ARTIST INTERVIEW: An Interview with Devon Ross

Devon Ross

An Interview with Devon Ross 

Hello loyal eyes and ears of KXSC,

I’m writing to you from a sunny kitchen table and I’ll tell you a little story. 

This past Wednesday, February 14, my grandest of plans were to attend Devon Ross’ debut EP release show at Amoeba. I was excited…but I got stuck so badly in traffic that I missed the show. If you know L.A. on Valentine’s Day, you will understand (I hope).

Lucky for me, I had the chance to chat with Devon Ross about her new release, her musings, and this branch of her creative life on Monday. I’ve also had the chance to listen lovingly to her EP, Oxford Gardens, which was released on Friday, February 16. Perhaps you too might read this and listen to the four tracks. They pair well with the malice of a Valentine’s-gone-awry and a cup of black coffee.

I asked Ross if the holiday release date was intentional, and she expressed that it wasn’t; though her debut single “Swim” (track #2 of the EP) was released on September 21 – International Day of Peace. Perhaps it will become a theme, conglomerate celebrations from here on out. The EP was released under the Daydream Library Series, an operation of alt-rock notable Thurston Moore. Ross referred to him as a friend, whom she was able to send her demos to and receive great support. While I wouldn’t call the songs on this EP “breakup songs,” Ross does cite a breakup as the source of the “passionate, inspiration storm” which she wrote all these songs in. Having a good friend (Moore, in this instance) to be the recipient, and conductor for this creative outlet, turned the passion into the start of her career as a musician.

Ross and I were also able to talk about place, and how that factors into creativity. When I asked where she calls home, her response was delightfully cosmopolitan. Ross, who grew up in Southern California, is a career model and actor and spends her time between Los Angeles, London, and Paris. She feels the most inspired in Paris, and I quote, “duh.” I’m in strong agreement. 

We talked about musical inspirations as well, and you don’t have to listen to very much of Oxford Gardens to hear the music that Ross “never get[s] sick of”. She cites Sonic Youth, Pavement, and the Breeders as “neverending inspiration”, which seemingly extends to all of her creative endeavors. She has been called “quite possibly the coolest model in fashion right now” by British Vogue, among other publications, and an “it girl” by others. Ross expressed that she is in strong favor of people doing more than one thing: for her this means prioritizing her creative careers and not letting superfluity – including “it girl” status – precede her efforts in music or elsewhere.

In tandem with her release, Ross also led a mini tour up the West Coast and out east, with shows in L.A., San Francisco, Miami, and New York City. She’s excited to experience touring and “see familiar faces” along the way.

I know that I didn’t miss my chance to see Devon Ross live…she actually will be joining the Escape Artist Lovers at their Zebulon residency in L.A. on March 25. I had a delightful time talking with her and can’t wait to hear what comes next.

Devon Ross’ favorite live show: Patti Smith at the Olympia in Paris.

Listen to Oxford Gardens here. 

Xoxo, DJ Palindromeda

AKA Ava Kalenze