
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: JANET DEVLIN

From the young 16-year-old girl who performed Elton John's ‘Your Song’, to the Country female powerhouse we all know and love, Janet Devlin’s musical journey is something to behold. Join us in conversation with Janet, ahead of her Roadhouse Unplugged debut in Dublin on 6th March…
Thanks so much for joining us, Janet! If you had to describe your music to someone who’s not heard it before, what would you say? “I’d say it’s girly, country, emo, and honest for sure”.
Your X Factor performance from way back in 2011 still pulls on heartstrings today, but that was just the beginning of your musical career, which has seen many accomplishments. You most recently appeared on the BBC Radio 2 B List playlist - that must’ve been a pinch-me moment? “Honestly, I was absolutely blown away! I’ve been making music for over 10 years and I never had more than a spot play on national radio - and that was my first ever single! So actually having my songs played on Radio 2 is genuinely so overwhelming in the best way. I still get so unbelievably giddy every time I hear a radio DJ say my name. My song Red Flag went from a spot play with Scott Mills to being added to the C List, then the B List which was nuts! My current release ‘Best Life’ went straight to the B List at the start of January this year - what a way to start 2025! I’m still pinching myself!
Well congratulations from all of us at the Roadhouse Hub, it’s really great to see! I want to dive more into your inspiration and influences when it comes to your music. What artists have been your biggest influencers? “I grew up with artists like Hal Ketchum, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash - the list goes on! I also loved bluegrass, predominantly the soundtrack of ‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou’. I played it so much I had to buy it five times! But in the last 10 years or so, I’ve listened to a lot of Chris Stapleton, Blackjack Billy, The Steeldrivers, Jackson Dean, Lainey Wilson, Cory Marks, Zach Bryan, and Morgan Wallen. I’d say they’ve all played their part in influencing my sound.”
If you could spend a day with a country music legend, maybe even one of the ones you mentioned, who would it be and why? “Aw man it’d have to be Dolly! The stories she must have. Also, she just seems like such a darling, I could easily spend a whole day with her. I would love to thank her for the impact she made on my life, especially as a kid. Having someone be so authentically themselves and encouraging others to do so too is heroic.”
You’ve talked to us about your inspirations, but tell us a little bit about your creative process when writing your music... “I’ve a pretty odd way of writing and creating my music. I’ll come up with a song title or theme, and make a note on my phone. They usually just come to me as I’m out and about living life. Luckily, we have phones with note apps so I don’t have to carry a journal with me anymore! In the note, I’ll add a whole bunch of idioms, jokes, poetry, and a glossary of words to do with that topic. Then I’ll write a bunch of example lyrics with different rhyme schemes. I’ll also record a few example melodies into my voice notes, then when I arrive at the sessions, I’ll invite the producer to my notes! I honestly love research, it’s so fun for me (plus it saves time Googling in a session). If I don’t co-write, it’s just the same process but with myself.”
Ah I love that, in a way, it adds that extra layer of authenticity to your music! Country music as a whole has surged in popularity over the last year or two - what impact do you think this has had on the music scene in the UK and Ireland? “Country music has always been massive in Ireland, so it’s great to see it grow even more - to see it take a new life in England has been great! Years ago when I used to tell people about my plans to go country it’d be met with an eye roll, a laugh or questions - now it’s totally different! I’m just happy to see people fall in love with the genre and appreciate how vast and expansive it truly is.”
Speaking of country music in Ireland, tell us about your upcoming performance at Roadhouse Unplugged Dublin… “I’m super excited to go to one of my favourite cities in the world and play my music to a crowd of fellow country music fans! I’m more than grateful to Roadhouse for letting me be a part of it and trusting me to head up the launch into Ireland!”
We’re excited to have you! Of course, your music career has been a journey - what would you tell your younger self knowing what you know now? “Personally, it’d be to stay off the drink haha! But beyond that, I’d just say ‘Hold on, the tough times won’t break you but they’re going to make you stronger’”.
Janet Devlin will be performing at the Button Factory in Dublin, Ireland on 6th March 2025 - you can get your tickets by clicking here.
Artist Spotlight Janet Devlin