Devon Thompson and the raw passion and bite of "Napoleon" (Official Video)

 

"the way he holds his dirty hands says chivalry's dead, I'm you man / you're so kind, you want to make yours mine / you cannot hide your love for mine..."


The Beatles' "White Album" is not only heralded as one of the best albums of all times because it is full of great songs but also because it is the stripped down Beatles where they reportedly (true or not, figuratively or literally) kept George Martin away, sort of locked him out of the studio as folk lore tells us. And seriously, "She's Leaving Home" is one of the most deeply beautiful songs ever recorded, a prime example of a great producer's hands on something. But, I will always love art that is more raw than not, that is why the Pixies rule supreme and Built to Spill and Radiohead and dozen's of others. 

"Napoleon" by Los Angeles based Devon Thompson is one of those songs that has a wonderful raw quality. Bare bones rock with alternative post punk and indie flavors throughout. Thompson's vocal countenance is emotionally animated as she goes from breathy to guttural, from purr to ferocious bite. I especially love her voice when it settles in that biting low register and in terms of guitar shapes and the throttling way she plays I thought of artists like The Pretenders, PJ Harvey, 10,000 Maniacs (all in their halcyon days). This could be a mere function of my age and tastes but maybe not since press notes indicate that:

"Early Siouxsie, The Animals, The Cramps, Bill Evans and the Beatles permeated her developmental years"

Developmental years? I smile because Thompson is only 21 and by 19 she was already playing LA clubs. Hey, that's good. Time is more fleeting than you think when you are in your 20's.

"Napoleon" is about "unrequited affection, and someone who won’t stop punishing you for not reciprocating their feelings back". Devon spouts her lyrics with empowerment and the self awareness that she is not one to be stepped on, a sense that she transmits in her guitar playing as well and the tightly wound synergy of the band she is playing with.

Great stuff- and I hope that throughout Devon's trajectory she does not give herself over to those producers in the world who want to take her away from her essence (too much). 

-Robb Donker Curtius   

THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 

https://www.devonthompsonmusic.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Kc2fveBGCYTxAmmAzkXDB

https://www.instagram.com/devonthompsonmusic/

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/devon-thompson/1507732902

https://www.tiktok.com/@devonthompsonmusic/video/7218196328487062830


Born in Los Angeles early this century Devon Thompson comments that her earliest memory was punching through a pane of glass, to see if she could. Quite successful in this venture, profuse amounts of blood, stitches, parental trauma, and slight fear of her next move meant performance art was already championed. Growing up a pale, emaciated misfit Devon found her home listening to music. A California child of the sun she was not meant to be. Early Siouxsie, The Animals, The Cramps, Bill Evans and the Beatles permeated her developmental years. By the age of 19 Devon had been playing Los Angeles clubs with her bands for many seasons. Her recordings are thus far lingering with the Bel Canto of Roy Orbison, the delicacy of Harriett Wheeler and the sheer aggression of PJ Harvey. Devon has trimmed her ensemble to the bare essentials for maximum impact. Devoid of pre-records, and modern gimmick Devon keeps her songs and show brutally honest in delivery. Bass, Drums and her library of beautiful Guitars allow Devon’s audience to witness the most delicate surgery to primordial amputation of sound in the the same set

Devon Thompson, indie rock, alt rock, garage rock, Los Angeles, singer songwriter, musician, "Napoleon",