Written and produced entirely by Sedrick

Singer-songwriter Devon Michael Sedrick released his highly anticipated debut album, Fifty One Fifty, on September 12.  Written and produced entirely by Sedrick, the album is a fearless and deeply personal collection that blends rock, R&B, and global percussive flavors.  It dives headfirst into the shadow sides of human emotion (rage, shame, dishonesty, and self-hate) before rising toward the light of self-acceptance, empowerment, and love.

HIS ORIGINS

Raised in Nampa, Idaho as the eldest of six in a loud, mixed-race Mormon household, Devon grew up navigating chaos, music, and identity. With a Filipino mother, a European father, and a deeply religious upbringing, his journey toward self-expression was anything but simple. “We were wild and loud, and full of music,” Devon reflects. Coming out as gay and leaving the church became turning points that shaped his artistry.

That authenticity is at the core of Fifty One Fifty. The title references the California police code for an involuntary 72-hour psychiatric hold, a metaphor Devon uses for confronting the darkest parts of himself. “The song ‘Fifty One Fifty’ is about me ‘fifty-one-fiftying’ myself,” he explains. “It’s the moment I realized I wasn’t proud of my actions, and I had to face and change the parts of myself I was finally ready to confront.”

SOME LIFE LESSONS IN SONGS

Although the record explores heavy themes like anxiety, heartbreak, and even suicidal ideation, it ultimately carries a message of healing. “It’s about returning to a place of wholeness,” Sedrick confirms. “We all have dark sides, and I want people to look at those parts of themselves without shame, and with the courage to make conscious shifts.”

The album’s breakout single, “You Suck,” sets the tone. A cheeky, cathartic anthem, the track is a declaration of boundaries and self-worth. “‘You Suck’ is me putting my foot down and no longer putting up with people’s limited perceptions,” he says. “I want it to remind people that it’s okay to acknowledge the things that aren’t working for you and laugh about the things that once drained you.” 

“Life can be fucking hard,” he admits, “but it can also be silly and fun, and laughing about it always makes it a little easier.”

OUT NOW THROUGH ‘SO FIERCE MUSIC’

Fifty One Fifty is being distributed by So Fierce Music.  Highlights from the album include the empowering “Skin and Bones,” an anthem of bodily autonomy and defiance and “I Want It All,” which embraces unapologetic desire and ambition. Songs like “Excited” reflect his experience growing up gay in a Mormon household and reclaiming joy despite years of feeling out of place. Each track serves as a chapter in his evolution, chronicling his journey from suppression to liberation.

Musically, Devon draws inspiration from artists as varied as Matt Corby, Tash Sultana, H.E.R., Rainbow Kitten Surprise, and Doechii. His looping-based songwriting process provides the foundation, layering ideas until they evolve into full compositions. Collaborating with other musicians adds texture—bass lines, percussion, keys, guitar—but the spark always begins with Devon, alone with his pedal. “There’s so much potential and exploration when it comes to looping,” he explains.

THE VIBE

Living on a sailboat in Marina del Rey and spending his free time surfing has also shaped the album’s vibe. “I sing so much in the water,” he laughs. “My best ideas always come in the water. The water always gets rid of my anxiety, which is the biggest block for my creativity.”

With Fifty One Fifty, Devon is stepping into his power as both an artist and an individual. His hope is that audiences will not only connect with his music but also with themselves. “I want people to accept themselves fully,” he says. “Sometimes we have to really evaluate how we’ve been living so that we can gain the power to live exactly how we want to.”

Devon is preparing to bring Fifty One Fifty to the stage with his first solo tour, performing alongside an international lineup of musicians. “I am so overwhelmed by the support of my bandmates and their love for the music,” he shares. “I have to pinch myself daily. I cannot wait to play and meet as many people as possible.”

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Fifty One Fifty was released to all major streaming platforms on September 12.

brett

Born in Cairns (Far North Queensland – Australia) I am the youngest and the only boy of a family of five. My first serious job was as a Salesperson, the announcer, then Production Manager for 4AM. I spent in excess of ten years running my own successful entertainment agency before moving to Melbourne (Victoria – Australia) where I currently live, work and play. A week after arriving I joined the sales team at JOY 94.9fm – what was to be Australia’s first and only dedicated gay and lesbian radio station. I was clearly destined to be self-employed as fate would have it. Q Magazine was born in March 2004 and as they so rightly say ‘the rest is history’.

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