

DEVON GILFILLIAN – LOVE YOU ANYWAY
“When there are dark clouds overhead and the shit is hitting the fan, you’ve still gotta find joy somehow,” the rising singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Devon Gilfillian said, with a smile. As the pain of the pandemic persisted and the United States’ political chasm widened, Gilfillian relied on a few simple resources: the music of Marvin Gaye, new love, therapy, and his beloved cats, Barry White and Felicia. The result of that warmhearted self-care is the aptly titled Love You Anyway (Fantasy Records), an album spanning soul, hip-hop, R&B, and rock all under the banner of Black joy. “I wanted to share my story and pour a whole lot of love into the gap that’s grown between people in our country,” Gilfillian says.
Potent, seductive, and raw, Love You Anyway is an intoxicating, genre-blasting game changer that re-imagines modern soul music by redefining its possibilities. With an incisive eye and unassuming swagger, Gilfillian ignites the mind, and makes the body move.
Produced by Jeremy Lutito (Joy Oladokun, NEEDTOBREATHE) and recorded in Nashville, Love You Anyway, confronts as well as comforts. Chronicling Gilfillian’s journey as a Black artist living in the tumult of 21st century America, the album’s 10 original tracks, (all co-written by Gilfillian) are as much about fighting for what you believe in, equity and representation, as it is about love¾finding it, making it, and channeling it into every facet of our lives.
An ecstatic proclamation of self-empowerment and love, opener “All I Really Wanna Do,” sets the tone immediately. Over a slithery, R&B bed of electric guitars and supple bass, Gilfillian effortlessly rides this enticing, Temptations infused invitation, looking to find that place where he and a special someone can “be as weird as we are.” The track’s free-flowing sonic exploration moves with a deep appreciation for embracing one’s truest self, even when bumping up against some long and difficult odds. Likewise, on “Love You Anyway,” the album’s anthemic, irresistible end-title track, Gilfillian promises that no hatred will change his bright spirit. “We’re all broken, cracks in our hearts/ Let hope in, light in the dark/ I’m gonna love you anyway,” he sings, the comfort radiating endlessly.
Ever the optimist, Gilfillian stared down the difficult time of the last few years and took the bold stance of hope and love. “Everyone has their screws that are loose, and you just have to find and surround yourself with the people that know how to tighten them,” he says. “Love You Anyway is all about growing into that knowledge and still loving yourself in the process.”
That enduring positivity was instilled in him as a young boy growing-up on the musically fertile streets of Philadelphia, PA. His musician father’s love for classic soul permeated the household, the crackling vinyl, and warm and tender lyrics laying a musical base that persists to this day. As a teenager, Gilfillian picked out tunes by everyone from Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder to AC/DC and Led Zeppelin on his guitar, while also obsessing over contemporary hip-hop and rap artists including Wu-Tang Clan, Kanye West, Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z. After relocating to Nashville as a volunteer through AmeriCorps, Gilfillian quickly nestled into the local music community, signed a record deal and in 2020, released his acclaimed GRAMMY-nominated debut album, Black Hole Rainbow. The socially aware artist then followed it with a track-x-track cover of Marvin Gaye’s classic What’s Going On, donating the proceeds to local organizations that fight voter suppression and support democratic justice.
Summoning an array of musical touchstones amid a rush of unexpected ear-catching twists, Love You Anyway is as listenable as it is thought-provoking. Soulful disruptors, “The Recipe,” and “Right Kind of Crazy,” wrap around “Brown Sugar Queen,” a Prince meets Anderson Paak super-sized jam (featuring rising Swedish soul star Janice.) And while Bill Withers’ slinky gift for melody is evoked on “Better Broken,” don’t be fooled, it’s Gilfillian’s blazing talent and effortless charisma that makes Love You Anyway such a memorable ride.
Fellow R&B soul singer Nathaniel Rateliff guests on the grit and glimmer of “Righteous,” a call for humility and finding equal ground. “Nathaniel and I met at Newport Folk Festival and singing some Marvin Gaye tunes with him really changed the way I was feeling about music,” Gilfillian says.
The gospel tinged “Let the Water Flow,” was inspired by the pain and suffering Black Georgians have endured for decades, most recently in the form of the latest round of voter suppression. The moving track’s choir of voices embodies the fight for freedom and equality that can never be silenced. “Let the water flow to Georgia / Oh because I have to believe/ One day we’ll find freedom/ Till then no justice no peace,” Gilfillian’s soaring voice rings out. Though not as explicitly political in their messaging, the album’s love songs still feel like they can change the world in their focus on equality and freedom of expression¾something close to the songwriter’s heart. “Being open-minded and accepting of everyone, no matter their orientation or how they identify, is essential,” he says. “We all have to love ourselves and each other on the path of growth.”
Performing has become another essential part of Gilfillian’s path. The in-demand musician has maintained a relentless touring schedule, burnishing his growing reputation as a captivating, can’t-miss live performer. Commanding club, theater, and festival stages around the world, while also supporting artists such as Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lake Street Dive, Anderson East, Keith Urban, Gladys Knight, Kaleo, The Fray, and Mavis Staples, among many others, Gilfillian is building an enduring connection with a burgeoning audience both in the U.S and overseas.
“As a kid, I never fit into any one group. I am mixed, so I never felt white enough for the white kids, or black enough for the black kids. I was too nerdy for the jocks and too goofy for the science nerds,” he explains. “During the pandemic, I realized that for me, creating art was about healing, a way to connect with different types of people and make them feel vulnerable enough to relate to others who may be going through similar things.”
ARTIST: Devon Gilfillian
TITLE: Love You Anyway
LABEL: Fantasy Records
Street Date: 04/07/2023
Produced by Jeremy Lutito
Recorded by Jeremy Lutito, Logan Matheny and Reid Leslie at Club Roar & Immersion Studios
Assistant Engineer: Reid Leslie
“Brown Sugar Queen” recorded by Jeremy Lutito
“Better Broken” and “Follow The Leader” recorded by Jeremy Lutito and Reid Leslie
“All I Really Wanna Do,” “The Recipe” and “Right Kind Of Crazy” assistant engineer: Nathan Gamble
Mixed by NealHPogue for 411 E 9th Ave
Mixed at TheHotPurplePettingZoo
Additional Production on “All I Really Wanna Do”: Ran Jackson
Mastered by Mike Bozzi at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Photography: Emmanuel Afolabi
Package Design: Sage Lamonica
Thank you:
First off, I want to thank everyone I wrote this album with – Ran Jackson, Henry Brill, Jeremy Lutito, James Flannigan, Tim Bruns, Bear Rinehart, Ryan Linvill, Danny Silberstein, Jamie Liddell, and Sam DeJong; everyone that played on this album, Ryan Conners, Joshua “Mookie” Blaylock, Nate Felty, Taylor “Sweet T” Thompson, Jonathan “Saucy Professor” Smalt, Ray Mason, and Emmanuel Echem. Thank you to Maureen Murphy, Nickie Conley, and Emoni Wilkins for singing like angels. Thank you to Janice for singing on “Brown Sugar Queen,” and thank you Meggan Utech for being my BSQ. Special thank you to Nathaniel Rateliff for singing on “Righteous.” Thank you to Reid Leslie and Logan Mathaney for your sound wizardry. Thank you to Club Roar Studios. Thank you, Kellie Lutito, for keeping our bellies full and minds clear. Super special thanks to Jeremy Lutito for writing on and producing this album, and Jonathan Smalt for helping produce and shape this album into this beauty. Thank you to my incredible team, especially Paul Steele, Chris Fairbank, Karrie Tatum, Buster Phillips, Jeff Colvin, Rob Gordon, Margi Cheske, Matt Marshall, Stephanie Hopson, and the entire Fantasy Records team. Thank you to my Kobalt fam. Thank you to Emmanuel Afolabi, Beoncia Dunn, and Sage Lamonica for your creative vision on the album design. Thank you, Mom, Dad, Cacia, and Ryan. Thank you, Barry and Felicia. Thank you, Marley. Thank you, Stacey Abrams. Thank you, Marvin Gaye. Thank you, Nana. And most of all, thank YOU, whoever you are, reading this, listening. You are the rhyme and the reason.
Artist Representation/Management: Jonathan Smalt | Triple 8 Management
fantasyrecordings.com
℗ & © 2023 Fantasy Records. Manufactured for and Distributed by Concord, 10 Lea Avenue, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37210. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. Made in U.S.A. FAN01957
(Devon Gilfillian-Henry Brill-Ran Jackson)
Devon Gilfillian Songs administered by Kobalt Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Kobalt Group Publishing (SESAC) / Richmond Park Publishing (BMI)
Devon Gilfillian: vocals, guitar
Jeremy Lutito: drums, keys, synth bass
Taylor Thompson: bass
Ryan Connors: piano
Joshua Blaylock: piano
Nate Felty: percussion
Jonathan Smalt: percussion
Ray Mason: horns
(Devon Gilfillian-Henry Brill-Ran Jackson-Jeremy Lutito)
Devon Gilfillian Songs administered by Kobalt Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Kobalt Group Publishing (SESAC) / Richmond Park Publishing (BMI) / Immersion Music Concord Music Publishing (BMI)
Devon Gilfillian: vocals, guitar
Jeremy Lutito: drums, keys, synth bass
Jonathan Smalt: drums
Taylor Thompson: bass
Ryan Connors: piano
Joshua Blaylock: organ
Nate Felty: percussion
(Devon Gilfillian-Daniel Silberstein-Ryan Linvill)
Devon Gilfillian Songs administered by Kobalt Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Slimdan Technology Songs / Hipgnosis Beats (BMI) (Administered by Hipgnosis Songs Group) / So Many Mountains Publishing and PW Arrangements
Devon Gilfillian: vocals, guitar
Janice: vocals
Jeremy Lutito: keys, synth, percussion
Jonathan Smalt: drums, percussion, claps
Emmanuel Echem: trumpet
Ray Mason: trumpet, trombone, party horn
Taylor Thompson: bass
(Devon Gilfillian-Henry Brill-Ran Jackson)
Devon Gilfillian Songs administered by Kobalt Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Kobalt Group Publishing (SESAC) / Richmond Park Publishing (BMI)
Devon Gilfillian: vocals, guitar
Jeremy Lutito: keys, synth bass, drums
Jonathan Smalt: drums, percussion
Joshua Blaylock: synth
(Devon Gilfillian-Ran Jackson-Henry Brill)
Copyright Control
Devon Gilfillian: vocals
Maureen Murphy: background vocals
Joshua Blaylock: piano, organ
Jonathan Smalt, Jeremy Lutito, Taylor Thompson, Devon Gilfillian: stomps, claps
(Devon Gilfillian-Jamie Lidderdale)
Devon Gilfillian Songs administered by Kobalt Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Corgi / Kobalt (ASCAP)
Devon Gilfillian: vocals, background vocals, guitar
Jeremy Lutito: keys, synth, mellotron, sampler
Jonathan Smalt: drums, percussion
Taylor Thompson: bass
Ray Mason: horns
(Devon Gilfillian-Sam de Jong-Jeremy Lutito)
Devon Gilfillian Songs administered by Kobalt Music Publishing (ASCAP) /Sony/ATV Ballad (BMI) / Chigostick Music (BMI) administered by Concord Copyrights (BMI) c/o Concord Music Publishing
Devon Gilfillian: vocals, background vocals, guitar
Jeremy Lutito: keys, synth, drums
Jonathan Smalt: drums, percussion
Taylor Thompson: bass
(Devon Gilfillian-Henry Brill-Jeremy Lutito)
Devon Gilfillian Songs administered by Kobalt Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Kobalt Group Publishing (SESAC) / Immersion Music Concord Music Publishing (BMI)
Devon Gilfillian: vocals, background vocals, guitar
Jeremy Lutito: keys, synth, synth bass
Jonathan Smalt: drums, percussion
Taylor Thompson: bass
(Devon Gilfillian-Bear Rinheart-Tim Bruns)
Devon Gilfillian Songs administered by Kobalt Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Bear Claw Cuts (BMI), Administered by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing (BMI) / Tim Bruns Music / Concord Music Publishing (ASCAP)
Devon Gilfillian: vocals, background vocals, guitar
Nathaniel Rateliff: background vocals
Jeremy Lutito: keys, synth, piano, synth bass
Jonathan Smalt: drums, percussion
Taylor Thompson: bass
(Devon Gilfillian-Joshua Blaylock)
Devon Gilfillian Songs administered by Kobalt Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Joshua Blaylock (BMI)
Joshua Blaylock: piano
(Devon Gilfillian-Henry Brill-James Flannigan-Jeremy Lutito)
Devon Gilfillian Songs administered by Kobalt Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Kobalt Group Publishing (SESAC) / Flanimal Kingdom (ASCAP) /Administered by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing / Immersion Music Concord Music Publishing (BMI)
Devon Gilfillian: vocals, guitar, background vocals
Maureen Murphy: background vocals, vocal ad-libs
Gideon Klein: strings
Emoni Wilkins: background vocals
Nickie Conley: background vocals
Jeremy Lutito: piano
Jonathan Smalt: drums, percussion, guitar
Taylor Thompson: bass
Cause all I really wanna
Cause all I really wanna
Cause all I really wanna do
Is take a little trip with you
Drive around the sun
And take you up and over the stars
Cause all I really wanna do
Is catch a little vibe for two
Show you a place where we can
Be as weird as we are
That’s all I really wanna do
Tell me when to pick you up
I might be a little late
But there’s this spot beyond the moon
And I swear it’s worth the wait
Come on come on
Come on come on baby
I just wanna get to know ya
Cause all I really wanna do
Is take a little trip with you
Drive around the sun
And take you up and over the stars
Cause all I really wanna do
Is Catch a little vibe for two
Show you a place where we can
Be as weird as we are
All I really wanna do ooo ooo ooo
Aries, Pisces, Scorpio
Leo, Libra, Gemini
Which is yours you let me know
Let’s take a spin around your sign
All yea baby
Come on come on
Come on come on baby
I just wanna get to know ya
Cause all I really wanna do
Is take a little trip with you
Drive around the sun
And take you up and over the stars
Cause all I really wanna do
Is catch a little vibe for two
Show you a place where we can
Be as weird as we are
Ooooooo I just wanna get to know you
Ooooooo come on baby let me show ya
Cause all I really wanna do
Is take a little trip with you
Drive around the sun
And take you up and over the stars
Cause all I really wanna do
Catch a little vibe for two
Wanna see a place where we can
Be as weird as we are baby
That’s all I really wanna do
(Come on come on
Come on come on baby)
Aww I wanna do it
(Come on come on
Come on come on baby)
Oooooo
La La La La La La La La La
La La La La La La La La La
A cup of conversation
Teaspoon of temptation
use your imagination
And stir
heating up the oven
Whipping up some loving
A lil something something
Ooo
Let’s make this kitchen
Late night television
No inhibitions tonight
Cause I’m all about you, you, you, you
And you’re all about me, me, me, me
I’ll be you’re sugar sweet
You’re my dopamine
I’m all about you you you and me
That’s the recipe
Oooo that’s the recipe
Yea
Instant infatuation
A shot of celebration
Just add a libation or two
Do you like a little spice
I’ll be naughty if you’re nice
If you want I’ll do it twice
Oooo
Let’s make this kitchen
Late night television
I want all the fixin’s tonight
Cause I’m all about you you you you
And you’re all about me me me me
I’ll be you’re sugar sweet
You’re my dopamine
I’m all about you you you and me
Yea that’s the recipe
Oooo that’s the recipe
Yea my baby
Ah ha, come on, lemme get a little bite of that just a taste, come on
Uh huh, Yea I see you staring
Mmm damn, that taste good
Cause I’m all about you you you you
And you’re all about me me me me
I’ll be you’re sugar sweet
You’re my dopamine
I’m all about you you you and me
Aw that’s the recipe yea
Ohhh come on baby
A little bit of you
A little bit of me
Aw yea baby that is all we need
You
It’s so hard to put you down it’s true
The way I feel when you’re around
And I don’t wanna live without you
Look at all the light around you
You feel so good to me, so good to me
I never wanna walk away
My eyes are wrapped around your waste
I’m hypnotized, I can’t escape, and ever since I got a taste
Ohhh Brown sugar queen,
Stepped out of a dream,
Sweet like nectarine, always whispering
Come to me, come to me, be one with me
Why, is your love a lesson learned with time
Deflecting every question
Cause I don’t wanna live without you
Baby when I think about you
I want you here with me, Come here to me
I never wanna walk away
My eyes are wrapped around your waste
I’m hypnotized I can’t escape
And ever since I got a taste
Ohhhh brown sugar queen, stepped out of a dream,
Sweet like nectarine, always whispering
Come to me, come to me, be one with me
I never wanna to walk away
I’m hypnotized I can’t escape
I never wanna walk away
I’m hypnotized I can’t escape
Ohhh, brown sugar queen,
Stepped out of a dream, sweet like nectarine, always whispering
Come to me, come to me, be one with me
Ohhh brown sugar queen, in my blood stream,
Slipped right in between, always whispering,
Come to me, come to me, be one with me
Loving you is like a labyrinth
I get so lost in your absence
Running round this maze, got me lost for days
And there’s no way out
Maybe I don’t need a doctor
I just want someone to talk to
Baby please come by, pick around my mind, we can work it out
I want the right kinda crazy
Just complicated enough
Kinda crazy, with you with you
Tell me how can you blame me
When you don’t want me I’m crushed
Kinda crazy, ‘bout you, bout you
It’s a rush only we know
No sugar pills or sweet placebo
Lift me up so high,
teach me how to fly
And we won’t come down
I want the right kinda crazy
Just complicated enough
Kinda crazy, with you with you
Tell me how can you blame me
When you don’t want me I’m crushed
Kinda crazy, bout you, bout you
And I can’t take it
(Bouncing off the walls)
Now I’m breaking
(You’re my Adderall)
Baby I’m aching
(Got me in withdrawal)
Don’t keep me waiting
I want the right kinda crazy
Just complicated enough
Kinda crazy, with you with you
Tell me how can you blame me
When you don’t want me I’m crushed
Kinda crazy, bout you, bout you
Tell me you want me
Tell me you want me
Tell me you want me
Let the water flow to Georgia
Let it wash their weary feet
They’ve been standing way too long
They won’t sit without a seat
Let the water flow to Georgia
Like sweet rain in the southern heat
One day we’ll find freedom
They’ll hear us singing in the streets
Cause streams turn to rivers
And rivers to seas
God help us remember
Justice ain’t just a dream
Let the water flow to Georgia
Like the tears that fall from their eyes
How can we stand there silent
Watching, without ever asking why?
From Savannah to Atlanta
From Augusta on up to Rome
Those old willows keep on weeping
If only we knew what they know
Cause streams turn to rivers
And rivers to seas
God help us remember
Justice ain’t just a dream
Let the water flow
Let the whole word know
It’s time to go
Down to Georgia
Let the water flow to Georgia
Oh because I have to believe
One day we’ll find freedom
Till then no justice no peace
Let the water flow
Let the whole word know
It’s time to go
Down to Georgia
Let the water flow
Let the whole word know
It’s time to go
Down to Georgia
Let the water flow
Let the whole word know
It’s time to go
Down to Georgia
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
I hear the rain dance on my window
See through the stain, light of the moon glow
I play no games, I can move real slow, oh oh oh oh
You took my hand, and I grew stronger
Wishing this night was a bit longer on
Can’t you just stay, I don’t wanna set you free
But maybe you’ll come back to me baby
In the meantime
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move cause I ain’t got the words to say
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
I hope the road leads back to me
I’ll break the code, I find the key
I ain’t gonna let you slip right through
Oh I know you feel it too
I just wanna know it’s real
I aint gonna fake this feeling
But maybe you’ll come back to me baby
In the meantime
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move cause I ain’t got the words to say
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
Imma let my body move
(Shake ya thang baby, shake ya thang baby, shake ya thang baby)
(Shake ya thang baby, shake ya thang baby, shake ya thang baby)
Dance around the mirrors that will show me all my face
Tell myself it’s clearer if I’d only have a taste
Oh and I know I’m just running,
Oh and I know that it’s coming
(Ebmin, Fmin, Ebmin, Ab7)
And it’s catching up on me
But it feels so good to be
Buried underneath
Don’t feed it after midnight
Or maybe just take one bite
Cause I don’t want to starve if I don’t have to
Deal with the pain that leaves me stranded
On the way down
Falling through the grey cloud
Sinking to the bottom of the ocean
Sometimes it feels better to be broken
Turning up the voices that are singing in my head
Following the shadows that might lead me to the end
Oh and I feel like I’m fading
Oh and I feel like I’m chasing
What’s never good for me
But it feels so good to be
Buried underneath
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah ah
Nah nah nah nah nah ah
Nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah ah
Nah nah nah nah nah ah
Don’t feed it after midnight
Or maybe just take one bite
Don’t feed it after midnight
Or maybe just take one bite
Cause I don’t want to starve if I don’t have to
Deal with the pain that leaves me stranded
On the way down
Falling through the grey cloud
Sinking to the bottom of the ocean
But sometimes, sometimes baby
Oh it feels so good to be, oh it feels so good to be
Oh it feels so good to be, yea it feels so good to be, be, be
I don’t care if you’re a midnight dancer
You don’t have to bring all the answers
If you wanna be a free romancer
Take a chance, take a chance
I’m the alpha and the omega
I’m the sinner that’s gonna save ya
All the freaks they love the new flavor
Have a taste, have a taste
*laughing
I know you’ve been feeling lost
Wondering without a cause
Take my hand and I’ll show you the way
Put your body on automatic
Breathe in a bit of black magic
I’ll show you truth through the static
No plastic, no plastic
It’s a feeling that never leaves ya
A little game of follow the leader
Promise you that I won’t deceive ya
Just believe, just believe
Take my hand and I’ll show you the way
Take my hand and I’ll show you the way
Spending our whole life swimming in a shallow sea
Scared of falling on too deep
Come and take a walk with me
Going blind is easy
Can’t love what what you cannot see
Come on over have a talk with me
Come on over talk with me
You can be righteous
Or you can pay the bills
How do you say that you love but you don’t really know how to heal?
You can be righteous
Or you can can be real
How could we see eye to eye when you’re standing on top of your hill?
You, me, come together now
You, me, come together now
You, me, come together now
Recycled headlines
I wonder when the shooting stops
I wonder when the shoes gonna drop
You, me, come together now
You, me, come together now
You, me, come together now
Don’t believe what they sold ya
Every soul needs a soldier
Don’t believe what they sold ya
Every soul needs a soldier
You can be righteous
or you can pay the bills
How can you say that you love but you don’t really know how to heal?
You can be righteous
Or you can can be real
How could we see eye to eye looking down from the top of your hill?
Come together now
You can be righteous
Or you can can be real
How could we see eye to eye looking down from the top of your hill?
Come together now
Everybody’s tryna find a new solution
(You know it takes time)
Every change don’t have to be a revolution
(But open your eyes)
I’m gonna love you anyway
Sometimes it’s so easy to forget forgiveness
(I’m feeling so tired)
Sometimes we don’t even know we’re burning bridges
(Til they’re on fire)
We’re all broken, cracks in our hearts
Let hope in, lighting the dark
I’m gonna love you anyway
I’m gonna love you anyway
And hate’s a heavy wait to carry
I know I know sometimes it’s scary
I’m gonna love you anyway
Gonna love you anyway
Even when you turn a blind eye to my sorrow
(I swallow my pride)
The day will come when we won’t even have tomorrow
(I’ll be glad that I tried)
To love you anyway
I’m gonna love you anyway
I’m gonna love you anyway
And hate’s a heavy wait to carry
I know I know sometimes it’s scary
Cause we all got our storms to weather
But we’re all in this shit together
I’m gonna love you anyway
Album Announce
DEVON GILFILLIAN DEBUTS NEW SINGLE "RIGHT KIND OF CRAZY"