Kevin Devine
A Brooklyn songwriter whose raw, confessional indie rock chronicles anxiety and hope with unflinching honesty.
Born 1979 (age 47)·American musician·Birthday: December 19·Generation X
Biography
Kevin Devine emerged from the New York DIY scene, a sharp-eyed observer armed with an acoustic guitar and a head full of the ghosts of Elliott Smith and Nirvana. His path wasn't about chasing trends but about building a direct, unbreakable connection with listeners through relentless touring and a catalog that feels like a shared secret. Whether performing solo or with his band, The Goddamn Band, Devine crafts songs that are both deeply personal and universally resonant, dissecting political disillusionment and personal turmoil with a poet's precision. His career, marked by a fierce independent streak and a series of acclaimed albums, has cemented his status as a foundational voice for those who find solace in meticulously crafted, emotionally charged songwriting.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Kevin was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kevin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Kevin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Released over a dozen studio albums, building a dedicated following through labels like Procrastinate! Music Traitors.
- Successfully funded two albums simultaneously via Kickstarter in 2013, a notable feat in fan-supported music.
- Reunited his earlier band, Miracle of 86, for a series of shows in 2013, bridging his musical past and present.
- Toured extensively with artists like Brand New and Manchester Orchestra, expanding his reach within the indie rock sphere.
Did You Know?
He is an outspoken fan of the Boston Red Sox despite being a lifelong New Yorker.
He contributed a cover of "Pale Blue Eyes" to a Velvet Underground tribute compilation.
His brother is also a musician and has performed and recorded with him.
“I think the job of a songwriter is to be a translator of emotional experiences.”
