The name Devin Belle probably doesn’t sound familiar to you and it really shouldn’t, unless you live in the Nashville area. She is a singer/songwriter who has been actively pursuing a record deal for some time now. Although she doesn’t have label support (yet) she is still doing some live shows in the Nashville area while she waits for a label to recognize her talent.

She was our first Under the Radar artist featured back in April of this year and we recently caught up with her to chat about growing up in Alaska, pursuing a record deal, her thoughts on filing sharing and some other things in between.

FM: Although you were born in Texas, you were raised in Alaska. What was it like to grow up there?

Devin: Well, I definitely feel like I have both in me. I always say that my roots, my blood, is in Texas, and my heart is in Alaska. My family and I moved to Alaska when I was in the 8th grade, so most of my younger childhood memories are of Texas (which is where my song “I’m Missing Home” comes from).

Moving to Alaska was a shock to say the least! We moved in the DEAD of winter, negative 30 temperatures, tons of snow and ice, and not a single person I knew within several thousands of miles. But, it was stunningly beautiful and little did I know my life would be so much better for having lived there. Those nine years (before moving to Nashville) were some of the best and most influential of my life. Not only because that’s where I met my awesome husband (at 17 years old), but I think that’s where musically, I really grew the most. I started teaching voice lessons and engineering at a recording studio in Anchorage when I was 18 and absolutely loved it. I learned so much. I’m forever grateful for those experiences. I miss it!

FM: Was it easy for you to maintain country music influences there?

Devin: Oh definitely. I mean, its not as country-fied (yes I just said “country-fied”) as Texas, but there are some incredibly talented musicians in Alaska. I had the honor of working with a lot of them, country and otherwise.

FM: At what point did you realize that you wanted to make a living in the music industry?

Devin: Well, it’s funny you should ask, moving to Nashville and being a big country star was all I ever wanted growing up. In fact it’s all EVERYONE wanted for me. Since my first time on stage in my sixth grade talent show I knew it’s what I would be.

But then the years went on and I just never really felt like it was the right time, or I just had kind of lost the desire to pursue it. I was happy with my life and it freaked me out to make such a drastic decision that would throw my husband and I’s plans totally out the window. But God had other plans! Long story short I met some amazing musicians from Nashville when they came to play at the Alaska state fair and they convinced me to come to Nashville and record a demo. My husband came with me and it was after only a week of our visit that we decided to take the plunge and make the move. There are so many amazing details that clearly pointed us to that decision, and even in the bumpy times on this road to “making it,” we know we’re supposed to be here.

FM: When we first featured you back in April, you were unsigned. Is that still the case?

Devin: Yep! I’m learning more about this thing called ‘patience,’ and we are not always friends!

FM: What has the process of getting a record deal been like for you? Is there a label that you’d really like to be a part of?

Devin: It’s been interesting. I mean, I certainly didn’t think I was just gonna waltz into town in my snow boots fresh from the igloo and get a record deal. I knew it would be tough. I knew it would take a while. And I knew still I had a lot to learn. It’s exciting at times but I’m not gonna lie, it’s frustrating. To have a great meeting with someone and you think something’s gonna happen with it and then they never call you again? Discouraging. And then there’s that voice in the back of your head telling you that this is a waste of time, that you’ll never make it, just pack up your dog sled and head back home! But that voice doesn’t love me. So I try to listen to the ones that do.

And as far as a specific label that I’m interested in? I don’t really know at this point. I know of some that I don’t think I’d want to be a part of, but we won’t get into that!

FM: Has there been one artist that has been really instrumental in your desire to keep pursuing music as a career?

Devin: There are a lot of artists that I greatly admire and that have inspired me to keep pursuing music. I don’t know if I can name just one in particular but I guess I try to remind myself that many (if not MOST) artists, even my favorites, who are successful today did not get there quickly. Everyone’s been said “No” to more than once when trying to land a deal. I just have to remember that.

FM: Is there anything you do to keep your sanity through this process?

Devin: I get frustrated and discouraged at times but I’m not about to walk out on this dream. At the same time I realize that it’s possible that my destiny isn’t to be an “artist.” But, like I said before, I know God brought me here to Nashville for SOMETHING. And I’m stayin’ ’till I find out what it is! My family and friends keep me sane. They are always there to encourage me and brighten my day.

FM: What are your thoughts on file sharing in general and on the effect it has had on the music industry?

Devin: I think file sharing definitely puts a dent in profits for the label, artist, songwriters, etc. I can’t say that I haven’t burned a friend a mix CD before, but I think that the online mass distribution of free songs is surely hurting the industry. Also, I sometimes wonder how purchased downloads has affected it. I don’t know the numbers but to able to buy one song from an album for 99 cents rather than the whole thing for 15 bucks or whatever CDs go for has got to be hurting the business. Not that I don’t love iTunes, ’cause I do!

FM: Do you think the threat of file sharing and piracy forces artists to put out better albums so people actually want to buy them?

Devin: No, I don’t think that whether the music is good or bad has anything to do with it. If someone is going to steal music they probably don’t stop to think “Well, maybe I should pay for this since I know it will be good.” They just want it and they want it for free.

FM: Due to the availability of single songs are labels more focused on having good singles instead of putting out quality albums? An “Artists make records in a world where record labels make singles” type of mentality?

Devin: I do think the industry has a huge focus on singles and radio, because it’s largely what is driving the business. But I can’t imagine labels would skimp on trying to put out the best albums possible. That’s not in theirs or the artists’ best interest. The fact is that not every song on an album can be (or needs to be) a single. And actually, most of the time I’ve found that my favorite songs on many records were never singles.

FM: In addition to being a singer, you are also a songwriter. Have you written any songs that have been recorded by other artists?

Devin: No, not yet. I’ve had some great response from labels and artists…but none cut yet.

FM: As a songwriter, I’m sure you grow attached to your songs. What if the song they wanted was a song you only had envisioned yourself recording?

Devin: There are definitely some more personal songs that I’ve written that it’s hard to imagine anyone but me recording. They tell part of my story and come from a deep emotional place inside of me. To see someone else record them seems weird, but at the same time I think it would be great. I’d feel honored that someone connected with my song so much that they’d want to sing it too.

FM: Have you thought about putting out an independent release while you wait for a record label to realize how talented you are?

Devin: Actually, I AM currently working on my first album. It’s, of course, a little difficult to try and produce and release a record without label support, but I just figured, “Hey, let’s go ahead and release something out there and see what people think. Even if I don’t get any industry response, at least I can be on iTunes. Mom will be so excited.”

FM: Well, you have at least one person who would buy that album! Thank you so much for doing this interview, Devin, as it turned out to be quite lengthy–and good luck getting that record deal!

To listen to Devin’s music, head on over to her Myspace.p