What I wouldn’t give to be back in Ireland. Maybe I should look into moving back… Happy Saint Paddy’s day, drink up, be safe, and turn the amps up to 11. Cheers!
It’s been a week since you went off to explore the great unknown. Some of my earliest memories are of you. I have many I could share, but what always comes to mind is you meeting me at the school gate and walking home together. It was our time, just you and me, without my sisters, mom, or grandma.
Sometimes we’d stop by Grandma’s classroom, where her students would let me help them at the pottery wheel and tell me how cute I was. You used to say I was going to be trouble, and Grandma would say I was going to be just like you.
When it came to growing up and figuring out life, no matter which path I chose, you always told me you were proud of me for following my own way. I believe you were the first person in my life who gave me permission to be myself. You were also the first person who showed me what it means to be strong, to be ready to fight when needed, but also to be kind and give your whole heart to something.
One memory that always makes me smile. I was staying with you as a kid, and it was hailing outside. I wanted to go swimming, but I didn’t have any trunks. You said, “Just go naked.” I kept jumping back and forth between the hot tub and the pool, just being me. He was the first person in my life to just be me. Grandma came out worried I was going to get sick, and you just laughed and said, “The boy will be fine,” while making lunch. For those of you who know me, this probably explains a lot.
We talked about music, history, nature, poetry, and sometimes life got deeper. You had this way of saying that life is going to come at you, and you’ve just got to go pound for pound. It’s not about winning, because none of us make it out alive. It’s about the moments when nothing is swinging at you, being fully present for those moments and for the people you love.
When I think about the people who raised me, I know you played a big role in teaching me what a man should be. I will always be thankful for that, and for so much more.
Until the universe sees fit for our paths to cross again, I love you, Grandpa.
PS I’ll get you Greath Grandfather mandolin fixed and play those song he use to strum… I have faith, you’ll hear them
2025 was a year that tested me and I’m thankful for it all but even more so those we shared there time with me and the memories.
Friends weddings, building houses in Hawaii, Grandpa turning 92, exploring with the wog, aiding a friend achieve there goal by running there first marathon, and putting out a new EP, are just a few of the highlights.
Blessed 2026 to you all!
“Hey! I Think You Dropped This…” is out now, streaming wherever you get your music.
While finishing Amor Fati, I kept writing to see if there was anything left that still belonged on the record. After writing “Crying to Julien Baker” @julienrbaker , it became clear to my producer and brother-in-arms Isaac @tenspeedmusic that the tone of these songs had shifted—and adding them to the album, or taking other songs away, would change the narrative. So we agreed to save them for another chapter.
One of these songs was written in 2020, two were written while recording Amor Fati, and another two came after the album was released. This isn’t a true B-side—it’s just a few pages that fell out when I got up from writing the previous record. I hope you enjoy them.
If you made it this far, thank you. I love you. I appreciate you spending time with me.
Cheers,
Rio Devore
Special thanks to:
@brianzieske@rbbaisden@diadobro@kyles_journeys
Been going at it since I was kid and I don’t plan on stopping. Thank you to any and all who spent time with me this year. It means more than you know. New EP drops on 12/11 and 2 LPs coming in 2026. Cheers and love to you all
First song I ever taught myself in guitar, 23ish years ago… it’s beautiful when a song can take you back to a moment but also hold so much new meaning as we grow. I think as a goal or dream as an artist to do that, make something timeless and in doing so will@make it resonate through history.
