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Nation of Language

Presented by Goldenvoice: New Gold Standard

An Interview with Nation of Language

September 23, 2025

We chatted with Ian Richard Devaney of Nation of Language about the last book he read, his favorite LA restaurants, plus more ahead of their back-to-back shows at The Fonda Theatre.

Answers provided by Ian Richard Devaney of Nation of Language.

What’s the last song you listened to (no cheating)?

“Between the Wars” by Billy Bragg. A story lamenting the plight of the average wo rking person who is trying to stay faithful in a political landscape that ignores their needs and drives forever towards the next war. Bummer song but great.

What’s the last movie you watched?

Alien (1979). I started watching the new Alien show and it made me want to go back and revisit the original (and definitely the best – it's super fucked up that anyone would think the James Cameron sequel is better).

I am convinced that the dark future this franchise envisions is where we're headed – everything privatized, the priorities of AI being to serve either the financial interests of the wealthiest (or their own bizarre ends once they come to detest humans), and human life being most valuable as subjects of experiments.

What’s a book you most recently finished?

Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov. I enjoy a bit of science fiction, and the Foundation series is kind of legendary within that genre. It's really insane to think that the first Foundation novel came out in 1951 – 10 years before the first human went into space. The detail with which he's able to invent this universe from nothing is really wild.

What’s something that always makes you smile?

There is an internet account called Accidental Bronson that recontextualizes random people's absurd tweets as Action Bronson lyrics. He is such a specific and over the top dude, when it hits it really hits.

If you weren’t an artist what would you be doing instead?

I'd like to say I'd be an oyster farmer but in all likelihood I would probably still be working in cafes and restaurants here in Brooklyn. Those are the only consistent jobs I've ever had. There's a nice sense of camaraderie in the service industry and I made a pretty decent cortado.

What’s your favorite restaurant?

Last time we were in Los Angeles our friend (and fantastic LA songwriter) Tomberlin took us to Villas Tacos in Highland Park. Maybe my fond memories of our time together boost this to the top of the list, but the food was definitely amazing. Also, I'm the kind of person that would much rather order at a counter and sit at a communal table than have a full-service dining experience, so this worked in its favor as well. (Shout out to Pine & Crane tho as our long-time favorite)

Favorite hidden gem/local business?

I was in LA for a wedding recently and was staying Downtown, which is an area I really don't know well, so one night after the evening's festivities concluded I decided to explore a bit on my own. After about 20 minutes I came upon Alameda Night Market, which is this collection of food & drink trucks / stalls in a parking lot. It was like a little island of activity and music in the night. Having a place to get food late at night is a crucial hallmark of a good city in my book, especially if it's not just fast food.

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