THE INTERVIEW with DEVON GILFILLIAN

Connecting Through the Chaos: Devon Gilfillian on Life, Love, and Living on the Road

For soulful singer-songwriter Devon Gilfillian, life on the road is equal parts magical exchange and grueling hustle. Currently crisscrossing the country in a Sprinter van for his Time Will Tell tour, Gilfillian describes the experience as akin to being a FedEx delivery driver—loading gear in and out of venues daily—but with a far higher emotional payoff. In a candid chat with HYFIN’s Music Director, Anthony “A-BIZ” Foster, Gilfillian opened up about the transformative energy of performing live. Bringing songs that began as intimate thoughts to audiences night after night creates an undeniable mirror effect, where shared vulnerability, tears, and joy remind him why he chose a life in music a decade ago.

The deeply personal themes of Time Will Tell stem from moments of intense emotional clarity, including navigating past relationships and gaining a renewed appreciation for life after his father survived a heart attack. That grounded perspective shapes how he approaches life on tour—whether he’s scoping out local food spots via Google Maps, taking walks through new cities, or maintaining his daily routine with YouTube’s “Yoga with Adriene” to keep his mind and back in check. Grounded by his faith, his team, and long-time manager and drummer John, Gilfillian views his journey not just as a career, but as an ongoing practice of empathy, community, and staying rooted.

Looking ahead as he nears his next decade in the industry, Gilfillian plans to slow down briefly to center himself and begin writing his next chapter. He envisions going deeper into self-reflection, writing more songs independently, building a home recording studio, and exploring record production. Though the road requires constant giving, Gilfillian’s drive remains fueled by a desire to connect, learn, and give back to the communities that welcome him—proving that no matter how far the van travels, the heart of his music stays right on target.