Alt-Pop Star Devon Again Signs with Interscope, Opens for Olivia Rodrigo

Devon Johanningmeier, who performs as Devon Again, has signed to Interscope Records through the imprint of producer Dan Nigro. This move positions the 23-year-old alt-pop artist as one of the most anticipated new acts in the genre. She will open for Olivia Rodrigo on the singer's current arena tour, a commitment that includes 10 dates at the Intuit Dome in January.

Johanningmeier is currently based in a small house in an artsy neighborhood on the east side of Los Angeles. She lives with several roommates and maintains a lifestyle she describes as typical for a musician in her age group. Her daily routine includes visiting local bakeries and coffee shops, a freedom she anticipates losing once her tour schedule intensifies.

The singer first gained traction on TikTok during the pandemic. Her music blends electro-folk-rock with intricate production and a distinct sense of humor. Her 2025 EP, titled In Order, features the single Cherry Cola. The song, which she wrote after a breakup, uses lyrics about sugar and sticky soda to describe a feeling of overwhelming happiness.

Producer Jon Buscema, who has worked with Johanningmeier since the early days of her career, notes that her songwriting process is deeply personal. He describes her perspective as clear and emotional. Nigro, who previously worked with Rodrigo and Chappell Roan, says he values Johanningmeier's ability to shift between sarcastic, fun music and deeper, more melancholic tracks.

Johanningmeier expressed anxiety about the demands of fame during an interview in October. She noted that as visibility increases, the number of people behind the artist who expect her to perform well also grows. She worries about being perceived as a product rather than a person, a sentiment she shared while discussing her high school friends' perspectives on life.

The artist grew up in Colorado, where she spent her teenage years running a fan page for Hayley Williams and listening to metalcore bands. She moved to Los Angeles at 18, initially living in a communal house in East Hollywood with 24 other people. She maintains a close relationship with her mother, who previously lived in a sober living home while seeking treatment.

Her recent single, Snake the Drain, departs from her usual pop sound with a country-style rock riff. The song addresses the mechanics of a relationship with the line, Loving you is great, but baby, love don't snake the drain. Johanningmeier said the track emerged after she created a large volume of sad music and wanted to write something that felt authentically like a country song.

Johanningmeier is finishing her debut album, which she hopes to release next year. The project aims to capture the specific emotional tone of her generation. She remains aware of the scrutiny that comes with social media and the expectations of fans. She has cited the isolation of fame as a primary concern, noting that it takes up a significant amount of her mental space.

Rodrigo, who booked Johanningmeier for an early slot at the Daisy Chain Fields festival in Irvine in August, praised her performance. Rodrigo stated that Johanningmeier jumped into the lineup at the last minute without hesitation. The festival also featured performances by Sarah McLachlan, Chappell Roan, and Stevie Nicks, whom Johanningmeier watched walk around backstage but did not approach.

Johanningmeier recently attended a show where her roommate spotted Hayley Williams standing behind her. She began crying and struggled to look at the artist she had admired since she was 15. She described the moment as a confrontation with her younger self, highlighting the parasocial nature of her early connection to pop music.