2011: Luxembourg (7»/digital)

Music videos
2006: Brooklyn Boy (directed by Paxen Films)
2006: Me And My Friends (directed by Paxen Films)
2009: I Could Be With Anyone (directed by Sherng-Lee Huang)
2009: Another Bag Of Bones
2011: Off-Screen

Miracle of 86
2000: Miracle of 86 (Fade Away)
2003: Every Famous Last Word
2005: Last Gasp (EP)
2005: Kevin Kolankowski

Bad Books
2010: Bad Books