Devyn Rae has a wonderful, refreshing sound. I first heard her play at an open mic at Sturman’s Wine and Cigars about a year ago. I admired her style and how she carried herself with the crowd of listeners. She was confident and unafraid to be herself or take her music seriously. Her foresty green guitar is memorable, a semi hollow body Diamond Coupe Schecter. She proudly bought it from a longtime family dealer in Denver called Drum City Guitar Land. I was excited to catch up with her at Pig Latin in Eagle (one of the coolest atmospheres in the Treasure Valley); we had a lovely conversation about timing, the importance of staying true to your music, and navigating new territory as a musician in the Treasure Valley.
Devyn moved to the Boise area after a successful music tenure in the Denver area. She grew up in Colorado, watching her father play drums and setting her heart ablaze for songwriting and music of all genres. She got to experience a perfect blend of city life and living with her grandparents on their cattle ranch, instilling a deep appreciation for hard work. She started writing songs at just 8 years old, recalling the first one being about goldfish snacks. As she progressed, she learned guitar from her dad’s bandmate and continued to focus on lyrics to perceive her everyday life. She tagged along with her father at band practice (One From None) and loved everything about it: the routine of practice, the banter, and the work put in. When she was in middle school, she came home one day to tell her grandpa that she wanted to be a songwriter. His reaction was blunt: “No, don’t do that.” Her father, even in his successful musicianship, told her it would be difficult.
Despite this real-world advice, Devyn remained consistent in her practice, though a little apprehensive of the goal. She entered a talent show during her senior year in high school with an original song and placed 2nd. This unleashed a stage confidence that would carry her to her next aspirations. She drew inspiration from being an early 2000s emo girlie meshed with the alternative and rock bands her father was into. She also attributes much of her versatile taste to her mother, who loves rap, soul, and the blues. She notes Hiatus Kaiyote, an Australian R&B/soul band, as impactful on her own taste and approach to music.
Her mother also put her in contact with a producer friend, Mario Romero. Devyn started working with him in his studios and learned how to record and get comfortable with the stage. He was a mentor and a reality check with the music world. It was a hard lesson during this time about the reality of what is expected of women in music. “You plan on working out, right?” They were looking at her as a product. She was also given the suggestion of creating a target audience. She kept getting feedback she wasn’t expecting, but it kept her fueled. She eventually veered off of that pursuit and started doing open mic nights to get to know people during college.
Devyn dabbled in various degrees, playing music on the side. She met bandmates during this time and started Devyn Rae Music in 2013, playing gigs all over the Denver area (notably opening for Hello, Goodbye). In 2020 she decided to put all of her focus on music and earned her BA in music with a minor in songwriting. She was also part of a prog rock band called Cista Vinum-Latin for box wine. They played regularly for 5 years before breaking apart. A year later, her fiancé got a new job, and they chose to come to Boise after hearing about the budding music scene.
Devyn has since been working with Huston Vineyards and working on her music. She released her most recent EP, Heart of Soup, in November of 2024. Her earlier single releases, Gold, Little Things, and Ghost, all feature her father on the drums, something she is incredibly proud of. She gigs wherever and whenever she can and is continuing to navigate the whole new world of the Idaho music scene.
We talked about the struggle to feel impactful as a musician and sometimes letting our minds get away with us. How there are friends and family who are chasing selfless work and how this lifestyle feels a bit selfish at times. But on the other side of that, realizing that music plays such an incredible role in our lives, achievements, heartache, and love. Songwriters expose feelings that listeners can relate to and feel heard. Music is a connective tissue that has bonded humans since the dawn of time.
When I asked Devyn what advice she would give to anyone looking to pursue music, she related it to speaking to her younger self, little Dev. “Just continue to believe in what you’re doing. Believe that it is something good, not just for yourself but for others around you. Believe that there’s more to life than just what you’re doing right now, but don’t get tunnel vision. Don’t be so committed that you lose everything else in life. Don’t stop doing it for anyone. Keep going and believe that this is something that was supposed to happen. Believe that it’s something that matters. Try not to get stuck in the bullshit, and keep that little person inside of you inspired and alive. So much of it dies over time with so many of us. As musicians, our job is to keep the magic alive.”
Devyn is a warm person with so much talent to share with the world. I enjoy her personality and drive, her kindness, and her confident knowing of purpose.
Click here to find out more about Devyn or book her for a show! Give her a follow on Instagram and check out her original music on Spotify or Apple Music.
Subscribe to Treasure Valley Notes to stay up-to-date on all of Devyn’s upcoming shows!
Interested in being featured in a “Deep Dive”? Contact us HERE!