Belfast blues and folk musician Karl Devlin has released his new EP, Songs of Wisdom and Woe. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
A practitioner of authentic Delta blues, Devlin has been on the fringes of the Belfast music scene for sixteen years, equivalent to half of his life, and is highly influenced by blues legends including Charley Payton and Son House.
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Tell us three things about yourself?
I've lived across five decades. I’ve played music for three of those. I have a wealth of knowledge in regards to music.
How would you describe your music?
Blues orientated mainly. But I have also influences from Spanish and Irish music to folk and also jazz.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Woody Guthrie, and Bob Dylan who introduced me to the latter three. I just followed who he was listening to.
What was the first gig I ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
The first gig I ever went to was Radiohead on the 14/09/2001, in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast. That was a great show, and the support act were from New York so it was a little bit somber given the event that surrounded it. The first album I ever got was Hotel California by the eagles. I was five. I was blown away with the songwriting as well as the guitar playing.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Cakewalk Into Town by Taj Mahal. It has a tuba for accompaniment and it’s just a great feelgood blues tune. Although that may sound like a paradox, it’s actually what most lies are about. Feeling better.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I wish that I could marry, I wish I could settle down,
but I can’t save a penny boy as I go ramblin round.
My mother prayed that I would be a man of some renown,
but I am just a refugee as I go ramblin’ round boys."
Woody Guthrie - Ramblin’ Round.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny. I read somewhere that when the world ends that will be rolling through the end credits.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I’m on all major platforms, and you can find me on the usual social sites, using KarlDevlin.
