Up-and-coming Americana artist Evan Boyer is not a polished, perfect singer-songwriter plucked from a glossy magazine page: He’s the genuine article, making relatable music from the raw edges of his own flawed existence. Boyer’s compelling, country-leaning Americana is organic and down-to-earth, laced with laid-back narratives in the vein of folk icons Jason Isbell and Tom Petty. His songs wrestle complex emotions and experiences, including domestic abuse, heartache, escape, and redemption, with vulnerability and grace. Nothing is sleek or over-produced in Boyer’s music. Instead, flaws are forgiven here—and even celebrated.
Boyer spent the Fall of 2022 writing and recording the demo tracks that would eventually lead to his debut album, The Devil in Me, due out June 7th via Medicine for Mary Records. But it wasn’t until Boyer teamed up with producer Bradley Prakope (Shane Smith & the Saints) that the album evolved into its final form: a clear-minded, nuanced, occasionally unruly homage to the process of redemption.
The Devil in Me showcases what Boyer does best, balancing the idiosyncratic with the universal. It’s an elegant, musical reflection on an unavoidable truth: We all make mistakes. And sometimes those mistakes are what make life beautiful.
Today Glide is offering an exclusive premiere of the moving, intimate single “Burn the Ships,” which examines the confusion and pain of domestic abuse from an often-unvoiced perspective—backed by Texas-based musical act Della Rose. Backed by a quiet storm of fiddle and guitar that enhances the emotional impact of the lyrics and vocals, this is an impressive work of alt-country that features rich harmonies and poignant lyrics. Bringing Della Rose into the miss gives the song a healthy dose of soul and shines a light on Boyer’s dynamic songwriting talent.
Listen to the track and read our interview with Boyer below…
What is the story behind this song? How did it come together? What is it about?
Well, it’s a song about domestic violence specifically through the male’s point of view. It’s a subject that I don’t think really gets talked about enough, and it’s something that frankly I never really talked about before writing this song. A long time ago, I was in an abusive relationship, and I’ve never really thought about that person or that relationship since then. But, when I came to writing this album, I felt that this story needed to be told.
Are there any lyric lines that you really love or that really speak to you? What do you feel makes them resonate?
So when I say, “It’s too hot in Texas, for long sleeves to do all your lying,” that always kinda sticks with me, and that’s because before my ex and I used to go out and meet up with friends, I’d always have to roll my sleeves down to hide the bruises she left on my forearms, and when I look back I just think that was such a crazy thing for me to put up with, yet I did.
If listeners can take away one thing from having heard this song, what do you hope that is?
Ehh, honestly I try not to dictate a certain message that someone takes from my songs; I just want the music to speak to them, and I just hope someone takes away any message from my songs. That being said, with this specific song, I do hope it sheds some light on domestic violence from the male victim’s point of view.
Among the songs on the album, how does this song differ or how is it the same as others?
Well, aside from the unique subject matter, it’s the only track on the album that I feature another artist. Della Rose absolutely brought this song to a new level. I was incredibly lucky to be introduced to Chrissy and Emily through my producer, Bradley, and then when they agreed to do it, I was just floored.
If you could use only three words to describe your music, what would they be and why?
Three words? I’d have to say “Just Keep Going.” My music is about making mistakes, taking the good with the bad, and still waking up every day, thankful and grateful.
