Secret Sounds

Life moves pretty fast, and Devonte Hynes keeps busy. Following the huge acclaim for his previous incarnation, the Houston-born, Essex-raised, 25 year-old indie bratpack posterboy artist formerly known as Lightspeed Champion completely lost his voice and took a hiatus. Following major surgery, not speaking a word for two months; Dev re-learned to talk, re-learned to sing and reincarnated himself as Blood Orange, the one-man DIY project showing off his new voice on album, “Coastal Grooves” telling his tales of love and loneliness.

Blood Orange songs are subtly layered, stripped-down, bedroom-built electronic compositions. They thread a heartstring-tugging line from the angst and urgency of new wave, through eighties power-pop, to the bounce and sex of American swing and R&B.

There's a palpable new obsession with oriental melodies, much technical electric guitar shredding, and on top of it all, Dev's gobsmacking new vocal style. He's gone from 'guy-singing-in-a-band' to 'virtuoso-soul-crooner-who-sounds-like-Prince's-edgier-little-sister.’ The result is intoxicating and addictive; a moody and atmospheric pop alchemy.

His new one-man live show has been honed to near-perfection in the dive bars of New York City, and it is currently blowing minds all over the world. It consists of just a backing track and Dev shredding his Stratocaster like Prince and singing and dancing like a heartbroken gangster of love.

Returning to Australia under his solo moniker, Blood Orange, Dev will treat Sydney and Melbourne to headline performances of his pumped-up drum patterns, chiming guitar tones and re-creation of genres of a forgotten era. Be prepared to kill the dance floor when Blood Orange hits the stage in January. Tickets on sale NOW.

“Devonté Hynes’s latest project is an irresistible synthesis of Eighties sounds, from galloping power-pop to rich funk-soul shudder. Hynes’s voice is refined into an emotive croon.” The Telegraph UK, 5/5

“As a record it's glaringly reminiscent of past niche musical trends, but sounds so contemporary and original that it lures you into a very confused time warp of a listening experience.” Drowned in Sound, 4.5/5

“Dev’s new venture is upbeat soulful, kinda funky and quite brilliant.” NME

Debut Album 'Coastal Grooves' Out Now Through Domino.

Secret Sounds Presents

Blood Orange

Thurs 5 Jan – Goodgod, Sydney
Tickets from moshtix.com.au or 1300 GET TIX (438 849) 

Wed 11 Jan – Nortchote Social Club
Tickets from northcotesocialclub.com  

Facebook Event: facebook.com/secretsoundstouring