‘lover’s hands’ is a song with ’70s rock feel; it’s an all-South Jersey project
OCEAN CITY – “lover’s hands” is Ocean City singer-songwriter Mary Devlin’s first professionally produced single. She is releasing the song this Friday, June 24, proud of the fact it was created where she grew up.
The 2015 Ocean City High School graduate has been working as a singer, songwriter and musician for about the past 10 years, but this is her first release that has been professionally recorded, mixed and mastered.
“I worked on it with fellow South Jersey musicians. It was totally a local project, which was awesome and something I’m proud of,” she said. “It’s the first song I’m really going overboard with in terms of promotion and trying to make it a serious thing.”
Devlin said the song is “from the standpoint of the kind of person who loves a little too much in relationships. Maybe they go after the wrong people, think if they give them everything they can the relationship will be better … but it doesn’t work out that way.”
Asked to describe the genre, Devlin said when she writes she doesn’t have a particular base. “Most people I’ve worked with on the song and who have listened to it said it sounds similar to Fleetwood Mac, which is a really big compliment. In terms of genre that’s the best thing I can think of. It’s a ’70s rock sort of sound.”
Devlin started as a performer in student-led bands and now is attending Rowan University in the music industry program.
“That program is awesome. I’ve learned so many techniques for promotion and networking. I know so many artists now,” she said. “I have put out songs in the past, but this is the first one I’m kind of putting my all into.”
Devlin used to perform exclusively with other bands, included student-led bands and then with friend Andi Myers from the time they graduated from high school until the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My friend Andi and I used to work for Ocean City as musicians. It was the coolest job ever. We would work from 10 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon twice a week. We got to play music for three hours. It was completely awesome,” she said.
“I think for a lot of performers everything came to a halt during COVID. Around that same time, the summer of 2019, I tried to go solo, which is kind of nerve-wracking,” Devlin said, noting she prefers working with other musicians.
As she releases this song Friday, Devlin said she wants to continue performing, but her interests in the music industry have expanded.
“After I graduate, which is the spring of 2023, it may sound kind of boring, but I’m hoping to get an office job with a record label. I’m really interested in the business side of things these days,” she said. “I would like to continue working as a performer, going into studios, networking with more musicians. I have a few connections in New York City so I’m kind of hoping to connect with them more and see where that goes.
“I always want to remain in the business, but more preferably on the marketing, promoting, advertising side of things,” she said.
Asked about her musical influences, Devlin gave some love to her hometown and all those who helped her along the way.
“Ocean City is such an artistic community. I always felt free to express myself in that way living here, especially in the off-season,” she said. “All the artists come together and have an open mic, or mini-concerts or parties. At Grass Roots on Asbury Avenue we used to have a party in the winter to hold everyone over until the summer.
“Growing up around here it was very musical, very artistic,” Devlin said.
The release of “lover’s hands” is set for Friday, June 24. Devlin worked with producer Brandon Ireland, another local performer, and recorded her song at Tribal Studios in Hammonton,
Find Devlin on Instagram or TikTok, where she has 38,000 followers. Look her up under the handle “beatledirt.” “It’s been my user name since I was a kid,” she laughed.
In case her TikTok handle didn’t give it away, she was a huge fan of The Beatles growing up. On Spotify, she can be found under her name. The song will be available on all streaming platforms.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff