Simply Six: The Devyl Nellys

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer.  For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later.  Is there such a defining moment for you?

 - There wasn't one defining moment for me. But the open nights and songwriter rounds in and around NYC in 1999, 2000 was a pivotal time for me. A lot of artists were writing just what was actually on their mind, and it was coming out great, audiences were relating, the rhyming and resolving was inconsequential. Sometimes it followed form, sometimes it didn't. But the raw honesty was infectious and liberating.   

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to?  Who are some of your favorites?

 

Annie Lennox, Steven Tyler and Little Milton, George Clinton  

Get my news from Larry Kudlow, Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour

 

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live? 


Whatever I do tomorrow.

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? 

Music can change the world, but it has to compete with so many other modes, means, mediums out there. Music is still authentic. A lot of the newer attractions aren't as authentic, but they could lead to good places, with authenticity as well. Just takes longer to get to.  

 

How much can music influence current events? Music helps shape us so over time, it can influence quite a bit over time. Build people up, break people down. Which in turn could morph out the world, events, people making decisions.

5. How has technology affected the music industry?

 Like any other business in relation to technology, and like invention and ingenuity in general. Good and bad will always come from it.

 

How has technology affected your career as a musician? The tracking is more organized and easier to record down, from what I'm told, from analog to digital. However I record at Retrophonics, which definitley has an incredible collection of the best equipment from the best years. And an extensive amount of it. We don't over produce and we have no problem wrapping a mix and a track.

6.  Now for my Barbara Walters question:  If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

Platforms. Platforms.