It's a real pointer to what this world has become. The music that makes the most money
at the time are some of the most bland, uncreative things I've ever heard in my entire
life. And people are eating it up like it's the best meal they've had in years. It seems
like people just doesn't want music to be challenging to listen to. Well, maybe challenging
is the wrong word... Adventurous. They just want to sit there and let it seep in one ear
and forgetfully lurk out the other. And this makes me really depressed. Especially when
you have Devin's music here, but no one really has the patience to listen to it in this
ADD-ridden world where everything has to be done as quickly as possible. "It takes
three hours to go there? Let's make new fuel that makes it go faster and then it'll only take
one and a half. That's too slow? We'll just build a whole new thing alltogether and we'll make
it there in half an hour."

But I'm fairly certain better times are coming. Somewhere down the road someone has to
wake up and go "What the hell are we doing?" and sit down and smell the roses because the
state of the world right now is ridicilous.

Luckily we have you, Devin who stays true to what you believe in and hopefully you won't cave
in to the dark side of commercialism. It'll pay off in the end. Wont it?

It's a real pointer to what this world has become. The music that makes the most money
at the time are some of the most bland, uncreative things I've ever heard in my entire
life. And people are eating it up like it's the best meal they've had in years. It seems
like people just doesn't want music to be challenging to listen to. Well, maybe challenging
is the wrong word... Adventurous. They just want to sit there and let it seep in one ear
and forgetfully lurk out the other. And this makes me really depressed. Especially when
you have Devin's music here, but no one really has the patience to listen to it in this
ADD-ridden world where everything has to be done as quickly as possible. "It takes
three hours to go there? Let's make new fuel that makes it go faster and then it'll only take
one and a half. That's too slow? We'll just build a whole new thing alltogether and we'll make
it there in half an hour."

But I'm fairly certain better times are coming. Somewhere down the road someone has to
wake up and go "What the hell are we doing?" and sit down and smell the roses because the
state of the world right now is ridicilous.

Luckily we have you, Devin who stays true to what you believe in and hopefully you won't cave
in to the dark side of commercialism. It'll pay off in the end. Wont it?

Nicely written, I agree 100%

I believe I'm able to say... 'look, I've got 15 records I own the rights to, 2 more coming out in March, a ton of live stuff stockpiled, 15 different 'brands' to merchandise, Ziltoid, Rockband, a great band thats willing to tour 6 months of the year, an acoustic sideline, a studio, I can do video, I'm a reasonably entertaining personality, Peavey is doing a signature guitar, and I basically have the best 'fanbase' a dude could ask for...lets do this. Show me a plan, because I have a symphony in mind next...'

Actually, the fact that you have such an extensive back catalog, and that you yourself own the rights to it, probably frightens them a little. They are seeing an artist who has been around for 20 years and who has created some amazing music in that time, and they will have no control over any of that, and there is no guarantee that after 20 years you can produce anything comparable.

Now back when Van Halen's longtime manager Ed Leffler passed away, Alex Van Halen's brother-in-law at the time happened to be Ray Danniels, who most know as Rush's manager. They asked Danniels to manage, and he was in a situation much like the managers looking at you are in. He was being asked to take management responsibilities of a 20+ year-old musical act with a large catalog that he had no part of, and whose future music production was questionable (not that your production is in question, but there are no guarantees).

I'm not sure of all of the specifics, but part of the deal ended up being that VH released a 2 disc greatest hits package under Ray Danniels' management, giving him a piece of the back catalog in that he'd get a percentage from the greatest hits sales. Kind of a "Hey, we may implode tomorrow, so here's a little somethin' somethin' so you are guaranteed to get a little something from us, regardless of the future of the band."

This might be something you may consider throwing on the table. You do have an extensive catalog, and I think it would be a good idea to have some sort of compilation available allowing those interested to "catch up" a bit on your history. You could work something out so that whoever is managing you on release will get a piece of whatever that does, just to give you that extra appeal to those money-hungry bastards. Slap together your most popular and user-friendly stuff, and say "Hey, if no one buys any of the new stuff, at least you'll get something off of this stuff we already know people like." Sneak in a few live versions of stuff to appease the already-fans. Live version of 'Kingdom," anyone?

I think a compilation at this point would be a good idea, anyway. You have a lot if music out there, and that can be scary for new fans. A Devy sampler would do well, I would imagine.

Anyway, just thinking.

"Heart Baby" has been rocking me so hard for the last couple of months, via the live recordings. I don't think I have ever heard a more pretty/beautiful/ambient song in my life. Only song I can remember ever putting on repeat over & over & not getting tired of. Which is funny because I always give my wife such a hard time about putting a song she likes on repeat...but hypocrite has become my moniker because of this gem.
-Brent

Totally hear you.Hellyeah did 28k (in the US first week)

But at the cost of complete loss of credibility, assless chaps, a bottle of whisky & having to live this split persona where one tour you are a mutant space alien, the next you are a texas born drink till you fight, f*ck or piss cowboy.
Integrity still counts for something in my book & ole' brokeback mudvayne doesn't have much anymore. People will always buy their latest album hoping it sounded a little bit better than it's previous.
-Brent

[The Dev]

Andy from Northern is at the forefront actually in terms of management. There's also Dream Theaters guy, a cool lady in Germany who works with CM and a host of others.

Fingers crossed. Will know soon.

[swervedriver]

Dev, your voice is holding you back.

You should go higher.

Think punk.

Dev, your voice is holding you back.

You should go higher.

Think punk.

LOL! Well played!

He was being asked to take management responsibilities of a 20+ year-old musical act with a large catalog that he had no part of, and whose future music production was questionable (not that your production is in question, but there are no guarantees).

I'm not sure of all of the specifics, but part of the deal ended up being that VH released a 2 disc greatest hits package under Ray Danniels' management, giving him a piece of the back catalog in that he'd get a percentage from the greatest hits sales. Kind of a "Hey, we may implode tomorrow, so here's a little somethin' somethin' so you are guaranteed to get a little something from us, regardless of the future of the band."

Hmmm, although given he was already getting royalties on Rush's catalogue, it seems a wee bit trite to insist on putting out a best of compilation just so he could start creaming off a cut from day one on VH. But whutever. I'm a little jaded on the subject of managers.

Dev, you are at the top of your game creatively, it makes sense to hold out for the best management position you can get.

Dev, you are at the top of your game creatively, it makes sense to hold out for the best management position you can get.

hell yeah, fuck dealing with potential managers who don't even call back. They should be selling to you, not the other way round. Hold firm good man!

Hmmm, although given he was already getting royalties on Rush's catalogue, it seems a wee bit trite to insist on putting out a best of compilation just so he could start creaming off a cut from day one on VH. But whutever. I'm a little jaded on the subject of managers.

Music is a business. I know if I was in Ray Danniels' shoes, I would have wanted some financial guarantee from VH, especially with the turmoil the band was going through at the time. Sammy Hagar and Eddie were not getting along, Eddie was drinking like a fish, etc. It's not like they were giving him a piece of everything they ever did, just the sales of the "Best Of..." An arrangement like this works out well for the band financially, as well. No real time or effort needed, and they don't have to pay straight out of their own wallet.

Danniels did the right thing in his case, as the "Best Of..." disc sold very, but Sammy left the band and their brief reunion with Roth fizzled. Van Halen recorded VHIII with Gary Cherone singing, and it was the worst-selling VHIII album to date. That was back in 1998, and the band has not released a full album of new songs since. Danniels accepted the risk of taking on a band whose future was in question, and he managed to make some money for it. I see nothing wrong with that. The job he did in getting the turd that was VHIII properly promoted was amazing, compared to what was done in the past. Limited Edition CD's, MTV specials, tons of magazine and radio spots, TV spots, etc. Just goes to show you that no matter how much you polish a turd, it's still a turd.

Nothing wrong with wanting a guaranteed paycheck. I know I like getting paid for doing my job.

The definition of "success" is (or should be): The ability to continue living your life the way you want to live it.

That being the case, you don't have to go gold or platinum on your records to be a success (although I'll admit I was shocked at your sales figures... what is wrong with people??? I thought sure some of your stuff would have sold at least 50k copies). As long as you make enough to keep going and don't have to auction away your equipment and go to work at Walmart, you're a success. I'm sure you'll get past this management thing, there has got to be someone out there who will realize that you can be a goldmine with the right management.

I think the biggest problem is lack of exposure... I know a variety of different people, and I have played your music for alot of them, different songs for different people depending on what I think they would like, and everyone who I have played your music for has liked what they've heard. Granted, one might like "Ki" and nothing else, another might like "Ziltoid" and nothing else, but the larger point is, those who do would like to hear another album like Ki, or another like Ziltoid, etc... so what a potential manager/label/whatever needs to realize is that not only do you appeal to a wide audience, but you also have this super-dedicated fanbase that is going to buy anything you put out regardless (I would be one of those, as are likely the majority of people on this forum), which gives them something tremendous: a practically guaranteed revenue stream.

And if all else fails, we'll just start sending you money.

[JuZ]

Andy from Northern is at the forefront actually in terms of management. There's also Dream Theaters guy, a cool lady in Germany who works with CM and a host of others.

Fingers crossed. Will know soon.

Mate, I'm thinking of you and hope you get a decent deal done.

You've always given the impression of being someone who just wanted to make music and make a decent living out of it. You've been amazingly accessible and honest with us and as someone who appreciates you I can only say thank you for that and wish you the absolute best. It's a damned shame that this has become so difficult for someone with as much creative output as yourself. The world's a truly fickle place but I know what you do is some the finest music to grace the planet and for that I am grateful, even if it does make me sound like a grovelling shit.

For what ever little bit it's worth, you have my support as a long-term listener and will continue to do so.

I know a variety of different people, and I have played your music for alot of them, different songs for different people depending on what I think they would like, and everyone who I have played your music for has liked what they've heard.

Done exactly the same. My 11 year old sister who likes Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber also likes Dev's stuff.... And she loves Bad Devil!
Even my parents think Dev's a musical genius.

Can't wait to make them listen to Ghost. Decon. will probs be a liiiittle too heavy for them.

And I feel like 'I JUST TOLD YOU!! Lets ROCK MAN!!!'

Things are in relative shambles right now truth be told, we're holding it together for the US tour and the ViP tickets have helped buffer the reality of a money losing tour, but it's confusing to me... sometimes I feel like I'm making a real nice dinner and presenting it to people who only know how to sell cheeseburgers and they're like... 'wtf am I supposed to do with that?'

ugh...

But honestly, 'giving up' is not even a remote blip on the radar, it would just make it EASIER to focus if someone who UNDERSTANDS and has serious connections would be like 'what the fuck are we waiting for? there's a million opportunities here, lets do as many as we can with the intention of making tons of interesting, cool music... lets tour it too...and lets make the show amazing! here's a bunch of money so you don't have to mix some bands album while writing'

Sadly, so far (although I'm only a month into the search) it's: 'we only sell cheeseburgers, and your food is really weird...maybe we'll let you be involved with us for 20% of gross, we'll get back to you when we feel like it'

Damnit, dude!! I'll be your manager if you feel like it! And i'll do it for FREE!!!

Although I've no idea how to run that kind of things, I'm so enthusiastic about your music I know I could do it!

And indeed, my family too heard some of your stuff and they were like "Is that the guy you've been telling us about? He's great!"

Hey, here's an idea. We could commercialize those fancy Ziltoid hats we made for Tuska. It's cheap, easy to make and it can sell good! I'm sur more than one nerd would like one on his head.

We could paintjob our cars with the HDrecords sign and the DTP sign. We could do anything!

Man I would sell one of my kidneys if it ever came to that, so you can keep doing what you're doing!