Interview With Janet Devlin

Today is a big day for Janet Devlin, not only is her long-awaited sophomore album, Confessional, finally released, but her autobiography, My Confessional, is also available. Having spoken out earlier this year about the rather tumultuous journey she has had since she first rose to prominence on the X Factor.

Having been blown away by both halves of the new release, we wanted to catch up with Janet to learn a little more.

Hi Janet, firstly how are you doing?

I’m doing well thank you! Well, as well as one can be right now!

How have you been finding the lockdown experience?

It’s been a bunch of wild ups and downs if I’m being honest. Somedays I oddly enjoy the fact that I’m not allowed to go outside - my inner introvert revels in it. On the other hand, I miss the freedom to go about my life.

It is now 9 years since The X Factor. If you had your time again, would you still audition?

Absolutely, yes. The show taught me so many important lessons that I still use to this day. One in particular I still live by which is that I don’t hit the self-destruct button as frequently, if I have goals that I’m working towards. Music is my saving grace so as long as I’m striving for something there, I’m not likely to self-implode.

You have just released the autobiography, My Confessional. It details your tumultuous journey. What prompted to decision to write it?

I wanted to share the experiences that I’ve been through and be the most honest version of myself. When I started writing though, I realised the songs were sounding very self-indulgent. I took a more metaphorical approach to the writing process as a result, but in doing so, realised I wasn’t being as honest as I wanted to be. This led to the idea of writing the book. I could finally write my story without limitations and share the true nitty gritty of how my life’s been.



Your upcoming album, Confessional, is equally personal. Were the two written simultaneously?

Yes, after the initial realisation that I needed to write the book, the two happened side by side. Though never really at the same time. I wrote out a list of topics that I wanted to cover in the book, which meant that to write about them, I had to also write the song to go with it. I was going to so many sessions during the day and just trying to get as much of the book done in the evenings or weekends.

You spoke out about your battle with addiction on YouTube earlier this year. Did you find that to be a cathartic process?

Absolutely. It’s something that’s been a part of my life now for five years and I believe it shapes me. So to not talk about it for so long was actually harder than the opening up. I can’t really explain how freeing it is to finally be able to speak up and show people who I really am, and talk about the events in my life that have shaped me. Also, it’s something I’ve had to do already almost every day in recovery so it’s a topic I’m comfortable talking about.

Being able to speak so openly and freely, have you been able to connect with any fans who have been battling to come to terms with their own battle?

Yes! Every day I receive messages from people who’ve shared similar experiences. Though it saddens me to know they’ve been where I’ve been, it makes me so happy to see others talking so openly about their own stories. Though I can’t respond to every message, I’ve tried my best to reply to as many as possible.

Having come through to a more positive point in your life, how have you found it has altered your ambitions?

I think if it has taught me anything, it’s that I’m resilient. So this has allowed me to start dreaming bigger! Though my goals have always been big, my attitude towards them and attaining them is much more possible. I’m filled with much more “I can” and “I will” these days.

Confessional is easily one of the finest releases we have heard this year. Are you excited to finally release it?

Thank you so much! I really am over the moon. I’ve spent so long talking about it, that I’m just so happy it’s really happening and wasn’t just a concept that remained in my head. I’m now ready to let people have it and hopefully, enjoy it.

Is there a song you are most nervous about people hearing?

Probably ‘Speak’. It’s the one that’s least bathed in metaphor. You know what it’s about when you hear it. I still find it a hard one to listen to actually, but I’m so glad I wrote it because it’s just raw and real to me.

How have your plans been effected by the pandemic?

They’ve been altered massively! Mainly the lack of live shows right now and for promo, as I was so looking forward to finally coming back out and hitting the road after such a long touring gap! It’s changed how I’m able to promote the record too, as it’s now much harder to get tv and radio, moreso than ever. It’s also changed the ways I’m able to post online. I don’t want to be over-selling something when the world is in such a sensitive place so it’s trying to find a balance which I feel is very important.

The music industry has had to rapidly alter, how have you found the changes?

Not too much has changed for me to be honest, apart from the lack of live shows. I’ve been doing online gigs now for six years, so I’m used to that element being a regular thing I do. I’m also used to creating lots of content for my YouTube channel so that has continued in lockdown. So everything somehow looks the same on the surface for me, even though the world has changed drastically.

Your sound has grown hugely in the last decade, if you had to describe your sound, what five words would you use?

Celtic, whimsical, dark, emo and raw.

Lastly, if you could offer any words of advice to anyone reading this article, what would they be?

Run your own race. There’s no point in comparing your journey to anyone else’s because everyone’s lives are so different – so embrace it. A wise man once said: “Comparison is the thief of joy”.