The Back Story

Ryan and Kim met slanging pizzas at a restaurant in college. They fell in love, got married, and have been collaborating musically most of their adult lives. They started writing songs and performing under Smokey Brights over a decade ago and have since released four full length records and three EPs. Recently, the couple unveiled mega cat, an all instrumental experimental collaboration with friend and drummer Aaron Benson. Between Smokey Brights and mega cat, Kim and Ryan are constantly recording, collaborating, playing live, and staying in a creative space.

Ryan Devlin studied music and poetry at the University of Washington before dropping out to tour the country in DIY punk bands. He currently teaches songwriting at Cornish College of the Arts and serves on the board of The Recording Academy. With over 20 years of writing and recording original music, ten full-length records, and hundreds of original songs under his belt, Ryan brings a uniquely deep palette of sounds and experience to each of his projects.

Kim West grew up singing and playing piano. As a teenager she was immersed in the rich musical culture of Garfield High School. She went on to study International Affairs and Political Science before getting her law degree from Seattle University. She’s a barred attorney and uses her legal skills serving on the board of The Vera Project, an all ages DIY music venue in Seattle. Kim’s unique approach to the keyboard, utilizing vintage synths, guitar pedals, and low wattage guitar amps, has become the defining sound of her music projects.