Jamification Station Vol. 1 is a live EP culled from singer/guitarist Debra Devi’s livestream show, “Jamification Station,” hosted by American Blues Scene. Four tracks capture Devi and her band at full throttle, from catchy “Home Again” to a blistering rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic,” soulful blues-rocker “Get Free,” and uplifting Southern-rock tune “The River.”
In May 2020, Devi was in lockdown in Jersey City NJ, instead of out promoting her EP, A Zillion Stars Overhead (with Gov’t Mule bassist Jorgen Carlsson), “a collection of dreamy blues-rockers and blistering psychedelic jams” (Relix). One lonely evening, Devi put her iPhone on a stand and began her first solo livestream. Folks watching asked when she would go live again. They needed, they explained, something to look forward to during such a dark time.
Devi’s livestream morphed into bi-weekly full-band concerts streaming from drummer John Roccesano‘s Silver Horse Sound in Hoboken NJ. “We used masks, distancing and testing to keep it safe until we were vaccinated,” Devi explains. Soon, American Blues Scene was hosting “Jamification Station” on Facebook and YouTube, bringing in new fans who loved interacting in the comments, and dubbed themselves “Devians.” They nicknamed Devi’s band–Kevin Jones (bass), Martin Schmid (keys) and John Roccesano (drums)–“The Dudes.”
“Johnny recorded our streams to ProTools, so when we wrapped up the stream recently to focus on in-person shows, we began mixing Jamification Station, Vol. 1,” Devi says. “We plan to mix three of these live EPs–no overdubs allowed!”
In Feb. 2022, Devi’s neo-soul single, “Please Mr. Postman,” made Cover Me‘s “Best Cover Songs” list. In March, Devi opened for Joan Osborne, and performed with Kate Pierson (B-52s) and Cindy Cashdollar.
Devi opens for Jesse Malin at Rams Head Onstage in Maryland June 12. She and the Dudes play their EP release party at Bowery Electric NYC on June 15, 9 pm.
