Sisters in Sound

With New Albums, these Indiana Women Musicians Demand to Be Heard

Jennie DeVoe says career assessment is something she does all the time.

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The singer-songwriter known for her expressive voice and blond curls has been a prominent fixture of the Indianapolis music scene since 1999.

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While a breakthrough to mainstream popularity hasn’t arrived, DeVoe has built a career decorated by readers poll awards, songs sold to TV shows and supporting-act appearances with Joe Cocker, John Hiatt and, most recently, Gregg Allman. She doesn’t see any reason to stop.

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“I’m still making money. I’m still licensing songs. I’m still meeting new people,” she said. “I love recording, and I love writing.”

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DeVoe is one of several female Hoosiers who released albums in recent months.

Andra Faye is starting again in her hometown after a lengthy run as part of a successful touring act.

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The members of the Fun Girls are stepping into the spotlight after decades of largely “anonymous” singing on radio jingles and scholastic recordings.

 

“Music can be a career,” DeVoe said. “You just keep working. As long as you’re working, then you feel needed.”

 

Jennie DeVoe

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Current album: “Radiator — The Bristol Sessions.”

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Across the pond: For the third consecutive album, DeVoe traveled to England to work with producer John Parish (known for his work with U.K. rock icon PJ Harvey). DeVoe said their repeat business has led to more open, and sometimes blunt, communication. “He knows how to get me to do things better,” she said.

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About the recording: Beginning with texture cues such as “Spaghetti Western films” and “the Black Keys,” DeVoe aimed to take influences and fashion them into something new on the bluesy “Radiator.” “It’s a case of, ‘That is maybe not going to be everybody’s favorite painting, but it’s definitely unique,’ ” she said.

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