Sound of the City: Devours chimes in on depression, hyping other artists, and Tropical Skittles
The underground queer pop project of DIY artist Jeff Cancade, Devours curates an all-Vancouver playlist
SOUND OF THE CITY is a series created in partnership by the City of Vancouver and Stir that showcases Vancouver’s diverse music scene, highlighting BIPOC and underrepresented artists and acts. Each edition features a Q&A and a Sound of the City playlist curated by the artist that features some of their favourite local musicians.
Devours
DEVOURS IS THE underground queer pop project of Vancouver-based DIY artist Jeff Cancade. Over the last five years, Devours has released three full-length studio records of danceable bedroom pop featuring confessional songs that touch on masculinity, body image, gay politics, self-love, and nostalgia.
His latest release, Escape from Planet Devours, is a ’90s action-blockbuster themed double album about liberating oneself from heteronormativity, depression, loneliness, and mainstream culture. (The album was released on vinyl and digital via his recently launched boutique label, surviving the game.)
Read what’s on Devours’ mind these days and listen to his Sound of the City playlist. below.
“I decided to give the playlist a theme,” Devours says. “ I chose 20-ish of my favourite Vancouver songs of all time, going all the way back to the 90s!”
1. The Organ - Memorize the City
2. Devours - Exposure
3. Belle Game - Yuh
4. Weed - Offsides
5. Apollo Ghosts - Landmark
6. Future Star - Movie Life
7. Shitlord Fuckerman - Cicadabanana
8. Dead Soft - Emergency
9. Ladyhawk - Bedbugs
10. Dumb - Magistrate
11. Kellarissa - Too Drunk to Be Afraid
12. Non La - Come On
13. Sarah McLachlan - Sweet Surrender
14. Matthew Good Band - Everything Is Automatic
15. Limblifter - Tinfoil
16. Yu Su - Xiu
17. Nu Sensae - Spit Gifting
18. White Lung - Bag
19. Mr. Merlot - K.T.I.C.
20. Twin River - Antony
21. Shimmering Stars - Dereglement
Devours’ Playlist
How are you feeling about life right now?
This past year has been one of the worst years of my life, but I finally found a job a few months ago, which is helping my mental health a little bit. I’ve been eating Tropical Skittles every night and calling my mom a lot.
How has the pandemic affected your work?
COVID wiped out a lot of performances for me in 2020, including SXSW and a few other festivals. I was too depressed to create art for a while. Devours and the Golden Age of Wrestling (my other project) are both solo and entirely DIY, so I wasn’t one of the thousands of local musicians who couldn’t jam with their band, but I was so stressed about unemployment and the pandemic that it stifled me for a long time.
What are you working on right now? Do you have any plans or projects lined up for 2021?
I just released a double album called Escape from Planet Devours. I also recently launched my own label, called surviving the game. My plans for the rest of the year include hyping more artists through my label, preparing my next album for the Golden Age of Wrestling, and eating more Tropical Skittles. Oh, and playing some Devours shows, I think!
Where are you finding solace and comfort?
I haven’t felt much of either this past year, but I’ve been finding a bit of solace by going for walks around China Creek Park and watching reruns of the OC.
What are you most looking forward to once the pandemic passes?
I started a new job a few months ago, and it’s been hard meeting coworkers because I’m at home. I'm excited to actually go to work and be around human beings again. I’d also love to put on another release show for Escape from Planet Devours, but have it be in person this time.
What song or album has been in your heavy rotation recently and why?
The new Sam Tudor album Two Half Words is fantastic. I can really hear his scope and ambition growing with every release, and his new album has been really inspiring me to collaborate more with other musicians.
Can you give a shoutout to one of your favourite Vancouver musicians or artists? What about them inspires you?
Casey Wei is one of the most underrated artists in Vancouver; check out Kamikaze Nurse (music) and Agony Klub (DIY label). Casey’s talent, taste level, and work ethic inspire me.
What would you like to see change in Vancouver?
Vancouver is a really difficult city for musicians. We’re extremely isolated here, due to geography. There is a tremendous amount of talent and exciting music being made here, but it feels like the rest of Canada doesn’t care about what's coming out of the Vancouver arts community. I’d like to see more media support.
Who is your dream collaborator?
Missy Elliott.
Who else would you like to see curate a Sound of the City playlist?
Lucid (@lu_6d)
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