Devin Cuddy – Photo: Jen Squires
The 159th Annual Spencerville Fair has arrived and they’ve got a weekend jam packed of activities and an entertainment lineup that is, once again, second to no other fair in Eastern Ontario. We recently published our interview with Tebey who makes up half of Saturday’s entertainment lineup along with Dallas Smith, today we shift our focus to the roots of popular music as we know it with the Devin Cuddy band.
Being the son of Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy, Devin Cuddy, has been surrounded by music his entire life. We had the distinct pleasure of seeing Devin perform live last summer at Boots and Hearts Country Music festival but one thing is fairly certain Devin Cuddy can’t really be described as country. Perhaps pinning him to a single genre of music would do him the greatest injustice but if one had to the only one that would fit would be Roots. Why do we pick roots? Simply because when you listen to Devin’s music it takes you back to the early years of popular music, back to the saloons and the days of the lounge singers but with a twist of modern honky tonk. There’s no doubt that Blue Rodeo has had a huge influence in Devin’s music but he has taken that influence and used it as a foundation to build on. It’s been a busy summer for Devin, he’s toured as a special guest with Blue Rodeo on their 2014 tour and released a new album ‘Kitchen Knife‘ which is available now.
We managed to catch up to Devin between shows and he agreed to answer a few questions for us so that you can get to know him a bit better.
20 Questions with Devin Cuddy
#1: Let’s get the obvious question that I’m sure you get asked a million times out of the way first. You’re the son of Jim Cuddy, of Blue Rodeo fame (I actually spent a few hours with your dad a few years ago in Pembroke before a show driving him around town, one of my favorite people). What was it like growing up in the Cuddy household and how did it influence your music today?
DC: At the time it was very normal, I didn’t really have anything to compare it to. Recently I’ve been able to reflect on the shows and musicians that I met and I’ve only just realized that, ya, it was pretty cool. I found my style through my dads music collection, sifting through I found everything from Louis Armstrong to Townes Van Zandt. These artists are the reason I sound the way I do.
#2: Every artist I’ve spoken to has a story about how / when they decided to pursue music as a career. Growing up as part of the Blue Rodeo family almost certainly played a role in your decision but was there a moment you can think of where you knew that music was something you wanted to pursue?
DC: From my early teens I knew I liked music, but wasn’t really sure I wanted to pursue music as a career. I enjoyed playing, but mostly on my own, learning pieces and messing around. Even through university (I went to York for jazz piano) I still wasn’t sure it was what I wanted to do. When I got out of school I had a friend, Cosmo Ferraro, who was running a great music bar in toronto called the Cameron House. Cosmo and a couple of my other friends encouraged me to play there and after my first gig I was pretty sold on the idea of being a performer, I haven’t looked back since.
#3: It’s not uncommon in music to collaborate with other artists, Blue Rodeo did it with Sarah McLachlan as an example. Name three artists that you would love to collaborate with in your career that you haven’t already collaborated with.
Randy Newman
Steve Earle
Bruce Springsteen
DC: Well, I’ve found songwriting to be a solitary pursuit for me, something I do on my own. However there are some artists you just couldn’t say no to, namely your heroes. So mine would be (living at least) Randy Newman, Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen (an obvious one).
#4: We were lucky enough to catch you live last summer at Boots and Hearts, you have a unique sound that really comes across well in a live show. Are you comfortable on stage or do you still get butterflies?
DC: I’ve been getting better over the last few years, but I still get nervous, rumbles in my stomach. Each show touches on different nerves, hoping to ditch that soon. My nerves only strike before the show though. Once we start, and it feels good, the band is rolling and we’re having fun, then all is good.
#5: Your career is still in its very early stages but if you look at where you are now what would you say has been your defining moment to date?
DC: Going on tour with Blue Rodeo was a big one for us, big venues, big shows and good reception. It’s definitely been the best thing for our career so far. Musically I would say we grow with each show, and every night my band impresses me more and more, so each night is defining for us as a group. Playing with those guys is a real treat (Devon Richardson on bass, Zach Sutton on drums and Nichol Robertson on Guitar)
#6: What’s your all-time favourite movie?
DC: I’d have to go with Annie Hall, first time I saw it I watched it twice.
#7: Your ideal brain food?
DC: Chips, love chips of all kinds. Its an addiction.
#8: Favourite Restaurant (anywhere in the world)?
DC: In the world is tough, but in Toronto (my home) its Koh San Road, really great thai food, best I’ve had outside of Thailand
#9: Favourite TV show (all-time)?
Tony Soprano
DC: Sopranos, no explanation required on that one.
#10: If you could see any artist in concert, who would you see (living or dead)?
DC: That I haven’t seen? Probably Townes Van Zandt (soberish). Otherwise Randy Newman, again and again.
#11: iPhone, Android or Blackberry?
blackberry
DC: Blackberry, staying on the ship as it goes down.
#12: Can you talk about a fan encounter that completely took you by surprise?
DC: I hear a lot of stories about jim and greg from the old days, but haven’t had anything too shocking yet. A lot of Rodeo fans who want me to marry their daughters though.
#13: Who would you say has been the biggest influence on your music?
DC: I would say Steve Earle in terms of his easy to play fun and story telling songs. I try to replicate a lot of Randy Newman too. I’ve always enjoyed his sense of satire.
#14: Name a fictional character most like you?
DC: My girlfriend says Tom Sawyer
#15: In “Devin Cuddy, Story of My Life” – The Movie, who would play you?
Michael Shannon as Devin Cuddy in movie of his life?
DC: I’ve been told I look like Michael Shannon, so I guess him, at least in my latter years
#16: Star Trek or Star Wars?
DC: Star Wars, although I love both
#17: Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
DC: Prozac for sure
#18: There’s no doubt that your dad or even other members of Blue Rodeo have offered their support and advice to you as you started your career in music, what would you say was the best advice you’ve ever been given?
DC: The one thing that really stuck with me was “always be nice”. Theres been a lot of little things, tips about the road and filling big stages. Its a really great source of knowledge for us.
#19: Charity is such a big part of the entertainment business, especially right now with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Is there a charity that’s close to your heart that you would like to raise more awareness for?
DC: Music Counts is very close to my heart, I think music education is very important and I’ve worked with them a bit. I’ve also done some work with The Regent Park School Of Music who provide subsidized music lessons for low income families in toronto. We made this music video with the choir there.
#20: At the end of July you released your second album, Kitchen Knife. What can you tell us about the album and what more can we expect from Devin Cuddy in the future?
DC: The album is a continuation of our style, with a bit more mature songwriting and some more production, but we still keep it kind of raw. We have a country wide tour coming up in the fall and we’re going to keep taking our record all over the world I hope.
We thank Devin for taking the time to answer our questions and truly believe that he will long carry the Cuddy family torch into a long successful musical career just like his father before him. Devin performs at the Spencerville Fair on Friday September 12, 2014 along with Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea. If you are attending Ottawa Folk Fest this weekend be sure to catch Devin at that event as well where he will host a workshop at 3pm on Saturday September 13 and perform with his band at 4pm.
To find out when Devin will be playing near you or to purchase his music be sure to visit his website www.devincuddy.com!