Henry J. Star

Henry J. Star is the musical project of Devin Badgett, a singer, songwriter, and producer from Knoxville, Tennessee, now based in Nashville. Drawing inspiration from Japanese adventure games, ambient soundscapes, and Southern literature, Devin crafts deeply personal, introspective music that explores themes of memory, identity, and healing. His debut album, *The Soft Apocalypse* (2025), reflects a journey through his own complex past—including his father’s incarceration and his multiracial identity—while weaving dreamy, emotionally charged songs like “Greenway” and “Petrichor.” Badgett's sound balances vulnerability and resilience, offering a sonic world that feels both intimate and expansive, born from quiet bedrooms and basements across Tennessee.

His work embraces a combination of sincerity and diverse musical influences, creating a rich tapestry marked by a desire to imagine better worlds and confront harsh realities, especially from the perspective of Black experience in America. The single “Petrichor” was written in memory of Ahmaud Arbery and addresses the weight of existence and the paradox of choice when living while Black. With a background of writing and performing music since his teens and a history of touring with friends like Briston Maroney, Henry J. Star’s music resonates as a heartfelt and reflective exploration of self and survival.