[The Dev]

Yup, Decon. is just a demo...

My whole 're-emergence' as a musician is underlined by the fact that I am truly unable to do one style in lieu of all others. The quiet emphasises the heavy and vise versa. I'm not too into rapid ups and downs though, it's unhealthy creatively.

There are scores of folks who would love me to do syl and nothing else, believe me. Unfortunately, the last time I did that...I got SO SICK of loud music I wanted to puke. There was no escape from it. I appreciate that as a metaphor, and think that energy contributes to the chaotic nature of those stylings...but I was constantly battling to do peaceful music with folks that had no interest in it. SO, the heavy music suffered (got mellower) and ultimately stopped.

Thats where things go south for me. When I want to make chaos, you can be sure that it will out-chaos ANYONE, but that to the exclusion of everything else makes me very very bored.

The ONLY way I can provide that musical landscape for you, is if I am FREE to do whatever comes into my head...and as a person, I feel very strongly for peace, quiet, harmony and beauty. I think thats why my chaotic output resonates with folks so well, because it's coming from someone who truly isn't super interested in overstimulus. I am good at it though, and I enjoy it. But IN IT'S PLACE... or else I would probably just do ambient music and little else. It's about balance...If I'm free to do the peaceful, you can bet you'll get your chaos.

In terms of touring, I am interested in a SOBER collection of the best of the best. And lots of them...I want each atmosphere to be authentic and complete. I have found through playing with many many drummers and musicians, that usually...folks are interested in ONE THING, 'I want to crush the world' or 'I only appreciate free jazz' or 'don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...' etc.

I believe lots of folks identities are heavily invested in what they choose to play. And I can appreciate it, I just don't relate.

I love Ravi Shankar and Paul Horn, I appreciate Behemoth and Meshuggah, I worship Stravinsky and love Def Lepard, I understand the motivation in Nickelback and love Abba and the Vengaboys...Rapoon, Mute Math, Merzbow, Barkmarket...WHATEVER.

If it's GOOD, I want to participate...I have many moods that require different vibrations.

Now, I use THE BEST PEOPLE for that particular project. No compromise. I refuse at this point to convince a metal head to be quiet and to make an opera singer scream bloody murder...IF I HAVE TO CONVINCE YOU, YOURE NOT THE PERSON. Theres room for it all, so as a PRODUCER, if I need jazz, get a jazz guy, if I need METAL, get the metal.

...and live?

Well it's either going to be 40 people or a VERY special and talented group of 7 (or so).

Yup, Decon. is just a demo...

My whole 're-emergence' as a musician is underlined by the fact that I am truly unable to do one style in lieu of all others. The quiet emphasises the heavy and vise versa. I'm not too into rapid ups and downs though, it's unhealthy creatively.

There are scores of folks who would love me to do syl and nothing else, believe me. Unfortunately, the last time I did that...I got SO SICK of loud music I wanted to puke. There was no escape from it. I appreciate that as a metaphor, and think that energy contributes to the chaotic nature of those stylings...but I was constantly battling to do peaceful music with folks that had no interest in it. SO, the heavy music suffered (got mellower) and ultimately stopped.

Thats where things go south for me. When I want to make chaos, you can be sure that it will out-chaos ANYONE, but that to the exclusion of everything else makes me very very bored.

The ONLY way I can provide that musical landscape for you, is if I am FREE to do whatever comes into my head...and as a person, I feel very strongly for peace, quiet, harmony and beauty. I think thats why my chaotic output resonates with folks so well, because it's coming from someone who truly isn't super interested in overstimulus. I am good at it though, and I enjoy it. But IN IT'S PLACE... or else I would probably just do ambient music and little else. It's about balance...If I'm free to do the peaceful, you can bet you'll get your chaos.

In terms of touring, I am interested in a SOBER collection of the best of the best. And lots of them...I want each atmosphere to be authentic and complete. I have found through playing with many many drummers and musicians, that usually...folks are interested in ONE THING, 'I want to crush the world' or 'I only appreciate free jazz' or 'don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...' etc.

I believe lots of folks identities are heavily invested in what they choose to play. And I can appreciate it, I just don't relate.

I love Ravi Shankar and Paul Horn, I appreciate Behemoth and Meshuggah, I worship Stravinsky and love Def Lepard, I understand the motivation in Nickelback and love Abba and the Vengaboys...Rapoon, Mute Math, Merzbow, Barkmarket...WHATEVER.

If it's GOOD, I want to participate...I have many moods that require different vibrations.

Now, I use THE BEST PEOPLE for that particular project. No compromise. I refuse at this point to convince a metal head to be quiet and to make an opera singer scream bloody murder...IF I HAVE TO CONVINCE YOU, YOURE NOT THE PERSON. Theres room for it all, so as a PRODUCER, if I need jazz, get a jazz guy, if I need METAL, get the metal.

...and live?

Well it's either going to be 40 people or a VERY special and talented group of 7 (or so).

Welp, I'm always around if you need a drummer, Dev. *waggles eye brows.*


Oh christ, I think the sheer ludicrousness of that has blown my mind a little.

But no, I entirely agree. I feel the same, too. I can't just chug out explosive metal without needing to run over to my little happy place and make something tinkly and pretty and complex, and then falling down into the minimalistic zone. ANd then from there, I need get chuggin' again. So maybe you're not as alone in your thinking as I had first thought you were. (Convulated sentence, GO!)

Wow, Dev. That's... A really cool read.

I think it's awesome how you don't limit yourself off like some other people can do. I enjoy the fact that musically, you can not, and will not line yourself off to one musical style, and venture off and find lots of different inspirations.
I find that a lot of creative people to tend to do that, which is a shame because I come across alot of people with such talent, but they are either to afraid or don't care enough to try out new and different things.

I probably just find too much stuff and go overboard. I can't balance it at all. I'm into such radically different things, trying to find the stable ground is hard.

If I was more musically gifted, I would totally opt to help you. Shame I'm only a vocalist and not even confident with that either.

If you'd ever want to indulge into some random visual creative art though Dev, I'd totally be up for that! Hahah

Sorry, I rambled there.

...and live?

Well it's either going to be 40 people or a VERY special and talented group of 7 (or so).

This sounds like it shall be interesting! Good luck finding your 40 (or 7)

Gosh, I feel like such a fangirl, but I can't help but spout words at you! I should just learn to shush.

Yup, Decon. is just a demo...

My whole 're-emergence' as a musician is underlined by the fact that I am truly unable to do one style in lieu of all others. The quiet emphasises the heavy and vise versa. I'm not too into rapid ups and downs though, it's unhealthy creatively.

There are scores of folks who would love me to do syl and nothing else, believe me. Unfortunately, the last time I did that...I got SO SICK of loud music I wanted to puke. There was no escape from it. I appreciate that as a metaphor, and think that energy contributes to the chaotic nature of those stylings...but I was constantly battling to do peaceful music with folks that had no interest in it. SO, the heavy music suffered (got mellower) and ultimately stopped.

Thats where things go south for me. When I want to make chaos, you can be sure that it will out-chaos ANYONE, but that to the exclusion of everything else makes me very very bored.

The ONLY way I can provide that musical landscape for you, is if I am FREE to do whatever comes into my head...and as a person, I feel very strongly for peace, quiet, harmony and beauty. I think thats why my chaotic output resonates with folks so well, because it's coming from someone who truly isn't super interested in overstimulus. I am good at it though, and I enjoy it. But IN IT'S PLACE... or else I would probably just do ambient music and little else. It's about balance...If I'm free to do the peaceful, you can bet you'll get your chaos.

In terms of touring, I am interested in a SOBER collection of the best of the best. And lots of them...I want each atmosphere to be authentic and complete. I have found through playing with many many drummers and musicians, that usually...folks are interested in ONE THING, 'I want to crush the world' or 'I only appreciate free jazz' or 'don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...' etc.

I believe lots of folks identities are heavily invested in what they choose to play. And I can appreciate it, I just don't relate.

I love Ravi Shankar and Paul Horn, I appreciate Behemoth and Meshuggah, I worship Stravinsky and love Def Lepard, I understand the motivation in Nickelback and love Abba and the Vengaboys...Rapoon, Mute Math, Merzbow, Barkmarket...WHATEVER.

If it's GOOD, I want to participate...I have many moods that require different vibrations.

Now, I use THE BEST PEOPLE for that particular project. No compromise. I refuse at this point to convince a metal head to be quiet and to make an opera singer scream bloody murder...IF I HAVE TO CONVINCE YOU, YOURE NOT THE PERSON. Theres room for it all, so as a PRODUCER, if I need jazz, get a jazz guy, if I need METAL, get the metal.

...and live?

Well it's either going to be 40 people or a VERY special and talented group of 7 (or so).

i was gona try and write something intelligent back to this but i have left my brain somewhere so all i can say is good for you with picking the people you want to work with and i love the way you have the different genres spread across the different disks instead of having a metuuuul song then a acoustic atmospheric song right next to eachother.

also that would be awesome if you start touring again the i missed you with SYL at download 06 DOH! i was uneducated back then. if you ever come to the UK i + many others will be there!!

on another note i just ripped the audio from the so be it videos for my ipod tomorrow. thats not illegal is it??


p.s. if we are all calling positions in your band i call rhythm guitar cause you wouldnt destroy me on lead . The Devin Townsend Forum Band

Yup, Decon. is just a demo...

My whole 're-emergence' as a musician is underlined by the fact that I am truly unable to do one style in lieu of all others. The quiet emphasises the heavy and vise versa. I'm not too into rapid ups and downs though, it's unhealthy creatively.

There are scores of folks who would love me to do syl and nothing else, believe me. Unfortunately, the last time I did that...I got SO SICK of loud music I wanted to puke. There was no escape from it. I appreciate that as a metaphor, and think that energy contributes to the chaotic nature of those stylings...but I was constantly battling to do peaceful music with folks that had no interest in it. SO, the heavy music suffered (got mellower) and ultimately stopped.

Thats where things go south for me. When I want to make chaos, you can be sure that it will out-chaos ANYONE, but that to the exclusion of everything else makes me very very bored.

The ONLY way I can provide that musical landscape for you, is if I am FREE to do whatever comes into my head...and as a person, I feel very strongly for peace, quiet, harmony and beauty. I think thats why my chaotic output resonates with folks so well, because it's coming from someone who truly isn't super interested in overstimulus. I am good at it though, and I enjoy it. But IN IT'S PLACE... or else I would probably just do ambient music and little else. It's about balance...If I'm free to do the peaceful, you can bet you'll get your chaos.

In terms of touring, I am interested in a SOBER collection of the best of the best. And lots of them...I want each atmosphere to be authentic and complete. I have found through playing with many many drummers and musicians, that usually...folks are interested in ONE THING, 'I want to crush the world' or 'I only appreciate free jazz' or 'don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...' etc.

I believe lots of folks identities are heavily invested in what they choose to play. And I can appreciate it, I just don't relate.

I love Ravi Shankar and Paul Horn, I appreciate Behemoth and Meshuggah, I worship Stravinsky and love Def Lepard, I understand the motivation in Nickelback and love Abba and the Vengaboys...Rapoon, Mute Math, Merzbow, Barkmarket...WHATEVER.

If it's GOOD, I want to participate...I have many moods that require different vibrations.

Now, I use THE BEST PEOPLE for that particular project. No compromise. I refuse at this point to convince a metal head to be quiet and to make an opera singer scream bloody murder...IF I HAVE TO CONVINCE YOU, YOURE NOT THE PERSON. Theres room for it all, so as a PRODUCER, if I need jazz, get a jazz guy, if I need METAL, get the metal.

...and live?

Well it's either going to be 40 people or a VERY special and talented group of 7 (or so).

While you're a million times the musician that I am, I can totally understand that. I know people who just play metal, or just play electronica, or whatever... I can't do that. I'll sit around and chug out some metal stuff one day, then go screw around with jazz the next, and off to blues-rock on another day. I can't do one or the other... it's too limiting. Gotta let it all out, instead of trying to force it to go one way or the other.

Can't force the music if the music doesn't want to go, would be how to put it, I guess?

I dunno. I feel like this post is rather incoherent. You said it better.

Also; group of 7? Awesome.
Play in PG!

The best musicians don't limit themselves to just one direction.... well, with a few exceptions I suppose, Meshuggah are incredible musicans and you won't be seeing those guys doing a slow blues album anytime soon.

But I find myself enjoying the music that has the dynamics between the mellow, the beautiful and the crush. Like Devin's work and like Opeth for example.

You talk about having the right musicans Dev, are you in touch with the other SYL guys. Have you ever thought about collaborating with some of them for non SYL related projects? Just curiousity in me really. After playing with poeple for as many years as you and those guys did, playing something completly different from SYL might be interesting.

Sure...after these four albums dave and I are going to release something like this...

The thought would be live jams at different locations (beach, park, different countries)

Need a name for it though...

Anyways, thats down the line a bit...

Wow, that's great. Here in Chile there are so many places that are great to found inspiration for some jamming sessions. If you came here one day let me know.

how about Dev And Dave as a name for the album

kinda like chaz and dave expect less cockney

Thank you, Devin, and lots of respect for sharing those self-reflective thoughts with us again. My english isn't good enough to clearly express what i´m really thinking, but in my humble opinion it's one of the most outstanding things about your music, that it reflects not only one kind of emotion or "image" but such a wide diversity (what makes a human). I think that many of your fans (including me) see themself as quite "multi-layered" and have sometimes problems to get in peace with oneself. It's very rare that i can identificate myself with pieces of art (or a particaular artist) in more than just one way (for example most artists or musical styles fit to some special moods but thats it: Bach, Meshuggah or Frank Zappa are important to me an can "touch" me in some way, but only in very special times). That you can "offer" such a variety of music, emotions and thoughts is in some way helpful (for me) to get those pieces together for myself. Sorry if i couldn´t make myself clear, i just wanted to say that it's absolutely fine if you just do what you do.

awesome dev. i wonder if your ever gona do a duet like steve vai did in his song "ya-yo-gak" and it shall be called the "devin and reyner townsend show!" oh yea and hows the poop machine doing? oh and do you use headphones when recording as not to wake up reyner? . yay for of topic ness

anyways all your videos are relitive to my interests.. love the ki video love the cheezburger and the melow jams are amazing also. the riff from cheezeburger is very melodic sounding compared to other syl albums. lol and the little techno part was awsome. ..... and do you have birds or something squaking in the background?


wow this post is all over the place.

oh yea can you post the pic of you screaming with all the weird cats and ailens and kentaro the pic is epic. i wana see it better.

Um. lurker first post.. in response to Devin's last previews into his progress. Really like what I'm hearing, I really do love metal, but I always imagined a whole album of the song Two Weeks, because I always go back to that track.. anyways, I ramble.. Devin, your melodies and musical sensibilities hit my brain just right, looking forward to it, best of luck.

Just message me if you need a guitarist willing to do any kind of music at any time! I would love to get away from my life at this point and do music "professionally"...if you even want to call it that...

And dammit Dev, you're so right! I cant stand just one style of music. Everything I've written(not everything I've recorded) is so different from the last thing I write. I think thats why I cant find musicians here where I live. No one here wants to do more than one kind of music, everyone is so dead set on one thing.

So I feel you 100% on that Dev man.

But seriously if you need a guitarist

I don't see how people let themselves get stuck like that.(aside from bad contracts) I really don't believe that there is any type of music that doesn't have something to offer. A certain style may not be mine but upon listening, I can always find something enjoyable about it. The best music all comes from one thing: purity-and that means being true to yourself and playing what YOU feel.

The jammin round the world reminds me of the No Quarter thing Plant and Page did.(check it out its pretty cool)

As for playing live: I did have a dream recently of playing with you (and Brian wadell{I had just watched the synchestra dvd before falling asleep}) in a Las Vegas hotel room. At one point we were standing in a circle and just going around adding bit by bit to some extraordinary music. A friend of mine was there too but you told him to bugger off because he kept playing his own stuff instead of actually working. You deserve better than me(well I could handle bass pretty well)...but oh well-I'll stop rambling...

[JuZ]

Interesting point you make about tying identity to music, Devin, and limiting yourself to a single genre.

I find this is often the case with many non-musicians ("fans"... not my favourite word), and those of us who dabble also. I have often wondered if it's a case of people lacking something in their own personality, to the point where they appropriate an identity from the music they are into, be it jazz dude, anarchic black metal fiend or chronic-chugging, train-tagging hip hopper. This is an arrogant perspective on my part though, and I think I've moved on from it. In the short term these are pretty fun roles to play, so good luck to anyone who identifies with them.

Perhaps the music and accompanying identity reflect and flesh out what's already there in people. If you have a bent towards the darker side of life, you might gravitate towards dark music and imagery. I have never understood that, but there have been one or two times in my life where I tried on different hats, based on whatever music I was heavily into at that stage. The hats never fit, and I'm glad they didn't as I'm now free to listen to what I hear.

It can be pretty joyous having your own little place in the world, based on what you see and learn, and the loved ones you share it with. Life can be simple if you let it (and it can be infinitely complex too...hehe). Opening your mind to other possibilities is pretty liberating also. In the case of music I love being able to hop from one genre to another, detouring around the "scene" to take the inspiration (or the shits and giggles) as they strike me. If I limited myself to one genre, I wouldn't have Talvin Singh. I wouldn't have DJ Shadow. I wouldn't have ABBA, Miles Davis or Band Of Horses, and I wouldn't have Ludwig Van.

Hey, I'm digging what you've shown us so far. Loving the tone and the minimalism especially. I shut up now and eat toast.

Yup, Decon. is just a demo...

My whole 're-emergence' as a musician is underlined by the fact that I am truly unable to do one style in lieu of all others. The quiet emphasises the heavy and vise versa. I'm not too into rapid ups and downs though, it's unhealthy creatively.

There are scores of folks who would love me to do syl and nothing else, believe me. Unfortunately, the last time I did that...I got SO SICK of loud music I wanted to puke. There was no escape from it. I appreciate that as a metaphor, and think that energy contributes to the chaotic nature of those stylings...but I was constantly battling to do peaceful music with folks that had no interest in it. SO, the heavy music suffered (got mellower) and ultimately stopped.

Thats where things go south for me. When I want to make chaos, you can be sure that it will out-chaos ANYONE, but that to the exclusion of everything else makes me very very bored.

The ONLY way I can provide that musical landscape for you, is if I am FREE to do whatever comes into my head...and as a person, I feel very strongly for peace, quiet, harmony and beauty. I think thats why my chaotic output resonates with folks so well, because it's coming from someone who truly isn't super interested in overstimulus. I am good at it though, and I enjoy it. But IN IT'S PLACE... or else I would probably just do ambient music and little else. It's about balance...If I'm free to do the peaceful, you can bet you'll get your chaos.

In terms of touring, I am interested in a SOBER collection of the best of the best. And lots of them...I want each atmosphere to be authentic and complete. I have found through playing with many many drummers and musicians, that usually...folks are interested in ONE THING, 'I want to crush the world' or 'I only appreciate free jazz' or 'don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing...' etc.

I believe lots of folks identities are heavily invested in what they choose to play. And I can appreciate it, I just don't relate.

I love Ravi Shankar and Paul Horn, I appreciate Behemoth and Meshuggah, I worship Stravinsky and love Def Lepard, I understand the motivation in Nickelback and love Abba and the Vengaboys...Rapoon, Mute Math, Merzbow, Barkmarket...WHATEVER.

If it's GOOD, I want to participate...I have many moods that require different vibrations.

Now, I use THE BEST PEOPLE for that particular project. No compromise. I refuse at this point to convince a metal head to be quiet and to make an opera singer scream bloody murder...IF I HAVE TO CONVINCE YOU, YOURE NOT THE PERSON. Theres room for it all, so as a PRODUCER, if I need jazz, get a jazz guy, if I need METAL, get the metal.

...and live?

Well it's either going to be 40 people or a VERY special and talented group of 7 (or so).

I think those of us who truly appreciate the full spectrum of your work, could completely understand the situation.
I love SYL, but i also understand that if you are forced into doing something which limits your creative output all the time, your going to want to go the other way. i think most of us who attempt any kind of music, could relate to that.

You have to go with wherever your emotions and creativity takes you. that is why im truly looking forward to all of these projects, because your expressing yourself in the way you wish to, without limits or boundaries. its a sad fact that there are too many musicians who are not willing to compromise. i find it hard to find people to work with, due to the fact that my taste in music could vary from very dark and heavy stuff to 1950s doo wop music I am not a fan of limits and with our current state in the music industry, everything has to be pushed into a catagory in order for it to be processed and sold.

Buy the all new improved Korn album. now with 30% less salt than other nu metal varieties!

We are all thankful for you keeping us in the loop and sharing your journey through the creation of these albums