Kevin Devine

Singer/songwriter Kevin Devine first gained notice in New York's early-millennium indie rock and emo scenes, initially fronting the band Miracle of 86 before shifting focus to solo work. Albums such as 2003's Make the Clocks Move and 2005's Split the Country, Split the Street helped establish his introspective, emotionally charged material on love, life, and politics, building a devoted audience that stayed with him during a short major-label period. After the 2009 release of Brother's Blood, he teamed with Manchester Orchestra members in the side project Bad Books, which issued three albums across the following ten years. Solo records continued into the early 2010s, and in 2015 he launched the Devinyl Splits series of split singles, partnering over four years with artists including David Bazan, Cymbals Eat Guitars, and Jesse Lacey. Another solo album, Instigator, appeared in 2016.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 19, 1979, Devine studied journalism at Fordham University after high school. By 1999 music had become his main pursuit; he started playing solo sets at coffee houses and open-mike nights, and together with high-school friend Chris McAllen he formed Miracle of 86, named after the New York Mets' surprise World Series win that year. The group built a strong following on the New York/New Jersey indie circuit, yet Devine soon began exploring work outside its framework. His debut solo album, Circle Gets the Square, arrived in 2002, accompanied by additional solo performances alongside band dates. In 2003 he issued the three-song EP Travelling the EU and the full-length Make the Clocks Move—shaped by his father's death and the 2004 presidential election—before Miracle of 86 disbanded.

His first post-band solo effort, Split the Country, Split the Street, came out in 2005. Produced by former Miracle of 86 associates Chris Bracco and Mike Skinner, it alternated between energetic rock tracks and quieter, reflective pieces. A deal with Capitol Records followed in 2006; working with producer Rob Schnapf, whose past work included Elliott Smith, Devine recorded Put Your Ghost to Rest. Strong reviews greeted the album, but a Capitol-Virgin merger disrupted promotion and led to his release from the label. Reissued in 2008 by Junketboy, the record gained renewed attention and prompted supporting tours. Brother's Blood appeared the next year on Electric Gentlemen Records; Devine promoted it with his occasional backing group the Goddamn Band and with Manchester Orchestra in support. The successful run inspired the formation of Bad Books, whose self-titled debut arrived in fall 2010.

Between the Concrete and Clouds, Devine's next solo album, surfaced in fall 2011. Produced by Chris Bracco and mixed by Schnapf, it marked his first co-release with Razor & Tie alongside Electric Gentlemen. Bad Books reconvened for Bad Books II in 2012. Early 2013 saw Devine turn to crowdfunding, launching a Kickstarter that sought $50,000 for two albums and reached its goal in under a day, ultimately raising $114,000. That fall he self-released Bulldozer, produced by Schnapf, and Bubblegum, a Goddamn Band collaboration produced by Jesse Lacey. Extensive international touring followed, along with several Miracle of 86 reunion performances, one of them a Hurricane Sandy benefit. The six-part Devinyl Splits series ran from 2015 into 2016, featuring contributors such as Matthew Caws, Meredith Graves, and Cymbals Eat Guitars. Instigator, his ninth LP, appeared in late 2016. After a period as Brand New's touring guitarist, he issued the acoustic version We Are Who We've Always Been. Rejoining Andy Hull and Robert McDowell of Manchester Orchestra, the trio released Bad Books III in June 2019.