Within their first year of performing, Devin & The Straights were applauded as one of the best new acts to come out of Chicago. High acclaim continues to match this band’s unique evolution. Along their way to this year’s full-length studio album, lead vocalist Devin and his gang of urban pickers have been praised in the Chicago Tribune, MetroMix Television, TimeOut Chicago, the RedEye, and by a diverse mix of fans across the world. Devin & The Straights are the union of soulful, nearly sentimental American country music, and the daring musical maneuvers of a band of modern pop comrades. They are a true musical hybrid in sound and identity. Spearheaded by the soothing voice of country starlit Devin, and backed by the honky-tonk rock skydivers known as The Straights, this front-page showcase act is leading the movement of colorful urban country.
Everything about this band is unique…well, everything except their spot-on set of classic country music: Hank, Dolly, Haggard, Lynn and those on whom Devin was reared throughout his Nebraskan upbringing setoff a night of authentic mountain range country. “My mom and her siblings would get together and all play country music, bluegrass,” Devin recalls. “She’d put me in the bathtub at night and play the guitar and sing…make sure I didn’t drown.” Making his way out of the tub, out of Nebraska, through the sand-belt, up the coast of California, and bee lining through the middle of the States as a young man, Devin set free his classic country voice and found an innovative style of alternative song writing. He embraced the heartbreak, and the highlife, in his journey of clubs, loves, the fantastic and the forbidden. A personality like non-other, Devin had hit himself a stride. He also found an unlikely group of country-rock pickers, The Straights, previously checking their bets up at Chicago’s famous Town Hall Pub.
A close-knit group of symphonic single-malt composers, the Straights setup a classy boudoir for Devin's moody late-night confessions. Songs from this year’s self-written album “Cowboy Night” capture, and catapult, the sexy midnight melodies and top shelf celebrations seen and heard from the stages on which these boys indulge. A night with Devin & The Straights is fresh-water soak in the beauty of a band, true and human. Their 21st Century front man, clad in faded jeans and a rhinestone-studded belt, naturally reconciles the differences between the lost, the bossed, and the lonely. As the Straights toss around harmonica, fiddle, and guitar riffs while spinning around like an urban stagecoach, their lynchpin, and sole passenger, Devin, continues the pilgrimage of the heart. He’ll wink his way into another refrain, sing his way into uncharted territory, dance his way past security, and setup shop as one of the most original, inherent talents of the day.
Devin & The Straights have entertained at a variety of events, ceremonies, festivals, and concerts while playing out at many of Chicago’s top spots. As the summer comes to a head, D&TS find themselves serenading wedding ceremonies, highlighting street festivals, and headlining some of the city’s best parties. While showcasing a slue of originals that move from heartbreaking to taboo, their set-list includes a vast array of classic and contemporary country, honky-tonk, bluegrass, folk, rock, and select retro hits guaranteed to sneak up on you just at the right time.
Devin & The Straights continue to keep their home base crowded with nights of classic country and old Chicago romps at the Town Hall Pub. From these “Cowboy Nights” continue to come some of the newest themes and sharpest lyrics to hit the field of alternative music. Everything is unique about this band. From the diversity of the music, the love for the audience, and the precision of the band come the one-and-only experience of Devin & The Straights.
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