Dan Devlin on Glitter, Grit, and the Freedom to Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

Curtis Hinton
11 hours ago
4 min read

There’s a certain way Dan Devlin carries himself – like someone who’s just stepped off stage but still has the spotlight following him. When we met in London to talk about his latest single, Dance Like Diana, it became instantly clear that this wasn’t just another pop release. It’s a glitter-soaked statement; a defiant, knowing wink at anyone who’s ever felt scrutinised for simply existing. Written in the familiar chaos of his flat – Diet Coke cans, a nicotine pouch, and a midi keyboard all sharing the same space – the track channels both personal battles and imagined scenes of Princess Diana, free from the public gaze, dancing without a hint of restraint. Over the course of our conversation, Devlin let me in on the vulnerabilities, the swagger, and the private moments that shaped this four-minute burst of liberation.

“Dance Like Diana” feels both glittering and defiant – the kind of track that makes you want to own the dancefloor without apology. What moment or feeling first sparked the idea for the song, and did you know instantly it was going to be an anthem?

I think the main reason I wanted to make a song like this is from personal experience when I’ve felt judged or maybe not enough by today’s standards especially in the queer nightlife scene. Iv’ve always struggled with body image and fitting in and I wanted to create a song that made me feel better about myself. The truth is, everyone and anyone should be able to dance like no ones watching, they’re the best parties around, where you can let go and there’s no judgement.

Your music balances vulnerability with a rock-star swagger. When you’re writing something as unapologetically bold as this, do you start from the beat, the lyric, or the feeling you want people to leave with?

Honestly, it’s different every time. Usually the hook will spring to mind first and I’ll go straight to my voice memo app on my iPhone and sing it in, build the chords around it on my midi keyboard and build the track from there. But it differs from time to time, I like to change it up and keep it fresh. If I’m writing for a dance artist for instance the beat will usually come first and I’ll riff on the mic until something sticks.

Photographer: Silvijah Gec

The title nods to a figure synonymous with grace and charisma – was “Diana” inspired by someone real in your life, a cultural icon, or more of a metaphor for freedom?

‘Diana' refers to Princess Diana and in this case Diana is also kind of used as a metaphor. I imagine how she was when she was on her own with no one watching her. She was publicly judged and under scrutiny a lot of the time and when I was writing the track I almost pictured her dancing in her bedroom finally rid of the public opinions. So the song could also be seen as a tribute to her excellence and everything she did for the LGBTQ+ community while she was here with us.

You wrote and produced the track in your London flat. How does creating music in such a personal, everyday space shape the energy and intimacy of what we hear?

I sure did. I wrote and produced the demo at home then took it to my good friends Zyra and Matt Sampson who nailed the ad-production and mixing. I love writing from home. It where I come up with the best ideas, I’m convinced its because I’m my most relaxed. I’m usually naked, gumming a nicotine pouch with my legs up drinking my 5th ice-cold Diet Coke and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Don’t worry if I’m collaborating I'm indeed fully clothed! But I think it comes down to comfortability which is why I’m extremely picky with who I collaborate with, I have to be so authentically myself and relaxed to be able to create art that has substance.

From Robyn to Freddie Mercury, your influences are masters of theatricality. How do you translate that sense of performance into a track that still works as a 3am bedroom soundtrack?

To me, music is theatre. When I’m writing I'm simultaneously visualizing the music video, the live show, how it’s going to sound in an arena. I grew up on the songs written by pop masterminds like Max Martin but obsessed over the theater aspect of rockstars. I think its you mean what your singing and writing it translates correctly in any sense, ig guess that makes me a pop artist with a rockstar attitude and I’m super ok with that.

You’ve lit up Pride stages across the UK, but “Dance Like Diana” feels like it was built for a crowd that’s ready to let loose. How much of your live audience’s energy feeds back into the way you craft your songs?

I am SO excited to play this track live, especially for my people. But ‘Dance Like Diana’ is for everyone. If it makes someone’s day better for 3 minutes, I’ve done my job. Performing live is my favorite aspect of what I do so whenever I’m wiring its always taken into account how it will come across and how everything will be performed.

When the final note of “Dance Like Diana” fades, what do you want lingering in the listener’s mind – the lyric, the feeling, or the courage to take that energy into the real world?

I want them to remember to never apologize for being themselves. Live loud and turn it up, life’s too short to care so much.

As I left, it struck me that Dance Like Diana isn’t really about Diana at all, at least, not just her. It’s about anyone who’s ever wanted to drop their guard and move like nobody’s grading them. Devlin’s music doesn’t just play in the background; it pulls you in, dares you to stay. It’s the sound of a dancefloor where the lights don’t judge, where the night belongs to whoever’s brave enough to claim it. And in Devlin’s world, that’s the only kind of night worth having.

“Dance Like Diana” will be available on all streaming platforms on September 12th.