MOUNT VERNON — Hometown native, Robby Devlin and band City of Blue, have recently released their debut album “Goodbye to Everyone.”
City of Blue was originally formed in southern Connecticut where Devlin received his musical theater degree from the Hartt Conservatory at the University of Hartford.
The five members in the band each have different musical backgrounds. Their influences range from classical and jazz to hardcore rock and punk. They strive to create a blend of these styles by incorporating vocal harmonies and complex chord progressions with driving and upbeat rock.
Devlin is the lead singer.
Some collective influences are Radiohead, Muse, Coldplay, Dredg, The Dear Hunter and Minus The Bear.
In 2008, they ventured out to Los Angeles to introduce their music to the public. They began writing and recording all their own songs. “Goodbye to Everyone” is themed around leaving all loved ones behind in order to seek a new path and a new life. It explores the struggle between guilt and sadness, and the optimism and hope of a new life.
Since their move to Los Angeles, City of Blue has started to establish a presence amongst the indie rock community. They have recently had the privilege of performing as the opening act for Alien Ant Farm. They were invited as special guest performers to a red carpet launch party for the IZMA Models Music and Arts Division. In the summer of 2010, they were semi-finalists in Ford’s Gimmie The Gig Competition. They are repeat performers at several LA venues such as The Whisky A Go Go, The Key Club, Club Good Hurt, The Joint, On The Roxx and many more. They are playing the kickoff with Dredg at the Key Club in Hollywood for the Sunset Strip Music Festival on Aug. 19, alongside other well-known bands such as Motley Crue, The Doors, Bush and Public Enemy.
The members of City of Blue all share a deep passion for music. They are currently working on music for their second album. Follow the band on facebook.com/cityofblue. “Goodbye to Everyone” is available for download at itunes.com and also locally at The Woolson Company and Paragraphs in downtown Mount Vernon and at the Kenyon Bookstore in Gambier.