I agree, very interesting first post, Peck. Although you could put a shirt on in here. 
From my own personal and selfish point of view, I've listened to all sorts of music in my lifetime and there have been a few constants, Devin amongst them over the past decade. I'm grateful for the beautiful and moving music he's created (or channelled or worked on, if you prefer). It's provided me with a great deal of joy. I'm also grateful for the insight we've been given into the creative process (particurlarly of late) and for being able to hear some of Devin's thoughts about the factors than influence his creativity, be they related to his life or... whatever, really. It's all gravy on top of a hot steaming pile of musical mashed potato.
But perspective is always important in life, as is balance. Balance is a word I seem to keep coming back to in my own life, and I find very few areas where looking for balance is not a useful concept. I think it applies in terms of "knowing" Devin Townsend the person. I don't "know" Devin at all. I met him once briefly at an in-store signing on the Terria tour and I thanked him for coming to Australia and for making such good music. And that's really all I had to say to him, as I didn't know him from a bar of soap. And nothing has changed to this day, despite all that he's shared on the forum.
What I "know" about Devin is that he's a Canadian bloke who makes amazing music, and draws inspiration from his own experiences and thoughts. I know that he has some of the struggles, challenges and small victories we all have in our lives. I know that he is thoughtful and reflective, funny and talented. But you get a sense of these things through the music anyway, so as I said before, despite being a lot of fun to hear from Devin (and may it continue as long as he wants to do it), it's just the gravy.
I'm inspired by Devin's music and his creativity. The work of other musicians inspires me greatly also. I find great solace and inspiration in my friends and especially my family. I'm moved by an early morning drive through the mountains to the beach, or by the kangaroos my wifey and I watch bounce along a nearby ridge, as the sun sets during our afternoon walks. Cheesy, but true!
The difference between all these things and a musician is that they are a part of my life, whereas the artist is not. I find it disturbing that people would move to be "closer" to anyone they don't know, and were it to happen to me I would have no small difficulty in dealing with that sort of attitude. Likewise the sudden turn from idolisation to anger when the reality of their idol's humanity and imperfection is revealed to them. All the best in dealing with that, Dev.
All that being said, may the forum continue to prosper, especially as a place where opinions on the mysteries of the universe are shared, along with youtube clips of dogs shitting in the yard. And as long as you would like to post here Dev, fire away.
From my own personal and selfish point of view, I've listened to all sorts of music in my lifetime and there have been a few constants, Devin amongst them over the past decade. I'm grateful for the beautiful and moving music he's created (or channelled or worked on, if you prefer). It's provided me with a great deal of joy. I'm also grateful for the insight we've been given into the creative process (particurlarly of late) and for being able to hear some of Devin's thoughts about the factors than influence his creativity, be they related to his life or... whatever, really. It's all gravy on top of a hot steaming pile of musical mashed potato.
But perspective is always important in life, as is balance. Balance is a word I seem to keep coming back to in my own life, and I find very few areas where looking for balance is not a useful concept. I think it applies in terms of "knowing" Devin Townsend the person. I don't "know" Devin at all. I met him once briefly at an in-store signing on the Terria tour and I thanked him for coming to Australia and for making such good music. And that's really all I had to say to him, as I didn't know him from a bar of soap. And nothing has changed to this day, despite all that he's shared on the forum.
What I "know" about Devin is that he's a Canadian bloke who makes amazing music, and draws inspiration from his own experiences and thoughts. I know that he has some of the struggles, challenges and small victories we all have in our lives. I know that he is thoughtful and reflective, funny and talented. But you get a sense of these things through the music anyway, so as I said before, despite being a lot of fun to hear from Devin (and may it continue as long as he wants to do it), it's just the gravy.
I'm inspired by Devin's music and his creativity. The work of other musicians inspires me greatly also. I find great solace and inspiration in my friends and especially my family. I'm moved by an early morning drive through the mountains to the beach, or by the kangaroos my wifey and I watch bounce along a nearby ridge, as the sun sets during our afternoon walks. Cheesy, but true!
The difference between all these things and a musician is that they are a part of my life, whereas the artist is not. I find it disturbing that people would move to be "closer" to anyone they don't know, and were it to happen to me I would have no small difficulty in dealing with that sort of attitude. Likewise the sudden turn from idolisation to anger when the reality of their idol's humanity and imperfection is revealed to them. All the best in dealing with that, Dev.
All that being said, may the forum continue to prosper, especially as a place where opinions on the mysteries of the universe are shared, along with youtube clips of dogs shitting in the yard. And as long as you would like to post here Dev, fire away.
