Womad

Devon Sproule

Is it folk? Is it country? Is it jazz? It's all three...

Some things just take time. When Canada-born, Virginia-bred singer-songwriter Devon Sproule released her fourth album, Keep Your Silver Shined, in April of last year, the reaction was more ripple than splash. More than 12 months on, however, after the record slowly percolated its way into the collective consciousness, the 26-year-old can barely keep up with the attention now being directed her way. While largely down to Keep Your Silver Shined's unhurried, high-summer charm, this reputation is increasingly nourished by Devon's live shows. An effortless performer (she's been singing live since her childhood spent on a hippy commune), most recently she's been gear-jamming her way across the UK's motorway network in the company of another singer-songwriter, her husband Paul Curreri. For her WOMAD debut though, Devon brings a delightful little band in tow that includes pedal steel legend BJ Cole in its ranks. He's the perfect accompanist for her fine deck of tunes that reside just where country, folk and gently swinging jazz melt into each other.

Biog by Nige Tassell