By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – Indianapolis-based Singer / Songwriter Jennie Devoe is closing Saturday’s Arts Fest on June 25th at the historic Eagles Theatre in downtown Wabash. Devoe is the type of performer who said she likes living in the moment on stage, sometimes using humor to great effect in her interactions with the crowd. She self describes her musical style as a combination of blues, folk and country. Noted influences range from Bonnie Raitt to Aretha Franklin to Bob Dylan to Adele.
Perhaps the best description for Devoe’s music is “organic.” In fact, she insists on recording on analogue tape because she says it better allows listeners to hear the “air” in the room. Her last two albums were recorded in England without Auto-Tune or other heavy digital processing. Even Devoe’s scratch vocals were used in the final mix on her more recent records.
The Muncie native moved to Indianapolis after graduating from Ball State and quickly joined cover bands before deciding to write her own music and strike out as a solo artist. Now, she says that 90% of her shows consist of her own material. But some recent covers include Led Zeppelin, Prince and Janis Joplin tunes – but, Devoe noted, all with a new edge.
Devoe and her band will travel to only four different states this summer, which is down from previous years. She went on to say that she’s taking a little time off right now to focus on her writing and her next record. She has played in Wabash before, opening for Gregg Allman on the Ford Theater stage. But she told MiBash News that she prefers smaller venues like the Eagles Theatre.
When asked why she never moved away to New York or L.A. like so many other musicians, she answered that her family – not to mention her fan base – is right here in the Hoosier State. Devoe plays the Historic Eagles Theatre on Saturday, June 25th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15.