Remote Session & Demo Vocalist

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: The current album I'm working on is something that I'm holding sacred. I struggled for a long time with what my sound *should* be. But all of different types of music I sing and listen to have led me to find my own voice. This album is reflective of that, and being able to work with my producer, Daniel McMains, has been the best ride. He's a genius and has been teaching me so much. The album isn't any one style and doesn't fit into one mold. I love it.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently recording my full-length album of originals, which I co-wrote with a fantastic producer named Daniel McMains. I'm also working on several artists' projects, singing on their tracks. Songwriters, composers & producers are reaching out to me daily to record vocals for their tracks.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: YES! Iajhi Hampden is a badass drummer. He plays in my live band and recorded on my record, "Out Of The Blues." The guy is the epitome of everything I feel a good session player needs: He's a technician, a mathematician, and he's got viiiibe for daaaayssss. Jeremy Lappitt is my handsome, crazy amazing fiancé. But here's the thing: I fell in love with him AFTER hearing him play, so don't worry, I'm not being too biased here :) Jeremy plays woodwinds and he's a heartfelt, incredible player who can sightread like a machine. You can send him any chart, and he will play it perfectly, while also having the ability to improvise and give you anything you need.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Oooo wellll Analog. BUT, there's so much that digital can do nowadays, including plugins that work based on the way that tape works. Plus, the portability and accessibility of digital can't be beat. They are both wonderful and necessary.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I promise to treat your project like it's the only thing I've got going on. I promise to focus and treat your song baby like it's my own song baby. I promise a professional and fun experience, from start to finish. I promise Efficiency, Intelligence & Soul <3

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love love love that I get to sing so many different styles and that every workday is different. I get some crazy stuff thrown my way, and I love every challenge. It makes me so happy to deliver a product that I know will make other people happy.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Most will ask me about my studio setup, but other than that, I don't get a ton of questions because everything my clients will need is on my website: devynrush.com. Of course, I am ALWAYS open to any questions you may have!

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That singers aren't musicians! So many times, emails will be addressed "Dear Singers & Musicians..." or you'll just hear it come up in conversation. But singers are toootally musicians. My mom is a vocal coach, and when she taught me as a kid, she used to always tell me, "Devyn, you don't just want to be a singer. You gotta be a musician." I get exactly what she meant, now more than ever.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. What is your intention for the project? (sync, other artists, etc). 2. Would you like me to sing in the style of a particular artist? If it applies, send me some reference tracks. I can do my own research as well if you just tell me artists. 3. Please send me track Tempo, Sample Rate, and let me know what vocal tracks you need (Lead, Stacks, Harmonies, Ad Libs, etc)

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Look for singers who are technically good and can simultaneously access their soul. You'll have a much easier time getting the product you want if you work with someone who knows that Technique & Vibe go hand in hand.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Ohhh DAMN. Well, I would want to stay accessible for composers, so I'd bring my computer & a wifi card for SURE. My Little Square Mic - It's portable & pink! My headphones My interface And an XLR ;)

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: The trajectory of my career has changed several times. Through a lot of trial & error, rejection & heartbreak, I feel like my career evolved – somewhat organically – into what I’m doing now, at 30. I was born into a musical family. I had the influence of my mom as a vocal coach/musical theatre singer, my dad playing bass and getting up on stage like a rockstar, and my sister being a brilliant songwriter & businesswoman. My journey has been a compilation of everything I was surrounded by. I started out acting as a kid, singing jazz in high school, and doing musical theatre in New York as a teenager, which then led me to move to New York right after high school instead of going to college. I continued auditioning but fell deeply in love with songwriting and performing my own music, and I loved merging the love I have for jazz, with my original songs. Performing then turned into meeting other songwriters who started hiring me to sing their songs, which turned into doing a bunch of session work and now singing on commercials. I even got a chance to write K-Pop!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: A few years ago, I decided it was time to stop with the pigeon holing & limits! I couldn’t choose just one style of music to sing, and I don’t think anyone should ever have to. My original music is heavily influenced by old jazz & soul, but the session work I do allows me to sing a ton of different styles, so my heart is nourished 🙂 It’s fun to morph into all different characters. My own style is also a mish mosh of things: musical theatre, soul, jazz, pop, blues, funk, rock... I'm so excited to release this album. It's got a little bit of everything! I also just released an EP called "Out Of The Blues," which is a combination of originals and jazz tunes. But we also threw a Carole King tune on there. I love singing every thing, for every one. Here are some fun examples: devynrush.com/vocalsamples.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: There are so many, but among them, my #1 goal is to work with Jamie Cullum. I've loved him since I was 15 years old. He writes & plays so many different styles that are all mish moshed and reflected in his music, and I. Love. It. I'm currently recording my first full-length album of originals, and Jamie has been a BIG inspiration through every musical endeavor I've had.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Well, I'm not a music producer and I won't claim to be. BUT, if there's one thing I've learned, it's to make sure you always ask for the sample rate before pressing record on a vocal! ;-)

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: - Toy commercials that require a cool but youthful sound - Pop tracks for other artists & sync - Jazz - Soul

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Learning quickly to provide a quick turnaround for songwriters & composers Combining Precision & Technique with Soul & Vibe Soundalikes/Imitations Vocal Comping

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Oftentimes, I'll receive a track with a scratch vocal on it that is very precise. I'm a big believer in learning the box so that you can get outside of it. When I sing on songwriters' & composers' tracks, I like to combine precision & technique with soul & vibe. That way, you're getting an authentic vocal that will *feel* good and won't need too much cleaning up!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I love sitting in my PJs and listening through any reference tracks I may receive for the project. If I'm doing a soundalike or "in the style of," I'll first practice finding the placement in my voice to match the other singer. I'll then sing the track all the way through to get warmed up, and then I might loop each section so I can really sink into it. I love this process.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a simple, effective, and PORTABLE setup! So I bring it with me everywhere I go. That way, even if I'm on vacation, I can still do the work I love the most. I use Logic, my Apogee Duet interface, AKG C414 Mic, and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: I sing jazz & soul when I'm doing the artist thing, so jazz instrumentalists & singers have been a big source of inspiration for me. My roots are in musical theatre, so I've also leaned on the inspiration from singers who are not only soulful, but who are technicians as well. It helps me stay flexible, healthy, and versatile.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I sing on a lot of commercials and TV shows. Songwriters will often hire me to sing songs they've written for sync & other artists. I sing a lot of different styles and can do a bunch of soundalikes, so I will often get hired to sing in the style of other artists for pitching purposes. I love it :)