I've always wondered what artists thought of people calling them a 'genius' or a 'god.' This thread has helped to shine some light on that.

Most of the time, I'd rather NOT meet an artist after a concert because more often than not I have nothing in common with this guy aside from the fact that we like similar music. I hate having nothing to say but "You're awesome!" It makes me feel like a tool, and the guy probably thinks that too. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to meet the Dev to shake his hand and tell him thanks for the music, but I have no desire to know the guy anymore than what he says here, on his own forum. We're probably very different people, but thank "god" for that - Not everyone needs to be the same.

Concerning the original thread topic - I feel it's already been answered correctly - It all comes down to the individual. Someone like myself who doesn't feel the need to connect with the musician in order to connect with the MUSIC wouldn't be too effected by knowing the personal thoughts and opinions of said musician. However, the people that create these idols for themselves to reach out for and connect with probably do so for the purpose of enjoying the music more... which is fine. It only becomes a problem when the artist watches American Idol.

On another note, someone else said that Jeff Loomis was the coolest mother fucker that they've met (as far as 'famous' musicians go)and I'm inclined to agree. He's one of the few musicians I've met that seemed down-to-earth at the time of meeting, it's easy to hold a conversation with the guy. Kelly Shaefer from Atheist is the same way, really.

I'm sober, almost 40.

Hey, you're 37, I'm 38 - WE'RE NOT 40 JUST YET DAMMIT!!!

Sorry. I feel better now.

What are you saying, young man?

To be fair, nutjobs aside, I think a lot of people that describe artists as being "gods" or "geniuses" are just using hyperbole, and don't actually think of the artist in those terms.

That said, I think the moral of the story is, fuck being even slightly famous. I'm sure it has its advantages, but I'm not sure it's worth it if you can't go about your business without being hassled by nutjobs. Then again, I'm really not good with people, so I'm probably more likely to say that than your average guy.

Most of the time, I'd rather NOT meet an artist after a concert because more often than not I have nothing in common with this guy aside from the fact that we like similar music. I hate having nothing to say but "You're awesome!"

Yeah, I generally tend to avoid meeting artists at concerts, aside from maybe getting a quick autograph or something. What the hell do you say to someone when you know absolutely nothing about them, other than that they make cool music?

"So... who here likes music? Eh?"

Some really interesting viewpoints here...Dev's especially - possibly one of the lengthiest mails I've read from him (or should that be..Him.. ;p)

Typically, I don't feel like I went into enough detail about my initial point...& I still can't work out whether Dev is in agreement with me or not, although he certainly made his feelings very clear regarding being 'idolized'. I guess that comes into what I was trying to articulate, but my main issue was, on a grander scale, whether or not seeing Art being deconstructed (wahoo!) is a good or a bad thing...sycophantic behaviour wasn't really what I was getting at...

I agree entirely with Dev that idolizing people because of their art isn't the healthiest approach, absolutely. But by the same token, Dev's post made me feel almost guilty about having the belief that great Art really can be transcendental and can be, dare I say, 'spritiual' & above and beyond comprehension. My personal belief is that Dev has a gift, a god-given gift & to be frank, it's above and beyond even HIM..if you get me...it's almost like he's a vessel if you will... Hence the reason that I don't see him as anything other than a seemingly cool guy... He's been blessed with something & that's between him and the Universe ultimately...that I hold his Gift in such high esteem doesn't mean I feel that should be echoed in how he is treated and perceived.

Again, to try and sum up the specifics, it's like going back to the first time you saw, well for example, The Dark Crystal compared to how you see it now..Gelflings were real, the world was real & I was THERE....nowadays; warm nostalgic glow, great puppetry but..it's..just..a..film... & I hate that.. In a roundabout way that what I meant in regards to music I guess...

By the way, if you haven't already, I urge everyone (at least the more introspective types perhaps) to download, FOR FREE, the new Maudlin of the Well album "Part the Second". On their website available to download there n' then... Fucking beautiful stuff...

Gotta be honest....

When i was younger, i did think of Dev as a god....but as a musical god....waiting for the next SYL or solo album to come out was like waiting for christmas when you're like 8 years old if you get my drift, and you know what, as of yet i've never been dissapointed.

I did the metal hammer uk superfan thingy (which i know i've mentioned a few times but i'm honestly not trying to show off or anything) but i did it for one reason and one reason only - i got bored of seeing the same thing every week, machine head, pantera, korn etc etc etc and i thought "you know what? there's this genius musician dude who never really seems to get much press and i wanna know why, try and do something towards it and show my support!"

Anyhow, what i'm trying to say is that i thought of him as god in a musical way, not as an actual person cause i think that'd be a strange. I have been lucky to actually have a chance to sit and chat to Dev, not for long, about 15 mins or so, but he was just a normal guy and that to me was so much better then anything else.

We talked about music for a couple of mins and then talked about random stuff, mainly various animals and cats!! And to honest, that is exactly what i was hoping Dev would be like, i wasn't wanting to meet some majistical being who floated into the room with fluffy white clouds surrounding him with enya playing gently in the background. At the same time i did want him to be a stuck up twat.

The person i did meet was just a really chilled out, down to earth NORMAL guy, and i can't stress normal enough. I can honestly say that meeting someone who's work you've admired (singer, guitarist, actor, footballer etc etc) for a long time and for them to just be cool enough to talk to about any random subject from animals to favourite noises etc was a genuine pleasure and i am glad that i met him and know that he is like this.

From my own personal point of view, this hasn't changed my love of Devs music in anyway, if anything, now when i listen to SYL, DTB etc, i think that the man can scream, sing, shout, be heavy, mellow etc etc but can then go home and watch crap tv, hoover the living room and then do the washing up (also now, randomaly, his music makes me think about cats....Which is cool in a heavy metal feline way!!!!!!!!)

I appreciate your humbleness Devin, and you're willingness to open up to your fans.

Makes you seem like a genuinely good, down to Earth guy - and that's why there are so many people that like you, even if they go too far with it ( ) You're a cool human

I dunno if people calling you an alien/god are actually serious about it, Dev. I think it's more of an extreme way of saying how good you are at what you do. If people actually believe you to be an alien, then they should seek help. I've never called you a god/alien, just saying.
I enjoy you're music because it pleases me. You seem to be a down to earth guy, and that's hard to find in some types of music. Like these black metal guys who go on and on about being imbued with the power of satan to abolish christianity. I dig black metal, but cmon, you're just a dude who's pissed, admit it.
That's why sseing you recording stuff and giving these honest interviews is so neat. It shows you're not an arrogant asshole who looks down on others. You're just a person like everyone else, and that is comforting in a way. People are just people. (Kind of, but not really) knowing you (from a distance) makes the music much more personal for me.

. The satanists seem to have given up on me though...apparantly I'm 'too weak' to accept my true calling.

This made me laugh.
Although, I reckon it could be cause your 'too strong', in the other direction. I can appreciate the sacrifices made by putting yourself out there as a celebrity (from what I've gathered there's been some pretty tough times). I guess some people like to share a little differently.

If some people thinks you are a god, they have they reasons and they obviously know you are just a dude, you eat, you shit, whathever, they know it. But, you are "just a dude" who made something that made some people think you are a god. I didn't know about your drug poblems and this has nothing to do with it, but when i heard of it i thought (and still think, hard to get over it) "so all these lyrics, music and concepts that influenced me through these years came from a stoned dude?" but here i am, listening the new stuff as all the people that are here in this forum, and still thinking about you as a genius 'cause of what you did, and despite the fact you are "just a dude" there's nothing that can take away the fact that you did incredible music and your music is what you are, so god, genius, freak... doesnt' matter, that refers to your music and goes beyond you are just a dude

I feel that knowing more about the artist makes me like the music better. I like knowing that songs are coming from a real person with real thoughts, and that the music means something to them.

Devin, I love listening to your music because it makes me FEEL. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative, different albums make me feel different things, but they all make me FEEL something. That, for me, in and of itself is what sets your music apart from most. At different times in my life I've been attracted to different kinds of music, in the past 5 years or so I've been more attracted to music that expressed a distinct personality, music that made me feel like this person (or persons) was rooted in real life of human ups and downs, because that's where I've been as a person. Your music has fit into that in a great way for me.

On a side note though, I have to admit I did just name my fantasy football team for the upcoming season the "Pasty McBaldertons", with the thought to possibly shorten it to the "Pasties"...I'm not sure if that counts as "worship" or not...

Dev, you pwn, the end.

thanks for everything
danmo

Being a musician myself; knowing the insights to an artists thought process, production process and even their personality helps me learn more about the music. It surely does not take away the enjoyment of a comfortable listening session. In fact, it educates me on how you 'could' make music. 'Ah yes i remember him talking about this part, so thats how he did it, cool, i'll remember that.' ya know?
I don't think you can 'know' someone through a forum, you know someone when you know them physically through friendship (or if your enemies heheh). I guess coming on these forums, i somewhat 'know' Dev's train of thought towards writing, recording and promotion. I could be completely wrong on the other hand, but nonetheless i find it helpful. It makes me think!!!
In conclusion, i read these forums quite often, i always see what Dev has to say - because I find it educational and I believe in what he's doing now (writing honest music, being honest towards himself). Sometimes I believe we're on the same wavelength, sometimes we aren't.

Having said that, my inner fanatic would like to say 'Hey Dev, lookin forward to seeing you down in Australia! Whenever that may be.'

[The Dev]

Art and music is spiritual, and God given...it is beyond any of us, we're just the workers.

I don't think the music isn't awesoem, there's just a seperation between 'church and state'

Music was always there, we just WORK and get it down on tape.

I love my job!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_RYMU5 ... -fresh+div

It's a good video, but I fail to see the relevance... to your job or the thread. Or Bill Cosby, for that matter.