axiom 49

novation zero sl

keystation 88

Hey Dev,

Thanks for your recent posts. They have been amazing for those of us who are interested in your creative process. I didn't realize that you did so much composition using midi (ha, I'm imagining a Devin Townsend record released as a collection of midi files). I've always wondered how much of a music theory guy you are. It's sometimes easy to tell when someone's writing is largely driven by their knowledge of theory or if they are more of a 'feel it and play it ear' kind of person. Your stuff has always ridden the line for me, so I wonder if you'd be willing to explain how your writing interacts with your knowledge of music theory. For example, are you the kind of person who always knows exactly which chords, progressions or modes you are using to flesh out a tune, or do you hear it first and then maybe understand it later?

Hell I've had that question for a while...

axiom 49

novation zero sl

keystation 88

Hey Dev,

Thanks for your recent posts. They have been amazing for those of us who are interested in your creative process. I didn't realize that you did so much composition using midi (ha, I'm imagining a Devin Townsend record released as a collection of midi files). I've always wondered how much of a music theory guy you are. It's sometimes easy to tell when someone's writing is largely driven by their knowledge of theory or if they are more of a 'feel it and play it ear' kind of person. Your stuff has always ridden the line for me, so I wonder if you'd be willing to explain how your writing interacts with your knowledge of music theory. For example, are you the kind of person who always knows exactly which chords, progressions or modes you are using to flesh out a tune, or do you hear it first and then maybe understand it later?

Hell I've had that question for a while...

I think some questions are better left un-answered sometimes. But if I was taking a stab I'd say the second of your choice, I once read an interview where Devin said he has so many ideas in his head he's not sure how to get them out and record them the way he wants sometimes. I also have a very talented friend who writes these epic Electonic/Noise/Doom tunes akin to Jesu/Matthew Broderic and he hears the whole song before he's even picked up an Instrument, which I find amazing.

I haven't been here in awhile and just realized that Dev is writing more material. There is a God!

It's shit working none stop and not getting a chance to at least have a break and check out what he's been upto, but alas I finally got that chance. Woohoo!!

I'm really looking forward to the new ambient project. I still listen to Hummer none stop when I'm on the train or when I read my spiritually books, makes the experience even more enjoyable.

Looking forward to Ki.

I think some questions are better left un-answered sometimes. But if I was taking a stab I'd say the second of your choice, I once read an interview where Devin said he has so many ideas in his head he's not sure how to get them out and record them the way he wants sometimes. I also have a very talented friend who writes these epic Electonic/Noise/Doom tunes akin to Jesu/Matthew Broderic and he hears the whole song before he's even picked up an Instrument, which I find amazing.

I'm not expecting a simple answer that corresponds with one choice or another. The interaction between theoretical knowledge and intuitive creativity is bound to be complex, but most musicians that I've spoken to seem to have some sense of how it works for them. I'm not sure if you think that it would ruin the mystery for Dev to describe his creative process, but I certainly don't. I am relatively aware of how theory and intuition interact in my own creative process, but I still find the process mysterious and unpredictable much of the time. By the way, sorry for hijacking! I'll leave the rest of this to Devin.

[The Dev]

I have no idea.

It's a bit of both for different situations, and something else for others.

I have problems doing it when I deconstruct it, I lose touch with the feeling.

so...

on with it!

Jesu/Matthew Broderic

Ferris Bueller was heavy as fuck.

I have no idea.

It's a bit of both for different situations, and something else for others.

I have problems doing it when I deconstruct it, I lose touch with the feeling.

so...

on with it!

Fair enough. Thanks dev.

I have no idea.

It's a bit of both for different situations, and something else for others.

I have problems doing it when I deconstruct it, I lose touch with the feeling.

so...

on with it!

deconstruct it like a cheeseburger?

so...after seeing some wiki updates...i'm jumping up and down in my head with excitement and had to join up and see if its all true! great to hear dev

and hey, with such an upbeat atmosphere i might escape n00b hazing

so...after seeing some wiki updates...i'm jumping up and down in my head with excitement and had to join up and see if its all true! great to hear dev

and hey, with such an upbeat atmosphere i might escape n00b hazing

*Rips of Jack's trousers and puts them up the flag pole* No one avoids noob hazing. No one.

so...after seeing some wiki updates...i'm jumping up and down in my head with excitement and had to join up and see if its all true! great to hear dev

and hey, with such an upbeat atmosphere i might escape n00b hazing

*Rips of Jack's trousers and puts them up the flag pole* No one avoids noob hazing. No one.

*tweaks nipple*

Ha!

so...after seeing some wiki updates...i'm jumping up and down in my head with excitement and had to join up and see if its all true! great to hear dev

and hey, with such an upbeat atmosphere i might escape n00b hazing

*Rips of Jack's trousers and puts them up the flag pole* No one avoids noob hazing. No one.

*tweaks nipple*

Ha!

Yours or his?



Or mine?

I look forward to hearing this no matter how different from your other stuff it is. I love change and variety. Music evolves just as we do. When I was younger I use to write angry metal and classic rock style music on the guitar and recorded it all. Now I like to write piano ballads and I wont let that recording see the light of day haha. People always ask me why I dont write rock or metal music anymore. Its because I write what I feel. Not what I think might be radio friendly.

Being the dork that I am (the word dork actually means whale penis lol) Im gonna mention that when I heard the album was gonna be called "ki" I couldnt help but laugh because I have been living in Thailand for the past three months and the word "ki" in Thai means poop. Yay for education. We all learn something new everyday.

cheers (this is my first time posting and I like this forum a lot already)

so...after seeing some wiki updates...i'm jumping up and down in my head with excitement and had to join up and see if its all true! great to hear dev

and hey, with such an upbeat atmosphere i might escape n00b hazing

*Rips of Jack's trousers and puts them up the flag pole* No one avoids noob hazing. No one.

*tweaks nipple*

Ha!

Yours or his?



Or mine?

We're all friends here...why not all of them