Kevin Devine Announces 'Instigator' Reimagining 'We Are Who We've Always Been'
Thursday, 21 September 2017
Written by Huw Baines
Photo: Shervin Lainez
Kevin Devine has announced a new record.
‘We Are Who We've Always Been’ is a stripped back re-imagining of last year’s ‘Instigator’. It’s out on October 20 through Procrastinate! Music Traitors. Discussing it, Devine said in a statement:
"Part according to plan & part in reaction to circumstances beyond our control blowing that plan up, I ended up doing nearly as much touring solo as we did full-band on Instigator, which, in its original presentation, was mostly a pretty full-on fuzzy power-pop record. It’s always fun & challenging figuring out ways to present the songs in each format so they feel equally compelling; with Instigator, I found the songs really felt like they made sense both ways, and ended up demanding an alternate presentation to highlight different strengths. It was, as always, a treat tackling that alongside Chris Bracco, my longest-standing creative collaborator, responsible here for production, mixing, and art design.
“For the three songs that were already acoustic in presentation, we decided to build around piano/synth/other voices, and bring in three excellent friends way more qualified than I am to do that credibly. Will Schalda, who performs as Swivs and plays with Charles Bradley & Budos Band, handled “Freddie Gray Blues;” Laura Burhenn, who plays as the Mynabirds and has toured as a member of Bright Eyes & The Postal Service, transformed “No One Says You Have To;” and Nandi Rose Plunkett, who plays as Half Waif & is a member of Pinegrove, opened up “I Was Alive Back Then.” They all absolutely and uniquely killed it. I think the record stands as its own document, has its own voice, and completes the full story of these songs. I hope you feel the same."
Head below to check out the new version of I Was Alive Back Then with Half Waif, following its premiere at Stereogum. Point your mouse here, meanwhile, to read our ‘Instigator’ interview with Devine, in which he discusses the song extensively.
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