Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with devices

Interview with Robin Footitt – lead singer and lyricist for devices, a four piece art-rock band based in London, UK as he reflects on developing music for their upcoming album ‘DIVORCES’ (released 15 May 2026, Red Tongue Music)

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

My first connection to listening came from an awareness of my own hearing disability. During standard school hearing tests at the age of five it was discovered that I was hearing impaired, deaf in one ear and slight loss in the other. I think at that age you don’t really consider differences in your own experience compared to others so this is when I first learned about spatial sound. Being unable to locate where sounds come from means that the stereo experience is not open to me – musically that has fuelled my interests. I’m attracted to music that has lyricism front and centre of a specific sound or sometimes the opposite, drenched in distortion and reverb, drowining out all clarity.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

I made music in the mid-2000s at art school whilst studying at Central Saint Martins, London (previous alumni includes The Sex Pistols, Sade and Jarvis Cocker) but I focused on my art practice of drawing and painting as a priority. During the lockdown I reconnected with music privately with quiet home listening and <once it was safe to do so> publicly with karoake in bars and it was the encouragement of Louis Richardson (devices’ drummer) that made me try out for his new band after hearing me sing ‘Whole of the Moon’ by The Waterboys.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

devices formed in the summer of 2022 with Fadi Borgi (guitar), Martin Llavallol (bass) and Louis Richardson (drums). I joined shortly afterwards in February 2023 as they looked to join together the music they were making with lyrics and a lead singer. We connected immediately and I feel we all found each other at a really formative moment. The name of the band came from these three hour band practices at Brockley Studios in South London where we could shed all our other responsibilities or distractions and just celebrate making music together “left to our own devices” – it’s also a funny coincidence that the other three members are left-handed, though I often joke that I sing left-handed!

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

We create an instinctive sound that points toward our influences (art rock, 90s indie, alternative) but also reflective of our position as four gay men who grew up with these genres packaged towards our formative years in the age of MTV and mainstream music video imagery – trying to find our place within it. The lyrics I write tend to make a visual framework of how it feels to make this sound come to life. For me it’s a big celebration and we feel so lucky to be able to make songs which we can perform live and hopefully move others to join the fun.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

I learned in the very early stages that I had reached a maturity to be able to show myself without holding back. I wasn’t performing an idealistic view of being a singer in a band, it was the confidence of having a great set of friends backing my progress that made me develop. I started singing differently, had more ideas for storytelling and performed without inhibiting myself.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

We compose as a band together – occasionally there will be an idea worked on separately but we really at our best when we support each other. For me, I build up lyric notes and ideas on my phone so I can test them out during band practice if I hear a particular melody which might suit the sound we are creating.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

I recently saw Mexican shoegaze/art rock band ‘Descartes a Kant’ (DAK) at Sebright Arms on their first tour of the UK. Their ideas and movement on stage were phenomenal, so much thought goes into their blended music infuences and performance that I’m in awe.

https://www.descartesakant.com

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

Conversations and jokes create such a rich and vibrant way to write lyrics that it always attracts the songwriter in me. Without realising it, I sometimes steer chat with friends towards things I’m writing about – it keeps the language honest and poetry of these words authentic to immesh what is really spoken about after a few drinks.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

The message is clear, music is a community and the things you feel alone when you listen are yours to own privately but alsothere is a place to share and celebrate all that you are. That’s what makes live music so cathartic, everyone becomes the band.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

If you listen and become receptive to the rhythm of others, by tuning into that frequency you can make something so special.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

London is full of beautiful venues of all sizes, I have a particular soft spot for independent venues like MOTH Club, The Lexington, Oslo, The Windmill and The Old Blue Last. devices would love to play outside of our city too as we develop and prepare to launch our first album – festivals are a great way to reach a new audience.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

David Byrne with absolutely no limits, the possibilities would be too great to resist.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

https://www.instagram.com/yourowndevices

https://linktr.ee/yourowndevices

http://www.youtube.com/@devicesband

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

Building on the experience we have had putting together our first album – the dream next chapter would be to tour the record. We have an album release show scheduled on Saturday 16 May at The Finsbury, come watch us play…

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

Our origins are global (devices guitarist grew up in Lebanon/France and bassist in Argentina), our ambitions are limitless and we make better music than your boyfriend.

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