You pretty much summed up why I love Dev's work so much. I have a VERY short attention span as it is, so the last thing I want in a band is predictability. You never know what you're gonna get from the Devster, he's like a musical Kinder Egg

I can't agree more; that's why I love Devy so much as well.

There's a lyric to a PT song that comes to mind right now:
"Now the sound of music
Comes in silver pills
Engineered to suit you
Building cheaper thrills"

And that's today's music industry. Unfortunately, people no longer appreciate music as an art form, but instead as product "engineered to suit you." Devin's not like that, though, and you can tell by the sincerity of his music. He doesn't seem to give a fuck; the man makes music that's special and meaningful to him, and hopes that it'll become just as meaningful to us.

The music industry makes it just that though. Band brings out album, it's successful, band needs to bring out another album as soon as possible...and it BETTER sound similar to the last. The public become used to this then get aggressive when they don't get what they want. Unfortunately people like our wee Dev are put on the recieving end of this, and some do cave. Thankfully Dev has stuck to his guns and been doing his thing at his own pace! There's been a bunch of people complaining on another forum I'm on that SYL should just reform and do an album like Alien after the ABSOLUTE HORROR of a mellow Ki...if I wanna listen to an album like Alien I'll listen to Alien :\ Besides, if he isn't gonna enjoy making an album, how would he expect me to enjoy listening to it?!

All of the bemused and ambivalent comments to the artwork remind me of that South Park episode where God appears before the world.
"That's God?"
"What did you expect me to look like?"
"....well, not like that!"

The artwork is growing on me though, so that's good.

[The Dev]

'To thine own self be true' ??

...ain't in a position to be a martyr for anyone. I do what I do because it compells me. (cue victorious crecendo...)

To tell you the truth, I have no idea why we can't just opt for an easy route. Some sort of spiritual alarm clock went off about 6 years ago, and now anytime I do anything that makes things 'easier' (drink, smoke, etc...) things just feel profoundly wrong. I'm sure Freud would have a thing or two to say about it.

I like the validation of seeing how these meanderings react with people. I like the opinions, good and bad. Obviously, nothing I do is any more or less than current observations. I like different points of view and to be honest, the only true thing I find through all of this is not only can you not please everybody, but the amount of folks that become indignant or downright harsh as a result of a musician not doing what they want is pretty fascinating. (and touching, tbh...)

I had a crazy run-in with some label folks the other day that were beyond frustrated with the two new records (let alone the third that is currently not being talked about between us... they're saying the momentum we started with Addicted will be neutered by Decon and then doused by Ghost.

So I came home and tried to write a few poppy songs. Picked up the guitar and wrote a bunch of songs that sound like rustic 70's folk instead. Hilarious. What wants to happen, will. The songs like Christeen and Life only come once in a while it seems.

Decon has pissed off a bunch of the syl camp 'why didn't you do this with syl?' I think I'm getting from them... I wish I could just put a mirror up in front of some folks and say 'you REALLY don't know? ...think hard. Listen to it again.'

I would happily play Ghost stuff every day for a long time. I doubt it's to be though...although that album seems to almost be getting more attention than Decon in some ways.

The computer makes it seem like things are more intense or dire than they really are. It's a bunch of music in a long string of records. Being a family man is heavy. Sobriety can be a constant struggle. I would write pop bullshit and make a fortune if it came naturally. What comes naturally is this weird-ass stuff that tends to get peoples shit in a knot. I love it.

Ugh...need some sleep. Take it easy folks, I appreciate the dialoge here. Positive and negative, I need it both. When the records find their ways to your ears, enjoy them. Take them with a grain of salt. Analyze them, don't analyze them...throw them away, put them on your mantle. Whatever.

Be good to yourselves. I'm trying to be good to myself. The biggest hurdle right now is the idea that sobriety, and not just being a liability ultimately has no reward. There's no prize at the end of the rainbow. It would just just as easy to be a heathen as it is to keep it straight. Family helps, but relationships are fucking heavy. My natural impulses are much more visceral than I would like. I think the leash I put myself on keeps me from being 'one of them' in a way... but the thought is usually 'well...whats wrong with that?' and it usually ends back in some dialogue about faith.

Faith, I was told recently, is a form of mental illness. (thanks dude...ya dickhead) but I guess the nature of faith is it's unproveable, and perhaps the best way to fight the relentless bullshitery of modern society and life is to practice being vulnerable.

Take that, me...

I have faith in the fact that there are beautiful things in my life. I have faith that there are horrible things in the world. I have faith that things are ultimately as they should be.

My sex drive is changing recently. Not that too... shit a goddamn brick.

The last bit about the dude telling you faith is a mental illness... what a douche. Faith is different from simply subscribing to a belief system, its a sense of trust, imo. There's something unsettling about those kind of people who refuse to accept other opinions.

I'm also surprised by the reaction of the label dudes regarding Decon and Ghost, hell, what were they expecting? It's beyond offensive to tell a musician that what they put out is the 'wrong' thing.
Anyway, enough indignant bootlicking. All the best for the immediate future, Dev.

[Octillus]

The label dudes never got you and never will man.

S'cool, when the whole music system gets borked, your fans will still be there to follow ya. Because you do what comes naturally to you, we're here. If we wanted processed auditory food, there's plenty of it out there.


As for the other stuff, well, I'm being overly reflective so I can't really comment too much on it, but I think everyone needs that one thing that they can rely on. It's religion for many, creative expression for some, manual labor for others. Just something steady to hold as your own as we twirl on a rock in the middle of the empty vacuum of space.

The things you say about accountability, well, I'm pretty much of that mindset myself. Once you've moved past the external forces that are supposed to guide you, it really does come down to your own personal standards you set for yourself, and how disappointed you are in yourself when you inevitably don't hold up to those standards (as no one is perfect 100% of the time). Be true to yourself (and I think this applies for all that you've said) and that'll be the best way to find happiness. Just don't buy a leather jacket and a convertible, alright?

[The Dev]

Dude, just wait till you see the next 'phase'...

Toupe, camaro, leather jacket...rolling up to pretty women, head out the window:

'Laaaadies... I make awkward music and am hung up scatological humor...let's copulate!!! ...rub my bald spot for good luck yeeeeahhhh'

[Octillus]

Only after you show them your sweep techniques

WHUT? THERE WILL NOT BE AN ADDICTED II? NOOOOOOOOO. *hacks wrists with plastic spoon*

Seriously, I would say "ignore everyone" but you kinda can't. I totally appreciate your nads (not literally) to do what you wanna do. The only other person I know who did that was my mum when she decided "FUCK THIS." after years of teaching in one of the roughest schools in London and decided to be a technical artist. The family all thought she had a screw loose but she stuck to it and now she's swamped with so much work I've had to take over I had faith in her (and she's mental), so I have faith in yooooou! I kinda pity people who get genuinely vicious over an album or a band, cause for me it's no different to thinking the stuff in Eastenders is real life. Don't let those folk bother you; just do what you have to do when you want to do it, and make sure you're happy while you do it

Not licking yer bum or nuthin', just saying how it is Big smiles now! Hope you have decent break :3

Toupe, camaro, leather jacket...rolling up to pretty women, head out the window:

'Laaaadies... I make awkward music and am hung up scatological humor...let's copulate!!! ...rub my bald spot for good luck yeeeeahhhh'

SOLD.

I wonder if that "next phase" will be spoken word.

Not sure if it fit´s here but, this is the first thing that comes to mind when people argue of music

"Because after all, you're just talking meat...and music?
Well, it's just entertainment folks."

[EphelDuath666]

I really dig the Decon cover art. Or to use my recently acquired new skills...I <3 it. I haven't heard a note of Deconstruction so I have no idea how it fits to the music and to be honest...I don't really care either. I don't really think about stuff like that. I like the artwork. And I'm pretty sure I'm gonna love the music. And that is pretty much all that matters to me. To be more precise...the cover artwork could show a dog turd that's decorated with tomato slices and parsley, I'd still buy Decon for the music.

I do like pop and all. But seriously though, decon + ghost is simply gonna be better than addicted.

I had a crazy run-in with some label folks the other day that were beyond frustrated with the two new records (let alone the third that is currently not being talked about between us... they're saying the momentum we started with Addicted will be neutered by Decon and then doused by Ghost.

So I came home and tried to write a few poppy songs. Picked up the guitar and wrote a bunch of songs that sound like rustic 70's folk instead. Hilarious. What wants to happen, will. The songs like Christeen and Life only come once in a while it seems.

That's what happens when you are honest with yourself. I think the label understands how you write, but they probably don't understand why you can't fake it for an album or two. They think "Does it always have to be so personal and honest? Can't the guy just fuck around and lighten up a little? Can't he just do it for the hell of it?" They know what you are capable of. They've been waiting for something like 'Addicted' from you for a while. Now they've had a taste, I have a feeling they will always hold that over your head. 'Addicted' is your 'Hysteria.'

I'm trying to be good to myself. The biggest hurdle right now is the idea that sobriety, and not just being a liability ultimately has no reward.

Dude, you think too much. lol There really is only one reason to stay sober, and there's a good chance that genetics are going to put him in situations that you've already been through. He's going to need his dad to get him through it, and you have to be there for him, and your head better be fucking clear. lol