A single release from Steph Devine bares it all with a brutal honesty and with a graceful and passionately performed ballad that's easy to become quickly engulfed in.
"Letter" is an emotionally driven and beautifully produced track that is built with piano and strings to go along with gorgeous vocals that sound both angelic and haunting at the same time.
Harmonies fade in and out of the background as the artist ears her heart on her sleeve and the song bursts into an impactful and powerful orchestral chorus.
The single talks about things that can't be easy to let out and yet Devine does it without a hitch.
It's relatable and makes you think. It may even cause memories of your own to pop in and out of your head and you can feel the emotion this was all built from.
The song is wonderfully woven and through it has a more stripped down base, it feels incredibly lush and full.
A cinematic tonality takes over and you are washed away with the sound as a whole but it feels good. It feels good to let go and have the song take you over.
When its done you have to almost shake it off and come back to your own reality.
It's been a long time since you've heard a song that really takes control like this one does.
Steph Devine is a seasoned musician and songwriter that releases music with little to no boundaries and that itself is part of why this is so damn good.
It's an addicting aspect and it makes you want to hear everything else she has out there straight away.
"Letter" is part of a string of outstanding singles released throughout this year and we don't think its the last we'll be hearing form her.
With such a beautiful release we wanted to have a talk with the artist to find out where this really came from.
Here's what happened.
RAG: Okay let's start with "Letter". This song felt very personal and real. Where did this track come from?
Steph: This song is definitely personal to me. I began writing “Letter” a few years ago. The song tells the story of falling back into a relationship that had ended in heartbreak in the past & suddenly realizing that you’re repeating history.
RAG: I'm hearing undertones of contemporary pop, singer songwriter and more! Who are some of your actual biggest musical influences?
Steph: My biggest musical influences are Taylor Swift, The Chicks and Brandi Carlile.
RAG: So how did all of this start for you?
Steph: I’ve been singing and songwriting my entire life but I’ve recently started sharing my music publicly. I’ve always been very passionate about songwriting & it has helped me process so many experiences throughout my life.
RAG: Can we expect anything more coming from you this year?
Steph: I have a new single called, “You & Me” coming out on October 29th that I’m really excited about. It’s an upbeat, relatable song & I can’t wait to share it! I’m also working on my debut EP & I hope to have that released by the end of the year.
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
Steph: When I’m not working on music, I’m usually hanging out with my dogs and listening to music.
RAG: Who are you listening to right now?
Steph: Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of country music, mostly The Chicks, “Home” album. I’ve been obsessed with Travelin Soldier, it’s one of those songs that you can’t get out of your head once you’ve heard it.
RAG: This song felt like it was a pretty big undertaking. Is there any advice you'd have for other up and coming artists out there?
Steph: “Letter” was definitely an undertaking. I worked on this song in the studio longer than any of my other songs I’ve released. My advice for other up and coming artists is to take as much time as you need to complete your project. It is better to have a finished product that you are totally happy with than to rush through the process or worry about time.
RAG: Any music videos in the works?
Steph: At the moment, I do have an idea for a music video for a song that will hopefully be coming out in 2022. It’s a very special song for me and I have a lot of big ideas for it!
RAG: Have you given any thought to live performances anytime soon?
Steph: Yes, I have some plans in the works for live performances which I will announce once everything is official.
RAG: How do you write your songs? Is it lyrics first or piano? Its different for everyone. Ho does it work for you?
Steph: Typically, I write my songs with the guitar. “Letter” was originally written with the acoustic guitar as well. Most of the time, I write my music and lyrics together but on occasion I start with lyrics alone.
RAG: What inspires you to write?
Steph: Pretty much anything can inspire me to write. Sometimes, something will happen in my own life that inspires me and sometimes I’m inspired by others. I love storytelling in my songwriting as well, so the possibilities are endless.
RAG: You wake up in the middle of the night starving. What's your go-to midnight snack? (a question of character here)
Steph: Once I fall asleep, NOTHING wakes me up.
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