Devin Kennedy
Interview & Article by Brittany Ormiston
Photo by Henry Ammann
Sunday mornings: the smell of freshly brewed coffee, windows open filling the room with crisp air, music quietly playing throughout the house, almost as if you are in a daydream. Devin Kennedy’s newest EP has listeners experiencing SunDayDreams with every click of the play button. The EP is a “soundtrack to reflect on your whole summer” time and time again. There were 12-15 individuals who helped bring Kennedy’s vision to life, including co-writers Whakaio Taahi, Lukas Costas, and Dan Burke. Songwriting is the most vital piece when creating a project because it effectively communicates emotion and is complimented by other aspects, such as the artwork and music videos.
Imagery is woven throughout the new EP and Kennedy’s discography as a whole. The third track on the EP, ‘Hurt U’, includes the lyric “but you hit me like a shot of caffeine.” This is a perfect example of imagery being portrayed lyrically. A music video also allows fans to see the world through the artist’s eyes for the duration of the song. Kennedy stated, “The visual side of being an artist is so important to the brand, finding fans, and growing [as an artist].” He is involved in the creative process of his music videos every step of the way from the planning and concepts to the final editing. For the video ‘Sundress’, Kennedy sparked the idea to add transitions and have him “fall into different locations.'' The viewers are intrigued from the very beginning when he falls back onto the bed and sits up on the beach. There are also many “easter eggs” throughout Kennedy’s music videos, including the magnets on the refrigerator that spell out the title of the track and his initials in ‘Hurt U’.
SunDayDreams is a perfect way to describe Kennedy’s life at this moment in time. His ever-changing sound indicates he is willing to take risks and think outside the box. Kennedy mentioned, “I am always working towards a better version of myself, and I like to keep people guessing and on their toes.” Kennedy’s authentic and unique artistry entices fans to keep wanting more. “The whole reason I really got into being an artist, and got into writing and producing was to play live. That was my first love musically,” stated Kennedy. He hopes to tour across the country in the near future when the opportunity presents itself. A few of Kennedy’s bucket list items is to perform at a music festival, such as Lollapalooza and Coachella, and to play at larger venues in Los Angeles he grew up going to.
Summer has come and gone, but you can relive your favorite moments by listening to SunDayDreams. This EP has made such an impact that the simplicity of a sunflower reminds listeners of Devin Kennedy and the positive vibes he radiates.
