Devon Gilfillian Shares New Single 'Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)'
Devon Gilfillian released his new single, an emotional cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler).” The song originally appeared on Gaye’s 1971 album, What’s Going On, which Rolling Stone recently named the greatest album of all time. Gilfillian has joined forces with a group of like-minded artists to bring fresh interpretations to the iconic album with his version of What's Going On, set for October 22 release on Capitol Records.
In continuity with the message established in his top five AAA radio hit “The Good Life,” this project was born from Gilfillian’s mission to bring people together, further the conversation on racial injustice and raise voter awareness. The album features a host of guest collaborators, including Emmy and GRAMMY-winning artist Jasmine Cephas Jones and GRAMMY nominee Ruby Amanfu. Gilfillian’s version of “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” was Music Choice’s Most Added Adult Alternative Song of the Week.
On October 1, Gilfillian and his band played What’s Going On front-to-back, joined by special guests from around the country - Aaron Lee Tasjan, Breland, Drew Holcomb, Emoni Wilkins, Grace Potter, Jason Eskridge, Jason Isbell, Joy Oladokun, Katie Pruitt, Kyshona Armstrong, Lera Lynn, Local Natives, The Lone Bellow, Marcus King, Nickie Conley and The War and Treaty. Presented in partnership with voting rights non-profit The Equity Alliance, Nugs.net, HeadCount.org, Luck Reunion and Newport Folk Festival, the livestream concert benefited The Equity Alliance.
In this review, Nashville Scene noted, “The record is a perfect fit for Gilfillian’s smooth and soulful voice and it points toward ways to navigate the social and political chaos we’re experiencing today…Gilfillian & Co.’s 90-minute set served as a reminder of how great art can simultaneously address the moment in which it was created and have an impact that lasts long after that time passes.”
Gilfillian’s debut album, Black Hole Rainbow, was released by Capitol Records earlier this year. The New York Times praised it as a “formidable debut album” and The Tennessean declared it “one of the best albums released this year, period.” Black Hole Rainbow also won a spot on Iowa Public Radio’s list of “The Best New Albums (So Far) Of 2020.”
He performed the national anthem at NASCAR 2020 on the day they banned the Confederate flag. He recently launched The Good Life Fund, which supports organizations that are doing good in the world. Gilfillian has played numerous festivals, including Newport Folk and Montreal Jazz. He has supported such artists as Mavis Staples, Grace Potter, Local Natives, Lauren Daigle, KALEO, Michael McDonald, Chaka Kahn, Keith Urban, Gladys Knight, Brothers Osborne and Michael Franti & Spearhead.
