Devin Townsend Chats To Stereoboard About His Ascent To Heavy Music Superstardom (Interview)
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Written by Ben Bland
You’ve spoken in other interviews about how 'Epicloud' surprised you in a way. At what point during the recording did you realise that the record was going to turn out how it did, stylistically? I think I knew pretty early on that it was headed in the direction it ultimately turned out. In fact, when I write I generally have a spark of inspiration during the writing of the first song that defines the direction...the picture isn't clear, but the feeling or colour that the record will end up being ends up being defined from the very start. Epicloud was no different in this regard.
The fact you have got this record out so quickly amazes me, frankly, because you have been so busy over the last eighteen months or so anyway! How exactly do you find the time to do all this stuff?
Well I suppose a lot of it has to do with the fact that my 'vacation is my vocation' (so to speak)... my work is something I enjoy immensely and feel compelled to do, even when not technically 'working'. It is very rare that I don’t have a guitar in my hands, and as a result, my experiences are sort of documented through riffs and ideas sort of unconsciously. When it comes time that I have a moment to reflect, I have a fairly bottomless supply of riffs and ideas. My process of documenting them is also quite streamlined.
Is the 'Epicloud' sound perhaps the natural dynamic of the Devin Townsend Project as it is at the moment? Do you think that maybe the grouping of musicians you have lean especially towards this particular style together?
Yes, exactly. I think each grouping of musicians ends up being representatives of a certain sound or aesthetic. I try to include musicians that are part of the 'vision of the album' for the recording, then I have chosen musicians for live that are a solid group to live and travel with. Epicloud used those musicians, so I suppose your assessment is correct.
Do you foresee the Devin Townsend Project moniker being permanent from now on or, if you decided to make another ambient record for example, do you think you would release it under a different name?
I don't know...on one hand, the logo is too good to let go (laughs), but on the other, what defines the project? Perhaps 'Devin Townsend Presents' may be a better use of the logo in the future and opens it up for different things. To be honest, I follow where it leads and who knows where it may lead?
Over the last couple of years your name really seems to have gone sky high in terms of success, which is interesting because in many ways the ‘quadrology’ DTP albums were your most ambitious musical statements to date. Why do you think the level of recognition has increased so dramatically?
Our new management, with Andy Farrow at the helm. No question. Up to this point there has been no cohesive direction. Having someone lead the ship with an objective viewpoint has really been the turning point in regards to all this work. I don't think I'm doing much differently; just someone in charge of direction goes a long long way.
You are obviously a massively prolific musician, not just in the studio but also on the touring front. How do you manage to stay fresh when on the road for such large periods of time?
I believe that learning to tour involves a change in perspective. Those who cannot handle it die off quickly, and those who find success are those who learn to cope. My life is travelling, and that has many challenges, family, money, health, moods etc... However, like any skill, it's one that requires diligence and discipline. I believe that my views on life are beginning to become clearer, and my job is becoming clear. I don't party, drink do drugs or have extramarital affairs, so yeah, it's a discipline to just comfort yourself and learn what works and what doesn't takes a while, but after that, it's just going through the routine and sticking to it.
Your long awaited Retinal Circus show is coming up very soon. It was announced almost a whole year ago so how difficult has it been to deal with the levels of expectation for it? I assume you must have something pretty special planned…
Yeah...it has come and went (there's a testament to my diligence with interviews eh? Whoops!) and it was a hell of a thing. In terms of dealing with expectations, it really comes down to taking things with a grain of salt. As soon as you assume things are of 'utmost importance' there's little or no chance of letting your creative forces flow...it becomes stunted in the fear of failure. I think that’s why the circus was a success to me on a personal level, because it addressed fears of failure in very forward ways and we allowed ourselves to be 'hung out to dry' to criticisms of all sorts. But you know? That’s why it worked in my opinion, because we collectively said 'fuck it' to the expectations and fears of criticism and just went for it. Regardless of whether or not it was technically perfect...we fucking did it when countless folks wouldn't have had the balls. Hooray for our side.
With so much going on do you actually find much time to listen to new music at the moment? If so, what sort of stuff are you into right now when you do get a chance?
Listening to some stuff, yeah...Robin Guthrie, some older Young Gods stuff, OLD (Sleastak) Jon Hopkins and various electronic things... it's nice to have music, but my mind is so full right now, I prefer easy-to-digest songs at the moment.
Despite all the success of the Devin Townsend Project every other interview I read with you mentions Strapping Young Lad and questions the possibility of a reunion. Why do you think people are still preoccupied with that? I mean, let’s face it; half of them may well not have given a shit at the time. How frustrating is it for you as a forward looking musician to have that question constantly dragged up?
It's the nature of the beast. People want what they can't have. Not to mention the rose-coloured-glasses people have of the past. Lots of these 'Strapping fans' didn’t give a shit when it was happening, so it's hard to not view as just the trendy thing to complain about. To be fair, the DTP is easily twice as successful as SYL ever was in its heyday and becoming more so all the time. That’s the truth. It's also testament to the decisions made being the right ones. This has direction, no excessive drama, and a really strong, adult team of professionals working towards common goals. That’s what I want out of my touring life, and that’s what I am sticking with. People's desire to go back in time I totally understand, but I'm afraid I just have to let that all go... I do what is right for me, and that’s all there is to it.
I suppose the Devin Townsend ‘brand’, so to speak, is getting to be one of the biggest in metal now. Do you worry in any way that your creative side might have limitations enforced upon it as a result of that?
Again, it seems to all depend the level of importance I place on it. If I take it with a grain of salt, there’s no end to the inspiration, but as soon as I view it as any sort of of 'prestigious position' it all goes south. I try not to spend too much time paying attention to it one way or another and just focus on my creative goals. In that way, it seems to be going well.
Finally, how long do you think you can keep this current cycle of immense creativity going? Being as prolific as you are at the moment is obviously great but does it concern you at all that at some point soon you’re just going to hit a wall?
I don't have any fears of hitting creative walls, but in terms of physically, yeah... it takes its toll. I think again, it all comes down to following the muse where it leads. When it's time to slow down, I'll know it and I will... but allowing it to lead me where it will, in a sober frame of mind, I have no fears that it will go places I'm uncomfortable with. Onward!
'Epicloud' is out now via HevyDevy. Devin Townsend Project play the following UK dates this week, with Fear Factory and TesseracT in tow...Christmas has come early for metalheads everywhere!
Thu December 13th 2012 - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
Fri December 14th 2012 - O2 ABC, Glasgow
Sat December 15th 2012 - HMV Ritz, Manchester
Sun December 16th 2012 - O2 Academy, Bristol
Mon December 17th 2012 - Mo Club, Southampton
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I think I knew pretty early on that it was headed in the direction it ultimately turned out. In fact, when I write I generally have a spark of inspiration during the writing of the first song that defines the direction...the picture isn't clear, but the feeling or colour that the record will end up being ends up being defined from the very start. Epicloud was no different in this regard. 
