Following on from a flurry of enticing offerings over the last few years, including her recently shared delight 'V.I.P', US singer and songwriter Teghan Devon is back once again with her sweeping new single 'Our Garden'.
Channelling a wonderfully warm and alluring folk-inspired direction from start to finish, 'Our Garden' makes for a beautifully rich and vibrant listen. With her sweet and supple voice layered over a humbly-played acoustic guitar, she swoops and swoons her way throughout this light and heartfelt serenade.
So with the new song doing the rounds, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with was guitar but it took me a long time to love it because learning how to play was boring at first and, at 10 years old, my fingers were too small for the frets. I really started to love it when I learned how to play “Blackbird” by The Beatles.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I loved a variety of different music when I was younger. I loved the artists/bands my dad introduced me to such as The Beatles, Jeff Buckley, Squeeze, Juliana Hatfield, and The Smiths. The main artists that I loved that I found on my own were Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. Taylor is my all time favorite artist but I vividly remember being so inspired by Ed’s first album +.
What was the first album you remember owning?
“Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson. I used to listen to it all the time on my portable CD player. It’s honestly still one of my favorite albums of all time.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
If I had to pick one song, I’d pick “Worst of You” by Maisie Peters. It’s so catchy and I love the lyrics. “You role-play the good guy, lemon juice your white lies, but I see’em in the sunrise”. So good. “Worst of You” is a super catchy pop song yet is extremely deep and sad. She is a songwriting master and one of a kind.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I honestly don’t because I never know when something is going to come to me.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to Conan Gray (who just released his new album “Superache”), Alessia Cara, Willow, Maisie Peters, and Miley Cyrus.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
That’s easy. Taylor Swift.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
When people tell me my music touched them. An old friend of mine texted me how much he loved “Our Garden” and I hadn’t expected to hear from him. He told me that his heart is “fuller from hearing it”.
And what is the most frustrating part?
You can put all of yourself into your art and make something you are very proud of and it will get no traction because you have to do a lot more than make great music to be seen and heard. I am not great with social media. I love TikTok as a consumer but it’s hard for me to post because I am really awkward in front of a camera. To be successful in the industry, you have to wear a lot of hats and it can be overwhelming.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
My mentor, teacher, friend, and producer of my debut album, Jeff Harrington, told me that to be successful you need to have talent, work hard, and believe that you deserve it.
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Teghan Devon's new single 'Our Garden' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.