Devon Gilfillian

Devon Gilfillian
Background information
BornMorton, PA
GenresSoul, gospel blues
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2013–present
LabelsFantasy Records, Capitol
Websitedevongilfillian.com

Devon Gilfillian is an American soul singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee.[1]

Early life

Gilfillian is originally from Morton, Pennsylvania.[2] He began playing guitar at age 14,[3] and while still in high school played in a band called Black Sheep.[4] He attended West Chester University,[5] where he graduated with a degree in psychology, and also played in cover bands including Hot Spoon Gilly.[6] Growing up, his father, Nelson Gilfillian,[5] was a singer and percussionist in a local band.[2]

Career

After moving to Nashville in 2013, Gilfillian joined a local blues cover band.[2] In 2016, he released his debut self-titled EP, of gospel-inspired blues-rock.[2][6]

His major label debut album Black Hole Rainbow was released on January 10, 2020, on Capitol Records.[7][8] It was nominated for a 2021 Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.[9] The album features production from Shawn Everett, and co-writing from Jamie Lidell.[1][6] Three of the album's singles reached the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart: "Unchained" peaked at number 7, "Get Out and Get It" peaked at number 12, and "The Good Life" peaked at number 5.[10]

On October 22, 2020, Gilfillian released a track-by-track cover of Marvin Gaye's 1971 album What's Going On[11] with 100% of the profits donated to Tennessee's Equity Alliance Fund.[12]

On April 7, 2023, Gilfillian released his second full-length studio album Love You Anyway via Fantasy Records. Produced by Jeremy Lutito (Joy Oladokun, NEEDTOBREATHE), the album includes the single “All I Really Wanna Do” which peaked at No. 6 on Billboard's Adult Alternative Songs chart.[13][14]

Gilfillian was featured on a cover of Sam Cooke's "Having a Party" on the 2024 charity Christmas album A Philly Special Christmas Party by The Philly Specials.

Performances

Gilfillian performed at Newport Folk Festival and Montreal Jazz Fest,[15] and at the 2018 NFL draft in Dallas.[16] On March 7, 2020, he made his national television debut on CBS This Morning, performing the track "The Good Life".[3] He opened for Brothers Osborne on their 2019 tour,[17] and Grace Potter on her 2020 US tour.[15] He has also opened for Mavis Staples, Gladys Knight, and Michael McDonald.[6][18] He performed a cover of Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on October 23, 2020,[19] and performed "The Good Life" on Jimmy Kimmel Live in December 2020.[20]

In April 2023, he headlined his national Love You Anyway Tour.[21]

Discography

Albums

Title Album details
Black Hole Rainbow
What's Going On
  • Released: October 22, 2020
  • Formats: LP, streaming
  • Label: Capitol Records
Love You Anyway

EP

Title Album details
Devon Gilfillian
  • Released: May 23, 2016
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
  • Label: Self released

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
AAA
[10]
"Here and Now" 2017 — Devon Gilfillian
"Troublemaker" 2018 — Non-album singles
"High" —
"Truth"
(feat. Tate Tucker) 		—
"Winter Wonderland" —
"Feels Good" 2019 —
"Get Out and Get It" 12 Black Hole Rainbow
"Unchained" 7
"The Good Life" 2020 5
"Freedom"
(with Illiterate Light) 		8 Non-album single
"All I Really Wanna Do" 2023 6 Love You Anyway
"Love You Anyway" 25
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

  1. ^ a b Pareles, Jon (10 January 2020). "Justin Bieber's Flavorless Pivot to R&B, and 10 More New Songs". New York Times. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Warren, Bruce (28 June 2017). "World Cafe Nashville: Devon Gilfillian, 'Here And Now'". NPR. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Devon Gilfillian performs "Lonely"". CBS. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  4. ^ Dyroff, Denny (24 Jan 2020). "On Stage: WCU grad Gilfillian celebrates first album with show at The Fillmore". The Kennett Times. Unionville, PA. Retrieved 5 Sep 2020.
  5. ^ a b Hendrickson, Matt (Dec 2019). "Devon Gilfillian brings a sound all his own on his inspiring debut". Garden and Gun. Charlestown, SC. Retrieved 5 Sep 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d Millevoi, Nick (7 May 2020). "Devon Gilfillian Finds Light at the End of His Tunnels". Premier Guitar. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  7. ^ Thompson, Stephen (17 March 2020). "The Austin 100: Devon Gilfillian". NPR. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  8. ^ Leimkuehler, Matthew (9 January 2020). "Nashville's Devon Gilfillian is releasing the intergalactic soul album you need to hear". The Tennessean. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Ivan Wayman". grammy.com. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Chart History: Devon Gilfillian". Billboard. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  11. ^ Douris, Raina (23 October 2020). "Devon Gilfillian Re-Records Marvin Gaye's 1971 album 'What's Going On'". NPR. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Devon Gilfillian - What's Going on - Signed Vinyl".
  13. ^ Todd, Nate (28 March 2023). "Devon Gilfillian Is 'Right Kind Of Crazy' On New Single". Jambase. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Adult Alternative Airplay". Billboard. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  15. ^ a b Baltz, Ryan (16 December 2019). "Devon Gilfillian Shines in "Unchained," Readies For 2020 Grace Potter Tour". American Songwriter. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  16. ^ "10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week: Corey Smith, Lilly Hiatt and More". Rolling Stone. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  17. ^ Scholfield, Anna (11 April 2019). "Devon Gilfillian Breathes New Life Into Soul and R&B". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  18. ^ Schkloven, Emma (13 February 2020). "Nashville Soulster Devon Gilfillian Talks Busting Musical Boxes Ahead of Houston Shows". Houstonia. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Devon Gilfillian - What's Going On". 360 Magazine. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  20. ^ "DEVON GILFILLIAN PAYS TRIBUTE TO NAT KING COLE WITH NEW VERSION OF 'THE CHRISTMAS SONG (MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU)'". Louder Than the Music. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Devon Gilfillian Announces 'Love You Anyway Tour' Dates". 6 June 2023.