New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Late last year, the Nashville-based singer, songwriter and frontman Devon Gilfillian released his debut self-titled EP. Fueled by groove, guitar, and the powerful punch of Gilfillian's voice, the songs shine a light on a young songwriter who grew up outside of Philadelphia, absorbing everything from the R&B swagger of
Ray Charles to the rock & roll heroics of Jimi Hendrix.
Today, NPR's World Cafe premiered the video for Gilfillian's tune "Here and Now." WXPN's Bruce Warren said, "'Here And Now' showcases the promise of an exciting emerging R&B musician. He and the band mine a sticky groove, and Gilfillian dashes off a funky guitar solo. While the song does bring to mind some of those early Hi Records classics like "Love And Happiness" and "I'm Still In Love With You," Devon captures the essence of a young Robert Cray while bringing his own distinct voice to the song."
"'Here and Now' is my plea to the woman who I may one day love to live in the moment beside me," explains Gilfillian. "My self-titled EP is a mixing pot of gospel, blues, soul, and country, stirred together with stories of lust, the devil, family and living life in the present moment. It represents the dark times that fell on my family, the love I have for them, and the longing to be with them on this journey. It also represents the temptations along the way that could easily take me to the dark side, along with the evil that shows it's face on that path."
This month, Devon Gilfillian is Southwest Airlines' "Artists on the Rise" alongside artists like
Valerie June, Sara Watkins and
Aaron Lee Tasjan.
Following his debut at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado earlier this week, Gilfillian and his band will continue to tour this summer including dates with Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors and festival appearances at Pilgrimage
Music Festival and Austin City Limits.
Tour Dates:
7/1: Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern
7/4: Nashville, TN - Acme Feed & Seed
7/19: Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live Philadelphia
7/21: Washington, D.C. - Gypsy Sally's
8/5: Bethlehem, PA - Musikfest
8/17: Nashville, TN - Soulshine
Music Loft
8/19: Jackson, MS - Duling Hall
9/13: St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall #
9/14: Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room #
9/15: Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre #
9/16: Lawrence, KS -
Liberty Hall #
9/20: Durham, NC - Carolina Theater #
9/21: Greenville, SC - Peace Center #
9/24: Franklin, TN - Pilgrimage
Music Festival
9/27: Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre #
9/28: Tuscaloosa, AL - Druid City #
9/29: Macon, GA - Cox Capitol Theatre #
10/8: Austin, TX - Austin City Limits
#- w/ Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors