"Devin, what's your favorite pizza topping?" Devin- "Well I think the first question that needs to be answered is what is pizza? I mean there's this exoteric notion that the idea of what a pizza IS, doesn't necessarily mean, that being an introvert or fearful of the abstract, needs to be obzerved and judged as an option to be held above another thing right? I mean if you look at a topping and think of it as something that needs to be favorited or embraced or thought of as a superior idea, then I think we lose our ourselves in that current of chaos and choice to the exclusion of a different idea that maybe, a pizza can just exist as itself and not as vessel for the sublime or needy or even burdened with other distinctions."
I have no idea if you'll read this, but the Brisbane show helped me more than you'll know. I lost myself a few months ago and had well and truly given up on myself. Spirits will collide was a song I've always been drawn to, though I never really clicked to what it was about. Until Brisbane, what it's about and what you said resonated on a whole other level. Had me crying at the show and not because I was upset but because what you said was what I needed to hear at the song meant that much more. I wish I'd gotten a chance at the hotel to run into you and thank you in person, but hopefully, you see this. Thank you for cementing the realisation that I'm not alone when I was so convinced that I was. There are no words for how much that's helped and what that means to me. Thankyou Dev
Hey mate. I was at the Brisbane gig too. It was a magnificent show. Every single person in that room mattered/matters, including you. Everyone singing "Kingdom" together so early in the set was pure magic. I bet you were one of those voices, along with me. (I was the out of tune guy upstairs). 😂 So you weren't alone then, and you certainly aren't now. I hope you're doing OK.
@allan-shephard I think I may have spotted you at one point up there. I was getting swarmed by everyone at the back table just as you walk in. I'm doing alright finally, things still get grey but I'm managing again. Definitely one night I won't ever forget!
These updates are pure gold, and not only for the people dealing with the creative process in the art world, you'll find creativity everywhere, no matter your area of expertise, or your working field. Thanks again for opening the doors, and the windows too. I wish you and your loved ones a beautiful week.
Life has many phases. And in one of the hardest you were present with your music. You may never know how much you helped me. But here is my gratitude. A big hug! And very, thank you! A big hug from Brazil! Happiness and sucess!
Sir, Terminal kept me alive when I had a really really dark moment in my life. You are a beautiful soul, and You should never forget how great You are. I presume that Your music impacted so many lifes that no doctor not psychologist would ever dream of yeilding so much in their careers. Biggest hug from me, Big Boy.
As a game developer, this update resonates ALOT. Being scared to construct a game, that YOU like and not something marketing reswarch shows will give return on investment. Its a hard hard line to walk.
The games industry is awash with mediocrity created through round table meetings of what is popular at any given time, all the best games out there have been created on the basis of "well what would I want in a game?" Good luck with your projects, maybe one day I'll play one of the games you coded whilst listening to Devin Townsend. :)
I find a lot of what I write sounding 'samey' and bland. I think it's a resultant artefact of my autism which keeps me fixed in the moving point in time, like a train on a track. Only the future is accessible, at a fixed rate, which can be disrupted, but branch lines may be taken at full pace without thought of leaving the main path. I was only 'properly' diagnosed at 43 (8 years ago) after a lifetime of add/bipolar misdiagnoses before I decided to find a competent practitioner. I've learned to go with the flow, I used to call it 'surfing the tsunami of shit of life'. All you can do is ride the wave of effluence that comes at us all. Sometimes, we fall in and it's a bit shitty, and other times we'll see ourselves in moments of perfection and clarity. At the end of the day, we can but get back on that journey of the passing of time. Because that's all there is.
Thank you for sharing, I've been feeling adrift at sea rather helplessly stuck in one place under a scorching sun.. your description feels so close to my heart, I need to refine my strength and purpose and push through my doubts. You're a very inteligent and inspiring man.
A far cry from the angst of the Strapping Young Lad 😉. I find at the age of 53, after consciously and deliberately taking the time since covid to actually get to know the 'self', and dismantle all the bullshit accumulated over the course of my life, I've found in myself a good friend whom I've known all along, my core values and beliefs the same as I remember them as a young boy. This has allowed my music to come out, to flow, and to have an unconscious level of patience regarding it. There are still the goals, but my ego no longer has a timeline regarding them. I'm able to enjoy the journey forward, and my skills are skyrocketing. I appreciate you Devin. Call of the Void is brilliant. I heard it the first time at the right time and......MIND BLOWN. Truth my friend.
Man I really connect with the feeling like a narcissist part. For wanting to focus on a thing that only exists in your mind, to be fixed on making it real, can feel like self obsession. But it’s not the same. You’re fixated on the work of expressing your innermost self. That’s just the inherent human desire to be understood.
These kind of videos are the album notes of the modern era. I’m old enough to know that “now” is much better than “then.” Hearing Dev’s stories are like looking into a kaleidoscope while listening to his work.
These are so great to see. It's reassuring to know that the man, the myth, the Devin has creative hurdles just like the rest of us. Thank you for being such a huge inspiration in so many ways over the years!
Your fans of today are along for the ride - whatever you embark on we’re stoked for! These videos though are important for documenting your process for the future generations who will stumble upon your work and rather than break it down with just music theory… actually connect with who you were and where you were at that time. This is pure gold.
You know that you're a musical inspiration to us - But getting your words and thoughts. Perspective and struggles. Your words are every bit as appreciated. I'm thrilled to get to go along for this ride Cheers!!
It's gonna be so neat to look back on these when the records are finished. I love looking at film of recording sessions of my favorite artists. These updates are like a special, personal peek behind the curtain.
Like these updates, Devin. I am always in awe of your ability to articulate your thoughts and intent. It's refreshing, but ultimately so relatable. I look forward to more.
I have always been amazed at your intense work ethic. It seemed, as a spectator, like you are bullet proof and pure machine at cranking out banger after banger. But its so refreshing and beautiful to see you humanize yourself in these updates. I'm so happy that you've come to your conclusion that you need to take a step back for a while. Your fans are definitely cool with you taking a break. We know that waiting with patience will allow you to clearly produce the beauty that was always within you. Stay Hevy, Devy 🤘
Your music brings my soul and mind peace Devy. The last decade of listening to your music has helped me through heart break, death and depression. No matter what album it is, if its the brutality of the SYL albums, the hilarious but complex Ziltoid albums or even the more atmospheric stuff on Ki, Ghost, Casualties and recently the Dreampeace albums Thank you for everything man.
I can totally relate to trying to force ideas rather than letting them have the breathing room necessary to actually see what the idea is. I've been stuck on a few different projects because i've been trying to speak for them rather than hear what they have to say, for lack of a better way to put it. I hope the coming week treats you well
"..as plain as balls on a tall dog".. I'm archiving (stealing) that and one day it will land perfectly. Thank you for all you attempt, struggle with and ultimately reveal.. and fear not, it's always a glorious and worthy outcome. It's why we come back to artists time and again. I totally understand that sense of being overwhelmed when you look to why your art isn't popping off the page to you, In fact I'm glad you vocalised that because I think that's what I've been feeling. Often as creatives the underlying sense of need to be making can be a very unhealthy stimulus, but letting go can be equally tough. As for "accusations" of narcissism, that inverted focus is really only negative when it's about acting and making choices whose intent is influencing and controlling others, rather than acting and making choices with the intent of authentic creative exploration and revelation. It's perhaps the case that it's easy to misinterpret the act of inward creative endeavour as narcissism if you yourself aren't inclined to employ your creativity from a place of authenticity. The art of copying as a means of curiosity towards self discovery is one thing and quite valid - learning the tools by way of exciting stimulus is fine, but it risks becoming narcissism if you try to fool yourself into thinking that copying is all you need to be complete. I can learn the craft of playing by deep diving into Eddie Van Halen's playing and enrich my exploration and insight, but playing his work doesn't make me Eddie Van Halen. I love these talky pieces man. Be well.
Hello from North Carolina USA. i really enjoy these glimpses into your thought process on creativity. It reminds me of the same subject you and Steve spoke on. i am happy of the fact you can open up and put yourself out there like you're doing. i know it's hard for you to do but i can appreciate your openness, it inspires me to work on letting my thoughts out. Peace...
Appreciate you breaking down your thought process. Helps my own with my music writing and even just perspective on my thought process and interaction with the world. Thanks Dev!
I am about your age and I really appreciate these updates Devin. They let me think about what I am doing in line with someone my age who is doing things I would like too.
I love that you are sharing these insights. It's clearly very personal to you and speaking the process is like bearing your soul. It's a gift you have ( whether you see it that way or not) and sharing it will give others like myself ideas inspirations or even… its ok to look at the musical in such an obscure way. In the end its how a vision, emotion or melody resonates to you. You know it's right when you hear and feel it and your soul relaxes and feels nourished. Making sense from chaos and blending worlds of notes can be beautiful… you do this very well and have inspired me for years! Thank you for doing this.
Devin, long time fan. Fellow Canadian. I like your humbleness and transparency. You and your team have been my favorite Canadian musical presence. I too am evolving and struggling. You, not just your music guided me during the pandemic mentally primarily with the positivity in your streams. I have two recommendations. 1) Get outside every day rain or shine. Listen, or think when there's noting to hear. look at the wind direction, the trees, find the patterns, talk out loud to yourself. Even if it's random gibberish. Then walk back into the studio or the mission of the day with a brand new plan. 2) Put yourself out of your element. Whatever that is for you. You have a warm and calming voice that people want to hear. Think something like Opeth's book store rendition of Atonement. I'll always have your back regardless of what the future holds. Carry on being you.
Our differences when expressed resonate in the differences of others. The better we express ourselves the more it does for others. Your process is from out of care. Thank you!
Sounds like you're getting into the Microcosm/Macrocosm dynamic ... learning to explore this can be overwhelming, BUT the pay off is awareness of organization, and organization of awareness.
Thank you for being so open with your vulnerability. Truth is that people always get value for money when they buy a ticket to your show or buy your record, the modern listener is beyond cultural identity of being heavy metal or whatever. You’re a genius, you should score a movie or a game or something, I bet it would it would be immense.
Over the past year or so I've had a lot of my world get upended. I had run a business that was both the source of my livelihood as well as for my creative output, at least in some capacity. I'm now finding myself now a middle aged individual who is struggling to find myself creatively. On the one had I love and appreciate these updates (as well as the podcast) because I'm such a big fan of your work and it's been with me through many phases of my life, but I on the other hand I find it helpful in being able to find my creative voice again after monetary pressures, ended relationships and failed business ideas have at least temporarily stifled my creative output. Thank you, Dev. Much love from the Midwest of the US!
Man, thank you for this. I hope that someone around here can articulate how valuable this is to humanity; at least to me. Thank you for letting us speak into your genius... I know; you don't consider yourself one. Typical.
I'm not sure what I "think" about The Puzzle yet, but all I know is that when I'm working on anything creative, The Puzzle is the greatest soundtrack to pull out the goods from me. Devin is transforming from a musical artist to an audio painter.
this is quite insightful, ill definitely go watch the other updates. you spoke absolutely sound advice that is worth me hearing when it comes to the creation of my own music
I feel like every inch of this atmos experience is going to be so thoroughly detailed itll take me 6 months to really hear the whole album 😆 I'd actually love to see the DAW process for this...
I was working in 5.1 around the time Nuendo was released, I regret never using it to its fullest, just sub crossover and used the rear as reverb channels for ambience and air, it was in fact a 4.1 mix, I never used the centre. But what a wasted opportunity.
Hail HevyDevy! Looking forward to hearing the Moth. In the meantime i suspect you must return to caterpillar, albeit on a higher plane. God bless and thank you for sharing your process. PS: dont self censor, despite your innner voice criticising you with labels such as "narcissist". Be true to yourself with all the reverence, respect and encouragement you would grant another. I hope this reaches you. God bless you. Let yourself sing x
Just leaving this here.. I just discovered your very existence and fell completely in love with you (no homo tho). Your music ,but most importantly, the way you feel the music inside and how you let it flow in to something,so that others can experience it, is invaluable. Cheers mate, best thing so far this year
I'm just here to say that whatever you do from here, I believe that "Grace" is a historically-significant piece of music. When the musicologists of the future talk about heavy music or rock in general from this era (even if they're aliens or robots) I think they'll hold that song up as something that both exemplified and transcended its genre.
Hey Devin. I just wanted to let you know I am trying to maximize yoru playtime for Dream Peace during work and when I am going to sleep and sleeping. I also want to start to use it in my productivity times in my hobbies, but its hard when I haven't been working on them too closely lately. Overall I am just loving your ambient collection you dropped in a day and I think you should know a lot of people count on you for diverse music. I love your spirit and want to keep hearing more of your work. Bless you.
If we’re submitting questions, I’d love to know how you come to the creative decision for all the other sounds in your music. I can write Guitar, bass, and drums, and I’m starting to put backs stuff together. But your samples, and synth sounds, and drops, and all these beautiful extras and “ear-candy” I think you’ve reffered to it as is fascinating. How do you decide that something fits somewhere, and how do you find those things?
I felt the same way in Tokyo. It’s like Germany and NYC collided…and it works. But if you’re used to nature and country and ‘terria’, yeah…it’s a bit much. Be glad you can visit such places, because they only refine your view and love of home.
you should take a time off, you look spent and even though you're pushing through everything with your willpower as you've been your whole life, you will eventually reach your critical point
I hear ya bro. I'm also on the spectrum. Try this one "One does nothing, and nothing is left undone". If you bring your attention inwards, to the third eye so to speak. Whenyou can hear the voice in your head doing its normal babbling brook monologue. Realise that you're not actually that voice. You're the observer, observing the voice. From that place, this saying comes into play. As the observer you will still do all things you need to do, the art will be created. You'll see yourself do these things, but you're not actively doing/pursuing them yourself. That's tapping into the universe flow, or the tao. Steve Vai is prob your man for this discussion. He seems like he thinks about this stuff a lot. Hit me up if you fancer a long meandering discussion on this and everything that goes with it. I love picking apart the internal monologue until you find where the fear or the pain is. Brilliant. Big love from Melbourne Devin. Edit: I just saw you did a podcast with Steve Vai after I wrote this. Thats freaky. Its 2hrs something long so will give that a listen over the weekend.
Authentic , spot on with your analysis. It was weird , when several times you were talking , I was filling in what you were about to say. I guess it's making more sense to me now. Thank you. Is that drywall dust I see on your hat and glasses? LOL.
Devy, I am curious to know if you practice Transcendental Meditation? Your depth of self awareness and perception of your inner being is incredibly brilliant.
I am a 48 year old musician and I can still remember being 17-18 years old and planning the ideal trajectory for my music career… and Devin has had THAT career, almost to the letter. It’s bittersweet to watch.
I think it helps us all forward when one person looks inward deeply and finds a way to make things click. The complex web of musical ideas and decisions that make up a piece represent the artist's introspection and search for truth and when they finally land on something that makes sense, the heavens open up. Somehow, when you listen to music, you get to participate in that journey and figure out similar things for yourself.
Hi Devin (or his management)! Could we PLEASE get a Dream Peace box set or Blue ray so we are not dependent on an internet connection to hear them and your wonderful ambient music is not interrupted by adds?
One thing I think you do above other musicians is create transitioning gaps that are filled with a micro masterpiece in itself. Can't wait to hear what you can do with atmos on the moth project (meta morphing sounds). I prefer your non traditional approaches. Posing a question can be more powerful than posing an answer, sometimes there is no answer, that is the answer.
Its a struggle for control. When persevering so long, so much work and it starts to become more and more clear. Seeng the patterns upon a closer inspection. It becomes overwhelming the amount of patterns. To gain one must be willing to give it away. Whatever we hold tight to, gets riped out of our hands. I find inspiration in hearing your thoughts and how youve stayed sober? Sometimes when its overwhelming one thinks back to the good effects of the stimulant. Giving control not to man, but love. The most rewarding seems to be the most giving to others in elp or time etc. Self seeking turns same old. We think we know, but life changes daily. Change being the most constant. Agape love never changes. The knowledge of eternity and what it takes, and what only hinders.
I was just telling a fellow college student on a discussion board last night "I wouldn't worry about neuroticism" (pun intended), I get neurotic about everything all the time. We've been covering personality types in my General Psych class. ~"I'm a Lucky Animal"~
Dev, it sounds to me like you’re trying to match music to a pre-existing concept of what you imagine/hope the album to be and there’s some kind of disconnect between the two, which is frustrating for you. I guess there’s a couple of ways you could handle this; you could embrace the elusive nature of this project and just follow wherever it leads (like following a little moth fluttering around the room, changing direction, never settling on the same surface for long) - maybe there’s some inspiration in that idea? Alternatively, you could just stop chasing it; shut your eyes, forget the outside stimuli and just record the music that actually comes out of you. I believe that only that music will be a true reflection of where you’re at right now anyway, personally. And I guess the bravery will be in releasing whatever that is to your audience. Good luck with it, man. PS. Your show in Melbourne a few weeks ago was awesome. I was there 🤘❤️
![Megan Thee Stallion - Bigger In Texas [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QxTkZTLWdo4/mqdefault.jpg)
"Devin, what's your favorite pizza topping?" Devin- "Well I think the first question that needs to be answered is what is pizza? I mean there's this exoteric notion that the idea of what a pizza IS, doesn't necessarily mean, that being an introvert or fearful of the abstract, needs to be obzerved and judged as an option to be held above another thing right? I mean if you look at a topping and think of it as something that needs to be favorited or embraced or thought of as a superior idea, then I think we lose our ourselves in that current of chaos and choice to the exclusion of a different idea that maybe, a pizza can just exist as itself and not as vessel for the sublime or needy or even burdened with other distinctions."
Don't even get him started on cheeseburgers ✨ 🍔 ✨
Or just fart or record someone having an explosive shit. Both are relevant when discussing devy…
This.
This is dead on. Normally I wouldn't be able to stand someone who talks like this but when Dev does it I find it so soothing
Cheeeeseburger…..
'Plain as balls on a tall dog'!
What a wonderful euphemism!
I have no idea if you'll read this, but the Brisbane show helped me more than you'll know. I lost myself a few months ago and had well and truly given up on myself. Spirits will collide was a song I've always been drawn to, though I never really clicked to what it was about. Until Brisbane, what it's about and what you said resonated on a whole other level. Had me crying at the show and not because I was upset but because what you said was what I needed to hear at the song meant that much more. I wish I'd gotten a chance at the hotel to run into you and thank you in person, but hopefully, you see this. Thank you for cementing the realisation that I'm not alone when I was so convinced that I was. There are no words for how much that's helped and what that means to me. Thankyou Dev
You are not alone and you matter! Be well ❤
@kristianorberg thankyou!! 🙏
Hey mate. I was at the Brisbane gig too. It was a magnificent show. Every single person in that room mattered/matters, including you. Everyone singing "Kingdom" together so early in the set was pure magic. I bet you were one of those voices, along with me. (I was the out of tune guy upstairs). 😂 So you weren't alone then, and you certainly aren't now. I hope you're doing OK.
I wasn't there but I am reading this. You are not alone, you matter, and this is my hand for you.
@allan-shephard I think I may have spotted you at one point up there. I was getting swarmed by everyone at the back table just as you walk in. I'm doing alright finally, things still get grey but I'm managing again. Definitely one night I won't ever forget!
These updates are pure gold, and not only for the people dealing with the creative process in the art world, you'll find creativity everywhere, no matter your area of expertise, or your working field.
Thanks again for opening the doors, and the windows too.
I wish you and your loved ones a beautiful week.
Being as authentic as you dare to be is the hallmark of the true artist. Devin is one of my favourites.
Life has many phases. And in one of the hardest you were present with your music.
You may never know how much you helped me.
But here is my gratitude.
A big hug! And very, thank you!
A big hug from Brazil!
Happiness and sucess!
Don’t beat yourself up! I’m a 47 cook outta Cleveland and I still have issues of me being crazy over nothing. Keep at it
Sir, Terminal kept me alive when I had a really really dark moment in my life. You are a beautiful soul, and You should never forget how great You are. I presume that Your music impacted so many lifes that no doctor not psychologist would ever dream of yeilding so much in their careers.
Biggest hug from me, Big Boy.
You helped me through my path to sobriety 🩵 your music is a safe home to me when everything was chaotic in my life 🩵
Always loved his insights on the creativity process.
As a game developer, this update resonates ALOT. Being scared to construct a game, that YOU like and not something marketing reswarch shows will give return on investment. Its a hard hard line to walk.
The games industry is awash with mediocrity created through round table meetings of what is popular at any given time, all the best games out there have been created on the basis of "well what would I want in a game?"
Good luck with your projects, maybe one day I'll play one of the games you coded whilst listening to Devin Townsend. :)
Cheers for this Devin, your honesty has held a mirror to my own art blocking bullshit.
I find a lot of what I write sounding 'samey' and bland.
I think it's a resultant artefact of my autism which keeps me fixed in the moving point in time, like a train on a track.
Only the future is accessible, at a fixed rate, which can be disrupted, but branch lines may be taken at full pace without thought of leaving the main path.
I was only 'properly' diagnosed at 43 (8 years ago) after a lifetime of add/bipolar misdiagnoses before I decided to find a competent practitioner.
I've learned to go with the flow, I used to call it 'surfing the tsunami of shit of life'.
All you can do is ride the wave of effluence that comes at us all.
Sometimes, we fall in and it's a bit shitty, and other times we'll see ourselves in moments of perfection and clarity.
At the end of the day, we can but get back on that journey of the passing of time.
Because that's all there is.
😂
Thanks for writing this, I liked reading it
Thank you for sharing, I've been feeling adrift at sea rather helplessly stuck in one place under a scorching sun.. your description feels so close to my heart, I need to refine my strength and purpose and push through my doubts. You're a very inteligent and inspiring man.
A far cry from the angst of the Strapping Young Lad 😉. I find at the age of 53, after consciously and deliberately taking the time since covid to actually get to know the 'self', and dismantle all the bullshit accumulated over the course of my life, I've found in myself a good friend whom I've known all along, my core values and beliefs the same as I remember them as a young boy. This has allowed my music to come out, to flow, and to have an unconscious level of patience regarding it. There are still the goals, but my ego no longer has a timeline regarding them. I'm able to enjoy the journey forward, and my skills are skyrocketing. I appreciate you Devin. Call of the Void is brilliant. I heard it the first time at the right time and......MIND BLOWN. Truth my friend.
I love being aan insider to your insight. Peace to you Devin.
I adore this man.. my favorite musician
I’m going to love it when dev eventually does daily weather reports.
Nothing but good vibes your way. So grateful you are here with us and creating such wonderful art. ❤
Man I really connect with the feeling like a narcissist part. For wanting to focus on a thing that only exists in your mind, to be fixed on making it real, can feel like self obsession. But it’s not the same. You’re fixated on the work of expressing your innermost self. That’s just the inherent human desire to be understood.
These kind of videos are the album notes of the modern era. I’m old enough to know that “now” is much better than “then.” Hearing Dev’s stories are like looking into a kaleidoscope while listening to his work.
These are so great to see. It's reassuring to know that the man, the myth, the Devin has creative hurdles just like the rest of us. Thank you for being such a huge inspiration in so many ways over the years!
Your fans of today are along for the ride - whatever you embark on we’re stoked for!
These videos though are important for documenting your process for the future generations who will stumble upon your work and rather than break it down with just music theory… actually connect with who you were and where you were at that time. This is pure gold.
Heavy Devy! One of my favorite artist of all time! Your fan's love you! Take the time you need to find your muse!
You know that you're a musical inspiration to us - But getting your words and thoughts. Perspective and struggles. Your words are every bit as appreciated. I'm thrilled to get to go along for this ride Cheers!!
💛I'm glad that you're back, Devin! Please keep putting these videos out, you are an inspiration to all of us who are creatives and struggle! 💛
Thank you for doing these. This was a lot of what, I didn't even know, I needed to hear.
It's gonna be so neat to look back on these when the records are finished. I love looking at film of recording sessions of my favorite artists. These updates are like a special, personal peek behind the curtain.
can't express how fun, insightful, intriguing, and valuable these updates are!
I hope you are doing ok dude, thank you for everything you have done. Your time, energy, and effort are greatly appreciated!
Like these updates, Devin. I am always in awe of your ability to articulate your thoughts and intent. It's refreshing, but ultimately so relatable. I look forward to more.
I have always been amazed at your intense work ethic. It seemed, as a spectator, like you are bullet proof and pure machine at cranking out banger after banger. But its so refreshing and beautiful to see you humanize yourself in these updates. I'm so happy that you've come to your conclusion that you need to take a step back for a while. Your fans are definitely cool with you taking a break. We know that waiting with patience will allow you to clearly produce the beauty that was always within you. Stay Hevy, Devy 🤘
Devin is next level creative. Just going deep like this is proof of a true artist.
Your music brings my soul and mind peace Devy. The last decade of listening to your music has helped me through heart break, death and depression.
No matter what album it is, if its the brutality of the SYL albums, the hilarious but complex Ziltoid albums or even the more atmospheric stuff on Ki, Ghost, Casualties and recently the Dreampeace albums
Thank you for everything man.
I can totally relate to trying to force ideas rather than letting them have the breathing room necessary to actually see what the idea is. I've been stuck on a few different projects because i've been trying to speak for them rather than hear what they have to say, for lack of a better way to put it.
I hope the coming week treats you well
"..as plain as balls on a tall dog".. I'm archiving (stealing) that and one day it will land perfectly. Thank you for all you attempt, struggle with and ultimately reveal.. and fear not, it's always a glorious and worthy outcome. It's why we come back to artists time and again. I totally understand that sense of being overwhelmed when you look to why your art isn't popping off the page to you, In fact I'm glad you vocalised that because I think that's what I've been feeling. Often as creatives the underlying sense of need to be making can be a very unhealthy stimulus, but letting go can be equally tough. As for "accusations" of narcissism, that inverted focus is really only negative when it's about acting and making choices whose intent is influencing and controlling others, rather than acting and making choices with the intent of authentic creative exploration and revelation. It's perhaps the case that it's easy to misinterpret the act of inward creative endeavour as narcissism if you yourself aren't inclined to employ your creativity from a place of authenticity. The art of copying as a means of curiosity towards self discovery is one thing and quite valid - learning the tools by way of exciting stimulus is fine, but it risks becoming narcissism if you try to fool yourself into thinking that copying is all you need to be complete. I can learn the craft of playing by deep diving into Eddie Van Halen's playing and enrich my exploration and insight, but playing his work doesn't make me Eddie Van Halen. I love these talky pieces man. Be well.
Hello from North Carolina USA. i really enjoy these glimpses into your thought process on creativity. It reminds me of the same subject you and Steve spoke on. i am happy of the fact you can open up and put yourself out there like you're doing. i know it's hard for you to do but i can appreciate your openness, it inspires me to work on letting my thoughts out. Peace...
I paused an Eddie Jobson documentary to watch Dev update #5. 🎶🖖
I've never seen RUclips vlog updates feel so genuine and connected. Thanks Dev!!!
Being able to genuinely trust the process is so powerful and liberating. And not just for a creative process, but for life in general
I can't stress how important these vids are Devin, you are such a good egg 💜
Appreciate you breaking down your thought process. Helps my own with my music writing and even just perspective on my thought process and interaction with the world. Thanks Dev!
I am about your age and I really appreciate these updates Devin. They let me think about what I am doing in line with someone my age who is doing things I would like too.
“As plain as balls on a tall dog”😂😂😂
These are just fantastic and thanks for all your experience and insight into your process.
This man looks like the most handsome lightworker the universe has ever seen
I love that you are sharing these insights. It's clearly very personal to you and speaking the process is like bearing your soul. It's a gift you have ( whether you see it that way or not) and sharing it will give others like myself ideas inspirations or even… its ok to look at the musical in such an obscure way. In the end its how a vision, emotion or melody resonates to you. You know it's right when you hear and feel it and your soul relaxes and feels nourished.
Making sense from chaos and blending worlds of notes can be beautiful… you do this very well and have inspired me for years! Thank you for doing this.
Hi Devin, thank you for sharing your thoights with us. Greetings from Italy.
Devin, long time fan. Fellow Canadian. I like your humbleness and transparency. You and your team have been my favorite Canadian musical presence. I too am evolving and struggling. You, not just your music guided me during the pandemic mentally primarily with the positivity in your streams. I have two recommendations. 1) Get outside every day rain or shine. Listen, or think when there's noting to hear. look at the wind direction, the trees, find the patterns, talk out loud to yourself. Even if it's random gibberish. Then walk back into the studio or the mission of the day with a brand new plan. 2) Put yourself out of your element. Whatever that is for you. You have a warm and calming voice that people want to hear. Think something like Opeth's book store rendition of Atonement. I'll always have your back regardless of what the future holds. Carry on being you.
Dev, follow your voice wherever that takes you. Have the bravery you talked of, be you, whatever form that takes.
Our differences when expressed resonate in the differences of others. The better we express ourselves the more it does for others. Your process is from out of care. Thank you!
Devin your Melbourne show was sensational, you guys sounded fantastic.
Much appreciated.
Will see you next time 👍👍👍
Sounds like you're getting into the Microcosm/Macrocosm dynamic ... learning to explore this can be overwhelming, BUT the pay off is awareness of organization, and organization of awareness.
Vai was spot on with his observations
These videos give a Steve from Blues Clues vibe. I like it. lol Very mellow.
Thank you for being vulnerable.
Thank you for being so open with your vulnerability. Truth is that people always get value for money when they buy a ticket to your show or buy your record, the modern listener is beyond cultural identity of being heavy metal or whatever. You’re a genius, you should score a movie or a game or something, I bet it would it would be immense.
such a joy to listen to and watch the wheels in your head turn. this strongly speaks to me and moves me thank you for sharing!! 🙌 much love 💖
Your updates are werry helpfull. Thank you.
"It's weird, but it's fun"
ahhh, the creative life - yes, indeed, it is
Over the past year or so I've had a lot of my world get upended. I had run a business that was both the source of my livelihood as well as for my creative output, at least in some capacity. I'm now finding myself now a middle aged individual who is struggling to find myself creatively. On the one had I love and appreciate these updates (as well as the podcast) because I'm such a big fan of your work and it's been with me through many phases of my life, but I on the other hand I find it helpful in being able to find my creative voice again after monetary pressures, ended relationships and failed business ideas have at least temporarily stifled my creative output. Thank you, Dev. Much love from the Midwest of the US!
Much love Devin! Keep doing what you do!
Indian cities - very messy and chaotic
Indian music - hold my beer pal
Nothing but love for this man and his art ❤
Man, thank you for this. I hope that someone around here can articulate how valuable this is to humanity; at least to me. Thank you for letting us speak into your genius... I know; you don't consider yourself one. Typical.
I totally agree, forcing something is too much pressure and doing it spontaneously, or as the ideas come, you want to do it and thats the best time
Regardless Dev, I really admire you and your work. ❤
I'm not sure what I "think" about The Puzzle yet, but all I know is that when I'm working on anything creative, The Puzzle is the greatest soundtrack to pull out the goods from me. Devin is transforming from a musical artist to an audio painter.
this is quite insightful, ill definitely go watch the other updates. you spoke absolutely sound advice that is worth me hearing when it comes to the creation of my own music
I feel like every inch of this atmos experience is going to be so thoroughly detailed itll take me 6 months to really hear the whole album 😆 I'd actually love to see the DAW process for this...
I was working in 5.1 around the time Nuendo was released, I regret never using it to its fullest, just sub crossover and used the rear as reverb channels for ambience and air, it was in fact a 4.1 mix, I never used the centre.
But what a wasted opportunity.
Hail HevyDevy! Looking forward to hearing the Moth. In the meantime i suspect you must return to caterpillar, albeit on a higher plane. God bless and thank you for sharing your process. PS: dont self censor, despite your innner voice criticising you with labels such as "narcissist". Be true to yourself with all the reverence, respect and encouragement you would grant another. I hope this reaches you. God bless you. Let yourself sing x
All good mate. Muses are buggers of things to trap at the best of times. They're capricious and irritating and that's why we chase 'em.😉
Thanks Devin, connected with this in many ways!
Just leaving this here.. I just discovered your very existence and fell completely in love with you (no homo tho).
Your music ,but most importantly, the way you feel the music inside and how you let it flow in to something,so that others can experience it, is invaluable.
Cheers mate, best thing so far this year
Devin eres el tipo mas bello y mas humano! mucha lucidez en tu pensamiento. Se aprecia un músico como tu.
Devin, let us love you for the person you are as well as the musician. ❤
I'm just here to say that whatever you do from here, I believe that "Grace" is a historically-significant piece of music. When the musicologists of the future talk about heavy music or rock in general from this era (even if they're aliens or robots) I think they'll hold that song up as something that both exemplified and transcended its genre.
Hey Devin. I just wanted to let you know I am trying to maximize yoru playtime for Dream Peace during work and when I am going to sleep and sleeping. I also want to start to use it in my productivity times in my hobbies, but its hard when I haven't been working on them too closely lately. Overall I am just loving your ambient collection you dropped in a day and I think you should know a lot of people count on you for diverse music. I love your spirit and want to keep hearing more of your work. Bless you.
If we’re submitting questions, I’d love to know how you come to the creative decision for all the other sounds in your music. I can write Guitar, bass, and drums, and I’m starting to put backs stuff together. But your samples, and synth sounds, and drops, and all these beautiful extras and “ear-candy” I think you’ve reffered to it as is fascinating. How do you decide that something fits somewhere, and how do you find those things?
An interesting update. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I felt the same way in Tokyo. It’s like Germany and NYC collided…and it works. But if you’re used to nature and country and ‘terria’, yeah…it’s a bit much.
Be glad you can visit such places, because they only refine your view and love of home.
you should take a time off, you look spent and even though you're pushing through everything with your willpower as you've been your whole life, you will eventually reach your critical point
Thank you for your perspectives, it helps a lot
I hear ya bro. I'm also on the spectrum. Try this one "One does nothing, and nothing is left undone". If you bring your attention inwards, to the third eye so to speak. Whenyou can hear the voice in your head doing its normal babbling brook monologue.
Realise that you're not actually that voice. You're the observer, observing the voice. From that place, this saying comes into play. As the observer you will still do all things you need to do, the art will be created. You'll see yourself do these things, but you're not actively doing/pursuing them yourself. That's tapping into the universe flow, or the tao.
Steve Vai is prob your man for this discussion. He seems like he thinks about this stuff a lot. Hit me up if you fancer a long meandering discussion on this and everything that goes with it. I love picking apart the internal monologue until you find where the fear or the pain is. Brilliant. Big love from Melbourne Devin.
Edit: I just saw you did a podcast with Steve Vai after I wrote this. Thats freaky. Its 2hrs something long so will give that a listen over the weekend.
Thanks for sharing Devin..Hope to see you again in Phoenix sometime
Devin has been a male role model to myself more than my own father.
A chat with Steven Wilson would be interesting.
Authentic , spot on with your analysis. It was weird , when several times you were talking , I was filling in what you were about to say. I guess it's making more sense to me now. Thank you. Is that drywall dust I see on your hat and glasses? LOL.
Devy, I am curious to know if you practice Transcendental Meditation? Your depth of self awareness and perception of your inner being is incredibly brilliant.
I am a 48 year old musician and I can still remember being 17-18 years old and planning the ideal trajectory for my music career… and Devin has had THAT career, almost to the letter. It’s bittersweet to watch.
I think it helps us all forward when one person looks inward deeply and finds a way to make things click.
The complex web of musical ideas and decisions that make up a piece represent the artist's introspection and search for truth and when they finally land on something that makes sense, the heavens open up. Somehow, when you listen to music, you get to participate in that journey and figure out similar things for yourself.
Just do what you have to do, my man, express yourself, you're an artist, a real one, so...
Hi Devin (or his management)! Could we PLEASE get a Dream Peace box set or Blue ray so we are not dependent on an internet connection to hear them and your wonderful ambient music is not interrupted by adds?
One thing I think you do above other musicians is create transitioning gaps that are filled with a micro masterpiece in itself. Can't wait to hear what you can do with atmos on the moth project (meta morphing sounds). I prefer your non traditional approaches. Posing a question can be more powerful than posing an answer, sometimes there is no answer, that is the answer.
Maybe the Moth project has been waiting for the technology like Atmos, I think once you get your head around it you are going to have so much fun it.
Wait a second... *rewinds "Plain as balls on a tall dog". Yeah, alright. That's what I thought...of course.
Thank you for this HevyDevy, hope you're doing well too
Devin's beanie has coke problem. I think it is the one injecting the thoughts in Devin's head.
Love your music over here in Texas!
Its a struggle for control. When persevering so long, so much work and it starts to become more and more clear. Seeng the patterns upon a closer inspection. It becomes overwhelming the amount of patterns. To gain one must be willing to give it away. Whatever we hold tight to, gets riped out of our hands. I find inspiration in hearing your thoughts and how youve stayed sober? Sometimes when its overwhelming one thinks back to the good effects of the stimulant. Giving control not to man, but love. The most rewarding seems to be the most giving to others in elp or time etc. Self seeking turns same old. We think we know, but life changes daily. Change being the most constant. Agape love never changes. The knowledge of eternity and what it takes, and what only hinders.
I was just telling a fellow college student on a discussion board last night "I wouldn't worry about neuroticism" (pun intended), I get neurotic about everything all the time. We've been covering personality types in my General Psych class.
~"I'm a Lucky Animal"~
Dev, it sounds to me like you’re trying to match music to a pre-existing concept of what you imagine/hope the album to be and there’s some kind of disconnect between the two, which is frustrating for you. I guess there’s a couple of ways you could handle this; you could embrace the elusive nature of this project and just follow wherever it leads (like following a little moth fluttering around the room, changing direction, never settling on the same surface for long) - maybe there’s some inspiration in that idea? Alternatively, you could just stop chasing it; shut your eyes, forget the outside stimuli and just record the music that actually comes out of you. I believe that only that music will be a true reflection of where you’re at right now anyway, personally. And I guess the bravery will be in releasing whatever that is to your audience. Good luck with it, man. PS. Your show in Melbourne a few weeks ago was awesome. I was there 🤘❤️