Musician Kimmie Devereux joins us on the Remnants of Nova blog to discuss her new single " For LJ" and how she's making an impact through her work.
It took me a very long time to define who I am as an artist. I believe any form of art, like humans, is ever-evolving.
My own personal growth as an artist mirrors this constant evolution. In the music industry, there’s always talk about an artist’s distinctive “sound." This is a concept I've struggled with for years, continually striving to differentiate myself from others. I came to realize that being my authentic self was truly all I had to strive for. The second I let go of that search to be a unique artist no one else has ever heard of or even been before, I gained the clarity to concentrate on the type of music I wanted to create and the messages I wanted to share. My latest single, "For LJ," is a piece that encompasses just that. It’s a song I hold close to my heart because it comes from my most honest self and embodies everything I value in life.
Being a small queer independent artist, I'm grateful that I've been able to cultivate a social media following who supports my music journey. I always strive to create a safe space for my followers. Given my passion and advocacy for mental health, I often talk to my followers about their struggles and provide guidance to assure that they never feel alone. "For LJ" was inspired by a personal experience that I encountered back in the fall of 2021. I had someone reach out to me regarding their ongoing battle with suicidal thoughts, and our numerous exchanges via Instagram DMs extended into a late-night call. It’s a night I won’t ever forget because it was the first time I found myself talking to someone on the verge of taking their own life.
With pills clutched in their hand, I stayed on the phone with them all night long to remind them they were never alone and had the strength to push through. Thankfully, they made it through the night. Though we've never met in person, they've left an eternal impact on me. The following day, I sought out help from law enforcement to conduct a wellness check, ensuring their well-being after such a heavy and emotional night. For me, I didn’t understand the effect it would have on me until my next therapy session. As I sat with this and coped, I couldn’t help but wish I could do more to help. I hated that I couldn’t physically be there and I was terrified that one day I might not be able to answer their call. So, as most songwriters do, I turned to music. I knew by channeling this into a song, I could get through these emotions I was dealing with and potentially provide something for my friend to hold on to in moments when I’m not around. I brought this story into a writing session with two other queer artists/writers certain that they were the perfect people to breathe life into this song. And just like that, "For LJ" was born.
"For LJ'" will be released this September for Suicide Awareness Month. The Remnants of Nova team couldn't be more proud of Kimmie and all she's created and shared with the world.
Follow Kimmie on Spotify to be the first to hear "For LJ" when it drops and to check out more of her work.
So proud to have the pleasure of having multiple conversations with Kimmie & to share her music with as many people as I can. Her authenticity and genuine personality shows in everything she does!