"I WAS WRONG"... one of the most powerful and important phrases we, as humans, can think and proclaim. The maturity and growth this man has gone through is inspiring and brave. Kudos Devin. Thank you for sharing this!
My God... this is truly Devin cracking his skull open and letting us feast on the goo within. Thank you for this, sir. It is one of the best and most honest, cathartic and inspiring talks I’ve ever heard. Keep them coming!
Dev, having read your book and thinking I got to know you on a more personal level, these podcasts have truly allowed me to feel more of a connection to you in a way that the book lacked to some degree. This particular record allowed me to grow more as a person during a difficult time in my life. It opened my eyes to things in life that my eyes and mind were blinded to, and tracks like War, Soul Driven Cadillac and Truth were conduits in which I was able to attain a connection with life that I was lacking. A younger version of myself was deaf to the layers of which this record must be consumed in, so while I dug the record, it wasn't a stand out record like Terria or Ocean Machine was for me at the time. Now that I have grown more as an adult, Infinity is a record I return to quite often when I need to reconnect to that perfect headspace that it helped create. Thank you so much for taking time to divulge these personal bits on each record for us to enjoy. You have had an impact on my awkward teenage life, all the way up to the present adulthood I am at now, and will forever be one of my favorite musicians of all time. Don't stop being the Dev.
Your ability to be open about transgressions of your own and others as well as being willing to reflect on these darker times is extremely commendable. When i started this podcast journey on ocean machine, I wasnt expecting you to keep that transparency as strong as you have continued to do cause i sure as hell wouldnt expect anyone too and I know right now in my life I couldnt. Ive already said thank you and so has everyone else 10000 times but still, i appreciate this connection you are still making with all of us after all these years especially at this level. Cant wait for this to keep going.
This is by far the most interesting episode. I loved read about it in your book and still connect with your experience as you talk about it now. This podcast is really making my days better. Thank you again for doing these, I hope you stay safe and have a good weekend.
I had no idea Infinity was such a hard album for you and that it was such a bad time in your life. I have always thought it sounded so life-affirming that I am somewhat stunned listening to this episode. Thank you again for sharing. These episodes are invaluable.
I was honored to be at one of your last shows this tour, in Atlanta! You were playing War and I was holding my phone up to record you, while singing loudly along with you. You gave me a quick grin, mumbled something like “thats it” and that shot straight to my soul. To think of all the times I listened to that song over and over again 20 years ago, at the ripe age of 18, and here I am at 38 and my role model witnesses me singing his creation with him, and I being some random stranger.
Hello people. This is a great example of self reflection. A lot of people should be able to benefit from listening to the very fabric and perceptions of Devin’s mind. There is a beauty in cross examining one’s experience good or bad. I have personally done 21 Ayahuasca ceremonies and thankfully have become a better man for it. Call it what you will weather it is getting your reset button pushed or delving hard into spiritual body building, psychedelic experiences help and broaden our perceptions and definitely help cross examine who we actually are and what kind of relationship we want to have or establish with our planet earth. 🥰
I just listened to this while in the hammock in our backyard looking up at the canopy of trees, sunlight through the leaves. This podcast episode moved me and there aren't enough words to describe how much I connected to this. So I will just say thank you Devin for your courage and vulnerability in offering this to us. 🙏🏼
Also, coincidentally, the first time I tried acid I was listening to The New Black by SYL, and "Almost Again" really encapsulated my experience and that song has a lot of significance to me.
These podcasts have been such an incredible gift! I wish he hadn't forgotten to talk about Noisy Pinkbubbles. That is such a powerful song for me. I don't know if Devin reads any of these comments, but I wish I could tell him that for me, and I'm sure for many of us, he's so much more than just a musician, he's also a teacher, a guide if you will, or someone that, through his music and insights, travels alongside us in this journey of life, helping us surpass our obstacles and reflect on our choices. His music has been with me for over 20 years. I was instantly fascinated when I first heard it and my appreciation has only grown.
1:25:02 I remember playing this specific part of Truth over and over again. It was a mind blowing experience. Now I come to find out that when it does go into mono; it was all just a mistake.
Kudos to you Devin for obliterating the notion that substances, or mental dysfunction are prerequisites for compelling creativity. Your body of work in sobriety is incredible and shows those things are impediments more than catalysts
i never had any friends who were fans of Devin, so it's neat to come here and see all these other nerds soaking it up like i am. wish we could all sit by a fire and enjoy each others company :)
Ah crap. Was hoping to hear about “Noisy Pink Bubbles”. One of my favorite moments on the album is the lonely “You never could tell by the face he was starting to go....” section.
Devin, thanks so much for doing these podcast!!! I'm loving hearing you talk about the process behind the music without having an interviewer injecting themselves into or derailing the conversation. I'm really hoping you'll shed more insight into how you went from being the guy that knew something just wasn't right about the "Ocean Machine" masters and not knowing how to fix it to being the genius arranger/mixer you proved yourself to be on "Empath". I think that would be so valuable to many of us who are somewhere in the middle of that journey. We've heard over and over that an artist shouldn't mix his own records, and, while almost always true, you just destroyed that argument by doing something the greatest mixers on the planet couldn't match with "Empath", which I consider to be the most daring and emotionally complete album in the history of recorded music (that I'm aware of at least). And how is this going unnoticed? Where are the grammys? Why isn't Pensado's Place beating your door down trying to get you on the show to unravel this mystery?? Oh, because the secret isn't the plug-ins or the gear? It's got to be the ideas, the vision and the inability to let things go when what's coming through the speakers isn't meeting one's standards sonically or emotionally. Perhaps that combined with a ton of time and a little OCD? I think you've broken through a new level where the writing, arranging and mixing have melded together into something new. You've turned mixing into a compositional tool and it seems to me like the inevitable next step in the evolution of record making. Please tell us more!!
This whole pandemic has been very traumatizing - So many of us feel such a personal connection through your art and interviews. You sharing your most personal experiences and struggles with us through these podcasts - only cements that bond. A lot of us have had tremendously dark times. Your incredible music and voice have been the soundtrack to my personal redemption. What's amazing is there are so many others that have found strength and beauty in your art, at moments when they can be so hard to find.
“Clear yourself, so you are causing the least amount of suffering to yourself; by your own hand”. Very well put and a very important thing to take away from this. Very much enjoyed this episode. Thank you Dev.
Devin, thank you so much for this. I've had a similar trip that derailed my whole life, alienating my family and all the friends I had, crashing out of university and getting into tons of debt. That messiah complex looking back is haunting...I'm so regretful on how much I had hurt the people closest to me and how far from reality my delusions were. I was put on anti-psychotics and took years to rebuild my life, personality even. The 'Devin Townsend Project' quadrilogy at the time (Ki-Ghost) was huge for me when recovering from my suicidal state relating to 'deconstruction' and certain songs and lyrics. Heaven Send for example 'How can heaven be so fanatical?'. I felt alone, but your music resonated with me helping me put the pieces back together. This podcast episode has done so much for me, thank you' - Mike
These podcasts have meant so much to me. I'm heading toward 50 and I still struggle to heal, change, and grow. When I hear Dev laugh, I feel like everything is going to be okay.
I agree that "Mad Scientist" cover (I think it was on Metal Hammer Magazine) was very misplaced and I felt a bit uncomfortable as I read the whole thing back then. As fantastic as Infinity was, it was literally visible that Devin was not in a very healthy condition, body & mind, and that something very wrong was happening. In retrospective it was the unhealthy combination of psycho drugs (as he says himself) and a hyper-active/curious mind, that was burning with the speed of light (even without the drugs). To such bright burning minds, full of thoughts, fire and energy, psychedelic drugs are often way too much too handle. I am happy Devin hit the breaks before it was too late and keeps blessing us with such wonderful music.
"Redemption". Your words resonate so hard in me, this is very powerfull. These experiences forged the accomplished musician and human being you are today. Very inspiring, as always.
Man I feel this hard. I remember sitting down with you a bunch of times between 97-99 an talking in depth with you about many of these same things but from a different perspective. I knew something wasn’t right with your aura but mine wasn’t right either. So I was confused as, what I knew an what was being said an portrayed, about you, was so out of context ,I felt I couldnt make up my mind if you were “the one” or if I was just searching for someone to place that title on. An I had to just let it go an say to my self, ahh it’s juss all messed in my head, Dev is awesome, I’m awesome, let’s roll on. I eventually had breakdown an lost my world as I knew it. It’s true we are all, “the one”. We r all “PART” of the one. Well said and to hear you talk this way is juss beautiful man an makes me feel happy for you an even proud. You’re a hell of a human Devy, thank you for all you do. ❤️🤘🏻❤️
It's interesting that beyond all the drama, pain and suffering, the actual music remains amazing and mind-blowing. I'm glad Devin recovered from ego-inflation, but art remains timeless.
I studied music in school and my parents had always told me that I was talented and special. I sort of developed a similar mentality, thinking that I was better than everyone. Thinking that everything I touched was gold. 10 years later I’m happy I grew out of it. to hear that I’m not the only one who has ever struggled with this, especially someone who is also a musician and how this mentality affects the process has been invaluable. Thank you for opening up and speaking your truth.
I think everyone goes through that phase in life, or at least they should go through it. I have breaking fucking news for all you guys: without EGO nothing ever gets done in this world. Supressing ego is not the ultimate answer that you guys all love to rave about.
This podcast also resonates with me in ways. I used to be very self-righteous and still struggle with reminding myself that I might be more wrong than most and shouldn't get pompous and too proud. My ex-girlfriend finally taught me empathy, but it has been a nasty lesson of my own character, how flawed it is. I also really want to give to others, that might've been the core of all my issues when I was younger, but struggle finding ways and also get something for myself as well. Bumping into hard things every time you soften yourself and then hardening as a result again. Giving to others but draining yourself with that at the same time and then becoming ultimately selfish. The struggle to find the balance. Thanks for doing these podcasts, they work as group therapy, to hear someone else also struggles with life and tries to learn what it is to be human and live a good life, have a meaning. Being forgiving and supportive to others, and to yourself.
Devin got heavy in an entirely different way for this one. I appreciate how unflinching and open he is about himself and his actions, this cannot be easy to put out in a public sphere. Grasping your mistakes and knowing what lessons to take from them; that's what we're here for. Kudos to Devin for another great podcast ep.
Amazing honest confessional of losing one's mind. I love the album even with the pain it caused Devin and those around him, glad that apparently all have healed. That closing statement at the end (1:43:25) is how I strive to live my life.
I can see where Devin is coming from with his philosophical musings of "oneness". I too went through a phase of new-age spiritualism and Astral Projection in my teens, and though I am very much a skeptical atheist now, I can still see the value in fables and stories that express feelings of unity within our culture. We all are part of one planet, a pale blue dot spinning in space. We may chose our individual paths in life with no set destiny laid out for us, but we still contribute to society as a whole in some way or another. So the more we help each other form a cohesive, caring unit, the more we can thrive!
These podcasts have been extremely Insightful. I've only started listening to your music about 2 or 3 years ago and in that time you've gone from "that weird prog dude who's music I kinda like" to my favorite artist. And I know this is awkward to hear, but some of us can't helpt it ok! Haha. Anyway. I never knew the story behind these albums and have only guessed by trying to Interpret the music and lyrics. My point being: even though you don't know, even though some albums and the making of them have caused others harm. Your music, almost all of it, has helped me channel emotions, has helped me open up to people, and has had a general positive impact on my life and possibly subsequently the lives of others trough mine. That I think is the beauty of art. You maybe didn't mean to help in some stages of your career, but you unknowingly did. I know there are many others that have found (some) solace and recognition in your work. I can feel that this is a difficult one to talk about, so I wanted to point out some of the positives. Keep doing what you're doing, you're doing great!
Damn. When I was 15 or so I started smoking weed and that opened up my awareness to see my thoughts in a new way. I began to question reality and meditate to find what is really true in this world. I found pieces of art that would showcase this a bit like the Beatles or other prog/ prog metal bands. Then when I was 16 I found Devys music and I absolutely fell in love. The music was so compelling and true to me. Then of course one night I was listening to War off of Infinity and I hear "in the morning bout a 3 or so, cant stop thinking about what I know... cant stop thinking about the universe.... god is in the mountains, as is in the rock, and god is not concerned about keeping stock" and that shook me because I realize his experiences was very similar to what I was going through. Ironically, while tripping on mushrooms a few years later while listening to Soul Driven, I had the experience he was describing, and literally interpreted it the same way. I was the second coming of Jesus or Buddha here to awaken humanity and bring world peace. I have since learned the lessons I needed to, and dont have a complete Christ complex. But its quite funny that to this very album about the experience he was having I had a very similar experience. Shits weird yo
Such a underrated album. Completely ahead of its time and still holds down today among the new. Blows me away everytime and I've been listening for years and years. Such a top tier album top to bottom
It is the base condition of every conscious person to go from knowing you exist, to thinking your existence is original and then accept we're all just existing in a flow of knowledge.
Thank you devin for the insight into your albums and to yourself at the time of making of each album. It is inspiring to know over the course of time you have come to peace with a lot of these albums. Of course it's from a different perspective, but regardless wisdom sometimes only comes with age.
This series is amazingly binge-worthy! I grew up listening to Terria and Ocean Machine nearly on constant repeat. So great to hear the stories behind this back catalog!
Reminds me of a lyric from the Cave In song "Iron Decibels" which made a lot of sense and helped me: "Don't search for any meaning, forward into the gold"
If you can track them down, the Contain Us boxset included album commentaries for Ki, Addicted, Deconstruction and Ghost that are similiar to these podcasts and worth a listen.
I have a feeling that there won't be so much to discuss at that stage. It seems to me that Ziltoid and Deconstruction sort of wrap up the angst and issues Devin had during Infinity and SYL. Ziltoid is the narcissist persona Devin described in this Podcast.
Mmm, cannot wait for that one - Storm was my fave DTP song for a long time. Most of my friends got off the Dev train after Physicist, but AE had a profound impact on me (and my connection to nature in a tangential way, alongside Terria). Also Deadhead seems to be his career-defining song nowadays, so interested to hear his thoughts on that
Ugly, and a catharsis for the listener to hear what was going on behind all this. It's one thing to read shit in a magazine, and even to read between the lines, and think, maybe he really went through this for real, and it wasn't some cool rebellious rock-star thing. But this makes it all clear. All delivered honestly, despite the difficulties and complexity in expressing the situation. And you are not 50 yet. C'mon, you're like 3 years older than me, which means your music got out just in time to provide a soundtrack to me going through my own shit, for which I am very grateful.
Dev, you’ve been the single biggest influence on my musical tastes, and now, you’re one of the biggest influences on my real life. I can’t draw any true comparisons to your life, but I’m, at this point, going through some shit that can be somewhat compared to since of what you dealt with. This specific episode hit home for me, I honestly feel like you spoke directly to me, and I want to thank you for everything you’ve done, both musically and otherwise. You’re literally the best, don’t let anyone, or yourself, tell you otherwise lol
I totally get what you mean by going over these albums reopening your state of mind and experiences during that particular time period. This is what connects your fans to you. Relistening to your music, any music you love for that matter will take you back to that time period to relive your state of mind and experiences. We all experience the same emotions throughout our lives. We all are walking along this path together separated only by space and time.
1:21:18 Cover of Infinity - Why is he naked? 1:24:26 Truth 1:26:38 Christeen 1:27:42 Bad Devil 1:29:11 War 1:30:52 Soul Driven 1:32:04 Ants 1:33:05 Colonial Boy 1:34:46 Dynamics Devin forgot to talk about Noisy Pink bubbles
Whether or not you read these Devin, thank you for your honesty. Thank you for sharing the wisdom you've gained and allow yourself to be vulnerable with your audience. Your words encouraging introspection and seeking help if needed just may help people as much as your music and art. Thank you.
Brother you have brought so much soul through your ❤. I will support with continued faith in your career and as a human being you are a shining example of a loving, honest talented wonderfully flawed human🦋❤🦋 I thankyou so much with all the love and entertainment you have manifested devin. Only spiritually will heal this world.
1:05:30 "Truth is I thought it mattered " "I thought that music mattered" "But does it? Bollocks " "Not compared to our people matter" -Chumbawamba Could be unrelated, but that quote immediately surfaced in my head when I heard that
This is such great insight. You've always mentioned every album corresponds to your overall life/mental state, but always kind of glossed over the particular circumstances. I think it takes courage too, to expose your past without "romanticizing" it as you say
I've been waiting for this podcast since I first heard Infinity when I was 16. There was something about this record that changed me, and it's weird to now hear all the similarities between my experiences as a teen and yours (replace Fist of the North Star, which is sick by the way, with Neon Genesis). But if it's any consolation, I always interpreted the sense of 'oneness' from this album as a sense of oneness with life, and all things that affect somebody, and trying understand your place in that whole, and that's why it felt so profound to me. That's what is so amazing about art; people take from it interpretations that might help them, even if the intention of the artist was different. Thanks for making life-changing music.
"The character is so drawn to the light that he's willing to destroy himself to participate in it... but as an entity he is evolutionarily not capable of understanding." This was incredible.
Devin Pown...ugh, whatever my name is. Seriously though, these podcasts have been the highlight of my days, I'm loving listening to Devin and his thoughts and his honestly. Dev if you read this, thank you for opening up yourself in such a personal way for us to hear.
What an amazing episode! Thank you Devin for being so honest about your experiences and even your downfalls! I’d love to hear you talk some more about spirituality and your insights in how this whole human existence thing means to you/to us all.
I remember that i was full into SYL (didnt know about DTB at that time) and a friend lended me "Infinity", i was just 17 ... i still had that rage and beautifull madness with CITY in my universe (sometimes til 2day) went to my house and listened from Truth to Unity... and it was the most mind liberation experience i had at that point, for example .... with Master of puppetz i discovered that Metal and distorted guitars was my stuff... but years after, then with infinity i discovered that life is complex and you need a personal way out of all reality and structured social construction as we know it.... Til this day DYNAMICS is an statement for me, mind liberation in all aspects.. that record is pure philosophy and thanks for that Dev. (waiting for moooore podcastsss!!! When ZILTOIIDDD!!! (1 by the way, the Z2 is just the second part of a weird movie but Z1 is a real dream)
Really means something to hear Dev’s perspective on this, as someone who has (much more mildly) struggled with the experience of radical non-dualism -this helps clear some things up in my own psychology
I came to know of Dev's music after first hearing Tiny Tears. That massive sadness to me lead me his whole collection. This series of podcast are truly what fans love to hear about when they are recording. Dev has such self awareness about his path. We can always learn from him or other humans and take a piece of it with us. This guy has helped me through dark depressed times in my life. We the fan have such a loyalty as a group and follow him. It is amazing.
I was one of the most insightful podcast I've heard. Not at all what I expected from this album. But just a reminder of the music we create or the art we create in the impact they can have on us, on our lives and on our awareness of who we are and what we're doing. Boosh
Damn, Devin. That was serious and better than just an explanation of the music/production. I'm seeing your career and music in a new light (not that I knew what the hell your motivations were). This discussion didn't sound easy to do. Thanks.
Thank you so so so much for sharing your experiences and perspectives in such a public and vulnerable way. The insights and inspirations I am gleaning from listening to these podcasts are great, and plentiful.
To say the least, I'm loving these podcasts! The making of albums has always been a fascinating process especially when someone is in that kind of head space. Very powerful words
Great Podcast Dev. Really nice to hear you articulate you past experiences. It really helps me to put my life into some kind of context. God bless you. 😊
Wow this episode was incredible! This has to be one of the best episodes of any podcast I've ever heard. Thank you so much Devin for having the courage to tell us this story.
I dont know how to feel about this one Dev, but i'm grateful you went through what you did back then to become and be on the journey your on now. Hearing how much of an asshole you were back then, makes me love you even more, in that its so relatable. at the same time, changes the perspective of what i experienced as a devoted fan since OM. i had no idea you acted that way back then, even on the odd occasion when i met you high as a kite....but at the same time as an avid fan or follower of your music. I can safely say that you are the chosen one.
This episode was, cathartic. Sometimes hearing certain introspective things from an outside source helps cement them as something not to be overlooked, something that should not be written off lightly, or at all. Thank You.
Thanks Devin for these insights to such great music. Be sure that when it's hard to talk about something, you are sharing something valuable to others that go through the same things. Stay strong over there in these messed up times and we'll be there on the other side.
"I WAS WRONG"... one of the most powerful and important phrases we, as humans, can think and proclaim. The maturity and growth this man has gone through is inspiring and brave. Kudos Devin. Thank you for sharing this!
that " I was wrong" was an ax to the trunk. I felt that shit viscerally. ooof! my heart thing.
I teared up a little.. powerful words.
one of my favorite subreddits: www.reddit.com/r/IWasWrongAllAlong/
Yep. Think about how few people out there are prepared to say that.
My God... this is truly Devin cracking his skull open and letting us feast on the goo within. Thank you for this, sir. It is one of the best and most honest, cathartic and inspiring talks I’ve ever heard. Keep them coming!
Dev, having read your book and thinking I got to know you on a more personal level, these podcasts have truly allowed me to feel more of a connection to you in a way that the book lacked to some degree. This particular record allowed me to grow more as a person during a difficult time in my life. It opened my eyes to things in life that my eyes and mind were blinded to, and tracks like War, Soul Driven Cadillac and Truth were conduits in which I was able to attain a connection with life that I was lacking. A younger version of myself was deaf to the layers of which this record must be consumed in, so while I dug the record, it wasn't a stand out record like Terria or Ocean Machine was for me at the time. Now that I have grown more as an adult, Infinity is a record I return to quite often when I need to reconnect to that perfect headspace that it helped create. Thank you so much for taking time to divulge these personal bits on each record for us to enjoy. You have had an impact on my awkward teenage life, all the way up to the present adulthood I am at now, and will forever be one of my favorite musicians of all time. Don't stop being the Dev.
if this doesn't shake you to core, nothing will, Townsend is a blessing to us all.
Your ability to be open about transgressions of your own and others as well as being willing to reflect on these darker times is extremely commendable. When i started this podcast journey on ocean machine, I wasnt expecting you to keep that transparency as strong as you have continued to do cause i sure as hell wouldnt expect anyone too and I know right now in my life I couldnt. Ive already said thank you and so has everyone else 10000 times but still, i appreciate this connection you are still making with all of us after all these years especially at this level. Cant wait for this to keep going.
This is by far the most interesting episode. I loved read about it in your book and still connect with your experience as you talk about it now. This podcast is really making my days better. Thank you again for doing these, I hope you stay safe and have a good weekend.
These must be the most positive comment sections I've ever seen on TH-cam.
I had no idea Infinity was such a hard album for you and that it was such a bad time in your life. I have always thought it sounded so life-affirming that I am somewhat stunned listening to this episode. Thank you again for sharing. These episodes are invaluable.
I was honored to be at one of your last shows this tour, in Atlanta! You were playing War and I was holding my phone up to record you, while singing loudly along with you. You gave me a quick grin, mumbled something like “thats it” and that shot straight to my soul. To think of all the times I listened to that song over and over again 20 years ago, at the ripe age of 18, and here I am at 38 and my role model witnesses me singing his creation with him, and I being some random stranger.
Hello people. This is a great example of self reflection. A lot of people should be able to benefit from listening to the very fabric and perceptions of Devin’s mind. There is a beauty in cross examining one’s experience good or bad. I have personally done 21 Ayahuasca ceremonies and thankfully have become a better man for it. Call it what you will weather it is getting your reset button pushed or delving hard into spiritual body building, psychedelic experiences help and broaden our perceptions and definitely help cross examine who we actually are and what kind of relationship we want to have or establish with our planet earth. 🥰
I just listened to this while in the hammock in our backyard looking up at the canopy of trees, sunlight through the leaves. This podcast episode moved me and there aren't enough words to describe how much I connected to this. So I will just say thank you Devin for your courage and vulnerability in offering this to us. 🙏🏼
Also, coincidentally, the first time I tried acid I was listening to The New Black by SYL, and "Almost Again" really encapsulated my experience and that song has a lot of significance to me.
These podcasts have been such an incredible gift!
I wish he hadn't forgotten to talk about Noisy Pinkbubbles. That is such a powerful song for me.
I don't know if Devin reads any of these comments, but I wish I could tell him that for me, and I'm sure for many of us, he's so much more than just a musician, he's also a teacher, a guide if you will, or someone that, through his music and insights, travels alongside us in this journey of life, helping us surpass our obstacles and reflect on our choices. His music has been with me for over 20 years. I was instantly fascinated when I first heard it and my appreciation has only grown.
1:25:02 I remember playing this specific part of Truth over and over again. It was a mind blowing experience. Now I come to find out that when it does go into mono; it was all just a mistake.
Kudos to you Devin for obliterating the notion that substances, or mental dysfunction are prerequisites for compelling creativity. Your body of work in sobriety is incredible and shows those things are impediments more than catalysts
This is like sitting in on the ultimate psychiatrist session. wow. I hope this is therapeutic for Devin.
i never had any friends who were fans of Devin, so it's neat to come here and see all these other nerds soaking it up like i am. wish we could all sit by a fire and enjoy each others company :)
Ah crap. Was hoping to hear about “Noisy Pink Bubbles”. One of my favorite moments on the album is the lonely “You never could tell by the face he was starting to go....” section.
a-damage13 yeah I also wondered why he didn’t go into that song? My fav from the album. And yes that one section...
I'm glad I wasn't the only one to notice. That song is 👍
Devin, thanks so much for doing these podcast!!! I'm loving hearing you talk about the process behind the music without having an interviewer injecting themselves into or derailing the conversation. I'm really hoping you'll shed more insight into how you went from being the guy that knew something just wasn't right about the "Ocean Machine" masters and not knowing how to fix it to being the genius arranger/mixer you proved yourself to be on "Empath". I think that would be so valuable to many of us who are somewhere in the middle of that journey.
We've heard over and over that an artist shouldn't mix his own records, and, while almost always true, you just destroyed that argument by doing something the greatest mixers on the planet couldn't match with "Empath", which I consider to be the most daring and emotionally complete album in the history of recorded music (that I'm aware of at least). And how is this going unnoticed? Where are the grammys? Why isn't Pensado's Place beating your door down trying to get you on the show to unravel this mystery?? Oh, because the secret isn't the plug-ins or the gear? It's got to be the ideas, the vision and the inability to let things go when what's coming through the speakers isn't meeting one's standards sonically or emotionally. Perhaps that combined with a ton of time and a little OCD?
I think you've broken through a new level where the writing, arranging and mixing have melded together into something new. You've turned mixing into a compositional tool and it seems to me like the inevitable next step in the evolution of record making. Please tell us more!!
This whole pandemic has been very traumatizing - So many of us feel such a personal connection through your art and interviews. You sharing your most personal experiences and struggles with us through these podcasts - only cements that bond. A lot of us have had tremendously dark times. Your incredible music and voice have been the soundtrack to my personal redemption. What's amazing is there are so many others that have found strength and beauty in your art, at moments when they can be so hard to find.
Can't wait to listen. Infinity and Terria are _the_ albums that introduced me into the hevydevyland.
“Clear yourself, so you are causing the least amount of suffering to yourself; by your own hand”. Very well put and a very important thing to take away from this. Very much enjoyed this episode. Thank you Dev.
Listening to you makes me feel it's just the two of us. An intimate interview. Thank you for being the One.
That quick story about the “Super Bowl” made me spit my coffee everywhere! 😂😂
I dont understand how you can not flush any toilets for even 4 days but 2 weeks is outlandish. The smell, the mass... a real Bono!
Devin, thank you so much for this. I've had a similar trip that derailed my whole life, alienating my family and all the friends I had, crashing out of university and getting into tons of debt. That messiah complex looking back is haunting...I'm so regretful on how much I had hurt the people closest to me and how far from reality my delusions were. I was put on anti-psychotics and took years to rebuild my life, personality even. The 'Devin Townsend Project' quadrilogy at the time (Ki-Ghost) was huge for me when recovering from my suicidal state relating to 'deconstruction' and certain songs and lyrics. Heaven Send for example 'How can heaven be so fanatical?'. I felt alone, but your music resonated with me helping me put the pieces back together. This podcast episode has done so much for me, thank you' - Mike
These podcasts have meant so much to me. I'm heading toward 50 and I still struggle to heal, change, and grow. When I hear Dev laugh, I feel like everything is going to be okay.
What a Good Friday indeed! Devin Townsend Podcast: To Infinity & Beyond!! Thank you Devin!!!
Thanks Devin. These podcasts are such a force for good and positivity. Could listen to you talk all day.
I can’t thank you enough for sharing all of this, Devin. I am truly grateful.
I agree that "Mad Scientist" cover (I think it was on Metal Hammer Magazine) was very misplaced and I felt a bit uncomfortable as I read the whole thing back then.
As fantastic as Infinity was, it was literally visible that Devin was not in a very healthy condition, body & mind, and that something very wrong was happening.
In retrospective it was the unhealthy combination of psycho drugs (as he says himself) and a hyper-active/curious mind, that was burning with the speed of light (even without the drugs).
To such bright burning minds, full of thoughts, fire and energy, psychedelic drugs are often way too much too handle.
I am happy Devin hit the breaks before it was too late and keeps blessing us with such wonderful music.
This is one of the most insightful and fascinating things I’ve heard in my 40 years of life. Thank you sincerely.
"Redemption". Your words resonate so hard in me, this is very powerfull. These experiences forged the accomplished musician and human being you are today. Very inspiring, as always.
1:23:49 It's funny coming back to this quote with The Moth in the works.
Man I feel this hard. I remember sitting down with you a bunch of times between 97-99 an talking in depth with you about many of these same things but from a different perspective. I knew something wasn’t right with your aura but mine wasn’t right either. So I was confused as, what I knew an what was being said an portrayed, about you, was so out of context ,I felt I couldnt make up my mind if you were “the one” or if I was just searching for someone to place that title on. An I had to just let it go an say to my self, ahh it’s juss all messed in my head, Dev is awesome, I’m awesome, let’s roll on. I eventually had breakdown an lost my world as I knew it. It’s true we are all, “the one”. We r all “PART” of the one. Well said and to hear you talk this way is juss beautiful man an makes me feel happy for you an even proud. You’re a hell of a human Devy, thank you for all you do.
❤️🤘🏻❤️
It's interesting that beyond all the drama, pain and suffering, the actual music remains amazing and mind-blowing. I'm glad Devin recovered from ego-inflation, but art remains timeless.
I studied music in school and my parents had always told me that I was talented and special. I sort of developed a similar mentality, thinking that I was better than everyone. Thinking that everything I touched was gold. 10 years later I’m happy I grew out of it. to hear that I’m not the only one who has ever struggled with this, especially someone who is also a musician and how this mentality affects the process has been invaluable. Thank you for opening up and speaking your truth.
I think everyone goes through that phase in life, or at least they should go through it. I have breaking fucking news for all you guys: without EGO nothing ever gets done in this world. Supressing ego is not the ultimate answer that you guys all love to rave about.
This podcast also resonates with me in ways. I used to be very self-righteous and still struggle with reminding myself that I might be more wrong than most and shouldn't get pompous and too proud. My ex-girlfriend finally taught me empathy, but it has been a nasty lesson of my own character, how flawed it is. I also really want to give to others, that might've been the core of all my issues when I was younger, but struggle finding ways and also get something for myself as well. Bumping into hard things every time you soften yourself and then hardening as a result again. Giving to others but draining yourself with that at the same time and then becoming ultimately selfish. The struggle to find the balance. Thanks for doing these podcasts, they work as group therapy, to hear someone else also struggles with life and tries to learn what it is to be human and live a good life, have a meaning. Being forgiving and supportive to others, and to yourself.
This wasn't easy to talk about Dev, I can tell, thank you for sharing it with us
Devin got heavy in an entirely different way for this one. I appreciate how unflinching and open he is about himself and his actions, this cannot be easy to put out in a public sphere. Grasping your mistakes and knowing what lessons to take from them; that's what we're here for. Kudos to Devin for another great podcast ep.
Amazing honest confessional of losing one's mind. I love the album even with the pain it caused Devin and those around him, glad that apparently all have healed. That closing statement at the end (1:43:25) is how I strive to live my life.
I can see where Devin is coming from with his philosophical musings of "oneness". I too went through a phase of new-age spiritualism and Astral Projection in my teens, and though I am very much a skeptical atheist now, I can still see the value in fables and stories that express feelings of unity within our culture. We all are part of one planet, a pale blue dot spinning in space.
We may chose our individual paths in life with no set destiny laid out for us, but we still contribute to society as a whole in some way or another. So the more we help each other form a cohesive, caring unit, the more we can thrive!
I look forward to these more than anything else as of recently.
These podcasts have been extremely Insightful. I've only started listening to your music about 2 or 3 years ago and in that time you've gone from "that weird prog dude who's music I kinda like" to my favorite artist. And I know this is awkward to hear, but some of us can't helpt it ok! Haha.
Anyway. I never knew the story behind these albums and have only guessed by trying to Interpret the music and lyrics. My point being: even though you don't know, even though some albums and the making of them have caused others harm. Your music, almost all of it, has helped me channel emotions, has helped me open up to people, and has had a general positive impact on my life and possibly subsequently the lives of others trough mine.
That I think is the beauty of art. You maybe didn't mean to help in some stages of your career, but you unknowingly did. I know there are many others that have found (some) solace and recognition in your work.
I can feel that this is a difficult one to talk about, so I wanted to point out some of the positives. Keep doing what you're doing, you're doing great!
4 years too late, but Thank you for this Devin. These podcasts are still helpful and valuable 💚
Damn. When I was 15 or so I started smoking weed and that opened up my awareness to see my thoughts in a new way. I began to question reality and meditate to find what is really true in this world. I found pieces of art that would showcase this a bit like the Beatles or other prog/ prog metal bands.
Then when I was 16 I found Devys music and I absolutely fell in love. The music was so compelling and true to me. Then of course one night I was listening to War off of Infinity and I hear "in the morning bout a 3 or so, cant stop thinking about what I know... cant stop thinking about the universe.... god is in the mountains, as is in the rock, and god is not concerned about keeping stock" and that shook me because I realize his experiences was very similar to what I was going through.
Ironically, while tripping on mushrooms a few years later while listening to Soul Driven, I had the experience he was describing, and literally interpreted it the same way. I was the second coming of Jesus or Buddha here to awaken humanity and bring world peace.
I have since learned the lessons I needed to, and dont have a complete Christ complex. But its quite funny that to this very album about the experience he was having I had a very similar experience. Shits weird yo
That was incredible.
I can't say anything to accurately express just how thankful I am to hear this.
But...thank you.
Such a underrated album. Completely ahead of its time and still holds down today among the new. Blows me away everytime and I've been listening for years and years. Such a top tier album top to bottom
It is the base condition of every conscious person to go from knowing you exist, to thinking your existence is original and then accept we're all just existing in a flow of knowledge.
Thank you devin for the insight into your albums and to yourself at the time of making of each album. It is inspiring to know over the course of time you have come to peace with a lot of these albums. Of course it's from a different perspective, but regardless wisdom sometimes only comes with age.
This series is amazingly binge-worthy! I grew up listening to Terria and Ocean Machine nearly on constant repeat. So great to hear the stories behind this back catalog!
Thank you Devin, for these podcasts, your music and your soul that shine in every songs you made. I whish you the best!!
"The best way out is through"
Wow. Just wow.
Reminds me of a lyric from the Cave In song "Iron Decibels" which made a lot of sense and helped me:
"Don't search for any meaning, forward into the gold"
This was so heavy... So painfully honest!
I definitely took a lot out of this, and I thank you, Devin, for sharing!
I cannot wait for Ziltoid or Deconstruction and Addicted
If you can track them down, the Contain Us boxset included album commentaries for Ki, Addicted, Deconstruction and Ghost that are similiar to these podcasts and worth a listen.
@@dantemorris2874 good luck finding a copy of Contain Us, it's rare
I have a feeling that there won't be so much to discuss at that stage. It seems to me that Ziltoid and Deconstruction sort of wrap up the angst and issues Devin had during Infinity and SYL. Ziltoid is the narcissist persona Devin described in this Podcast.
www.mediafire.com/file/9uju9mh7frqh29t/Devin_Townsend_-_Album_Commentary.zip/file
I'd love to hear a podcast on accelerated evolution.
Well hang in there, we're getting to it
Mmm, cannot wait for that one - Storm was my fave DTP song for a long time. Most of my friends got off the Dev train after Physicist, but AE had a profound impact on me (and my connection to nature in a tangential way, alongside Terria). Also Deadhead seems to be his career-defining song nowadays, so interested to hear his thoughts on that
Wow......just wow. This episode has helped me so much in ways I can't even begin to try to find the words to explain. Thank you, Devin.
Ugly, and a catharsis for the listener to hear what was going on behind all this. It's one thing to read shit in a magazine, and even to read between the lines, and think, maybe he really went through this for real, and it wasn't some cool rebellious rock-star thing. But this makes it all clear. All delivered honestly, despite the difficulties and complexity in expressing the situation. And you are not 50 yet. C'mon, you're like 3 years older than me, which means your music got out just in time to provide a soundtrack to me going through my own shit, for which I am very grateful.
Dev, you’ve been the single biggest influence on my musical tastes, and now, you’re one of the biggest influences on my real life. I can’t draw any true comparisons to your life, but I’m, at this point, going through some shit that can be somewhat compared to since of what you dealt with. This specific episode hit home for me, I honestly feel like you spoke directly to me, and I want to thank you for everything you’ve done, both musically and otherwise. You’re literally the best, don’t let anyone, or yourself, tell you otherwise lol
I totally get what you mean by going over these albums reopening your state of mind and experiences during that particular time period. This is what connects your fans to you. Relistening to your music, any music you love for that matter will take you back to that time period to relive your state of mind and experiences. We all experience the same emotions throughout our lives. We all are walking along this path together separated only by space and time.
1:21:18 Cover of Infinity - Why is he naked?
1:24:26 Truth
1:26:38 Christeen
1:27:42 Bad Devil
1:29:11 War
1:30:52 Soul Driven
1:32:04 Ants
1:33:05 Colonial Boy
1:34:46 Dynamics
Devin forgot to talk about Noisy Pink bubbles
Whether or not you read these Devin, thank you for your honesty. Thank you for sharing the wisdom you've gained and allow yourself to be vulnerable with your audience. Your words encouraging introspection and seeking help if needed just may help people as much as your music and art. Thank you.
Brother you have brought so much soul through your ❤. I will support with continued faith in your career and as a human being you are a shining example of a loving, honest talented wonderfully flawed human🦋❤🦋 I thankyou so much with all the love and entertainment you have manifested devin. Only spiritually will heal this world.
1:05:30
"Truth is I thought it mattered
"
"I thought that music mattered"
"But does it? Bollocks
"
"Not compared to our people matter" -Chumbawamba
Could be unrelated, but that quote immediately surfaced in my head when I heard that
These are like Missing Dad Therapy. Glad Dev finally got around to doing these, they came at the right time.
Thank you Dev, that was an amazing listen. I’m glad you could talk about this all and help get it out of your system. X
This is such great insight. You've always mentioned every album corresponds to your overall life/mental state, but always kind of glossed over the particular circumstances. I think it takes courage too, to expose your past without "romanticizing" it as you say
I've been waiting for this podcast since I first heard Infinity when I was 16. There was something about this record that changed me, and it's weird to now hear all the similarities between my experiences as a teen and yours (replace Fist of the North Star, which is sick by the way, with Neon Genesis). But if it's any consolation, I always interpreted the sense of 'oneness' from this album as a sense of oneness with life, and all things that affect somebody, and trying understand your place in that whole, and that's why it felt so profound to me. That's what is so amazing about art; people take from it interpretations that might help them, even if the intention of the artist was different.
Thanks for making life-changing music.
Jesus Dev, that's beautiful and tragic and humbling man... I'm sorry and grateful for what you went through
Podcast about the album ... But I have a feeling that I visited a very good psychotherapist. Thank you so much, mr Townsend
Thank you Dev for the openness and honesty, peace and love to all.
"The character is so drawn to the light that he's willing to destroy himself to participate in it... but as an entity he is evolutionarily not capable of understanding." This was incredible.
Devin Pown...ugh, whatever my name is.
Seriously though, these podcasts have been the highlight of my days, I'm loving listening to Devin and his thoughts and his honestly. Dev if you read this, thank you for opening up yourself in such a personal way for us to hear.
What an amazing episode! Thank you Devin for being so honest about your experiences and even your downfalls! I’d love to hear you talk some more about spirituality and your insights in how this whole human existence thing means to you/to us all.
I remember that i was full into SYL (didnt know about DTB at that time) and a friend lended me "Infinity", i was just 17 ... i still had that rage and beautifull madness with CITY in my universe (sometimes til 2day) went to my house and listened from Truth to Unity... and it was the most mind liberation experience i had at that point, for example .... with Master of puppetz i discovered that Metal and distorted guitars was my stuff... but years after, then with infinity i discovered that life is complex and you need a personal way out of all reality and structured social construction as we know it.... Til this day DYNAMICS is an statement for me, mind liberation in all aspects.. that record is pure philosophy and thanks for that Dev. (waiting for moooore podcastsss!!! When ZILTOIIDDD!!! (1 by the way, the Z2 is just the second part of a weird movie but Z1 is a real dream)
Really means something to hear Dev’s perspective on this, as someone who has (much more mildly) struggled with the experience of radical non-dualism -this helps clear some things up in my own psychology
I came to know of Dev's music after first hearing Tiny Tears. That massive sadness to me lead me his whole collection. This series of podcast are truly what fans love to hear about when they are recording. Dev has such self awareness about his path. We can always learn from him or other humans and take a piece of it with us. This guy has helped me through dark depressed times in my life. We the fan have such a loyalty as a group and follow him. It is amazing.
I was one of the most insightful podcast I've heard. Not at all what I expected from this album. But just a reminder of the music we create or the art we create in the impact they can have on us, on our lives and on our awareness of who we are and what we're doing. Boosh
I'm in tears listening to this.
Thank you! No pressure. We''ll love 'em when you post 'em.
It is taking me a little while to get around to listening to these Dev - but they're a joy to listen to.
Someone could make a movie based on this podcast alone. Tons of insight and such an interesting series of events for young Devin
This podcast series is cathartic. Both for us listening, and (it seems) for you making it. Stay strong. It's good, positive content.
Hey Dev, thank you very much for this journey you're sharing with us. Love to you and your family. Stay safe ❤
Thank you, Devin. For everything. Truly and sincerely
This is just damn good listening. Interesting, subdued and explorative.
These pods are beautiful. I hope you keep doing these after all the albums. We love you dev.
Another amazing album and another insightful and inspiring podcast. Thank you Devin. 🙏
Cant wait for the Terria and Alien episodes yeeeeeeeeeesh.
Damn, Devin. That was serious and better than just an explanation of the music/production. I'm seeing your career and music in a new light (not that I knew what the hell your motivations were). This discussion didn't sound easy to do. Thanks.
I hope you keep doing these Dev, I thoroughly enjoy listening to these. They make working from home so much better!
Still listening through the discography Devin i am almost fully enlightened... very interesting story as well. You rock!
This podcast was 100% cathartic. Hard to listen to at times, but ultimately a good thing. Enjoyed it immensely and glad Devin is the way he is now
Thank you so so so much for sharing your experiences and perspectives in such a public and vulnerable way. The insights and inspirations I am gleaning from listening to these podcasts are great, and plentiful.
To say the least, I'm loving these podcasts! The making of albums has always been a fascinating process especially when someone is in that kind of head space. Very powerful words
The Moth sounds great, and thank you so much Devin for talking about all these things.
Awesome dude. Thanks for sharing Dev
Great Podcast Dev. Really nice to hear you articulate you past experiences. It really helps me to put my life into some kind of context. God bless you. 😊
Wow this episode was incredible! This has to be one of the best episodes of any podcast I've ever heard.
Thank you so much Devin for having the courage to tell us this story.
I dont know how to feel about this one Dev, but i'm grateful you went through what you did back then to become and be on the journey your on now. Hearing how much of an asshole you were back then, makes me love you even more, in that its so relatable. at the same time, changes the perspective of what i experienced as a devoted fan since OM. i had no idea you acted that way back then, even on the odd occasion when i met you high as a kite....but at the same time as an avid fan or follower of your music. I can safely say that you are the chosen one.
This episode was, cathartic. Sometimes hearing certain introspective things from an outside source helps cement them as something not to be overlooked, something that should not be written off lightly, or at all. Thank You.
Thanks Devin for these insights to such great music. Be sure that when it's hard to talk about something, you are sharing something valuable to others that go through the same things. Stay strong over there in these messed up times and we'll be there on the other side.