Janet Devlin

Janet Devlin is a singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland, who first captured public attention with a viral audition (44m views) and subsequent place as a finalist on The X Factor UK in 2011. Known for her distinctive, ethereal voice, Devlin quickly established herself as a unique artist, blending folk, pop, and acoustic influences. Throughout her career, Devlin has been candid about her struggles with mental health, using her music as a platform to explore themes of vulnerability, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Her 2020 album, ‘Confessional’, was a deeply personal project accompanied by a memoir that delved into her battles with addiction and mental illness.

Devlin then entered a bold new chapter and embraced her love of country music and released her first alt-country single “Place Called Home” in 2021. Over a period of months, she continued to develop her songwriting in this genre for her third album ‘Emotional Rodeo’ alongside collaborators including Ben Earle from The Shires, Kaity Rae (GIRLI, Beth McCarthy), Jamie Sellers (Elton John, Ed Sheeran) and Ian Barter (Paloma Faith, Gabrielle). She further refined the tracks throughout 2022 and early 2023, after being invited by Russell Crowe to open for him at his live shows across Australia and Europe. It was during this period of extensive touring, that further solidified her determination to make ‘Emotional Rodeo’ a reality.

The album’s title track serves as a metaphor for the highs and lows of relationships, reflecting Devlin’s personal battles with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The track made a significant mark on the charts, reaching No. 15 on the UK iTunes Charts, No. 4 on the iTunes Country Charts, and No. 31 on the Big Top 40. This success sparked national radio play on Capital and Heart, specialist national air play and grabbed the attention of notable publications such as The Sun, The Irish Post, The Irish News, and METAL Magazine. “Red Flag” was recently featured in BBC Radio 2’s Playlist, elevating Devlin’s storming success to a national level and showcasing the track’s universal appeal.

‘Emotional Rodeo’ is not just an album but a statement of self-acceptance. Drawing inspiration from artists as diverse as Chris Stapleton and Tim McGraw, to Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat, Devlin’s approach embodies empowerment and authenticity. Her candid exploration of mental health and emotional complexity resonates deeply, making this project her most relatable and personal to date.

Alongside her label, OK!Good Records, and with a collection of road-tested tracks in her pocket, she then headed to Martina McBride’s iconic Blackbird Studio in Nashville. There, she collaborated with a team of seasoned musicians including legends like Charlie McCoy and Rob McNelley, who have worked with icons such as Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. The resulting album blends country-rock with her signature heartfelt lyricism, tackling topics like relationships, mental health, and self-discovery.

In addition to her musical endeavours, Devlin was the subject of a powerful documentary aired on BBC One entitled “Janet Devlin: Young, Female and Addicted”. During the programme she confronts her addiction to alcohol and meets other young women affected by problematic drinking. It became one of the platform’s top streamed documentaries. Devlin’s commitment to artistic authenticity and her openness about life’s challenges have solidified her status as a powerful voice in contemporary music, resonating with listeners worldwide.