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Interview with Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend Band and others) - Devin Townsend
I recently had the chance to speak with genious/madman Devin Townsend about his upcoming new album, Synchestra, the Strapping Young Lad album, Alien, the meaning of life and all that. Read on to catch a glimpse of this creative musician's life.
I'm Tajs from RevelationZ magazine in Denmark.
Cool.
So, are you busy right now? Doing a lot of interviews?
Oh yeah, but you know, all is well.
Do you want to say a few words about your new album, Synchestra?
Sure, it was written as the counterpart to Strapping Young Lad's Alien. It's basically a record about coming back down to earth after being in space with Alien for a while. And I think it has a sense of humility as a concept and a theme and ... uhm ... I really like it!
Haha, yeah, so do I. To take it from the beginning: Did you intentionally write the very quiet intro as the opposite of what Alien was?
To a certain extent. I mean, after Alien I wanted to write something that was almost like a proclamation to start the record. An honest kind of declaration of what the record was about and where I was at in life at that point. You know, to let it roll and kind of summarize that theme and I think that the idea that it's just guitars and vocals illustrate that really well.
I read that you think that Synchestra is sort of the antithesis of Alien.
Absolutely.
But Synchestra is stille pretty heavy at times? Not as extreme as Alien but still kind of heavy.
Well, I think that as a musician, I have two kind of emotional sides to me. Like everybody should have as a person... well maybe not everybody, but a lot of us. I think that, also as a musician, metal is my basis, regardles of whether or not it's Strapping Young Lad or The Devin Townsend Band. It's all going to be rooted in heavy music, it's just different variants of heavy music. Some of it is really thrashy and pseudo-black-metallish, kind of Strapping Young Lad, you know, hellscapes. And others is about, you know, the positive side of having children or a song about happiness or a song about a celebration but I think that metal is an artform you can punctuate those emotions by really hitting those notes with the heavy guitars and drums and all that, regardless of what the music is about. Heavy metal as a dynamic is really effective.
So you are not going completely soft?
Not yet, haha.
Still metal?
Yup.
I read that with Alien, you tried to see how far you could go, musically, how extreme it could get. But that it was painful in hindsight?
Sure it was painful, but that's definitely not something I want to wave a flag about, you know, and be like "poor me, it was so painful!". It's more like, "Wow! That was fucking crazy! Next!". I think that as an artist, in order for me to get to the next plateau, I kind of feel the need to explore things and sometimes that exploration leads you to places that are a little crazy. And Alien was no exception with that. But on the plus side, if I hadn't done that crazy music with Alien, then there's a good chance that Synchestra wouldn't have shown up. It's almost like one is the product of another. Like one offers closure to the questions of the other, so as a result of that, whatever lenghts I personally go to to achieve some of the records, it's technically just the legwork that goes into making the records that finish that and provide a really kind of warm environment to work under, such as Synchestra. So, hurray for Alien.
You also wrote that Synchestra was supposed to become a nice album to listen to?
Yeah, well I mean, maybe not to relax to, I mean it's fairly demanding still, musically, but it's definitely not as stressful to listen to as, say Alien or even Infinity or any of those records. I think it's a pleasant record to listen to, if you are in the headspace to listen to it. I mean, if you are not in the headspace to listen to Synchestra, there's a good chance it could annoy the piss out of you. But if you are, I think that you get away and be like "Wow, that was really cool" and also, I'm doing a record that's called The Hummer which is a really beautiful record and I'm satisfied that that one is actually technically really pleasant to listen to. So until that thime I think that Synchestra is the closest to pleasant that I have. But I have to say that it's still probably not the most pleasant thing so...
When I listen to Alien, sometimes I feel that it's so extreme that it becomes sort of meditative and relaxing in a way. Do you see it that way too?
Oh yeah, absolutely. That's kind of one of the points with Strapping Young Lad, sublime grotesqueness so I appreciate that you are able to spot that in Strapping Young Lad. I have to say that not a lot of people do. A lot of people listen to Strapping Young Lad and go "Oh my god, that's absolutely repulsive! Turn it off!".
Again, I guess it depends on the headspace you are in.
I aggree. Sometimes when I'm absolutely not in the headspace for Strapping Young Lad and it comes on like WAAAAAHHHH [screaming] then I'm like "Oh god, nononononono" and other times I'm like "Yeah, give me more, that's great!".
How do you create the massive walls of sound that you have on Alien and also sometimes on Synchestra?
I'm a big fan of multitracking. I hear lots of things going together at the same time. I just kind of go with that and go like "That was cool. You know what it needs? More!", and then when I'm done with putting more on I go "Yeah, that sounds great. But you know what would be even better? That's if I put more in there". And by the end when I'm done I think "...and now I have to mix this??? Holy shit!".
Yeah, that must take a lot of time to mix.
Oh yeah. And I don't think technology is quite where I need it to be in order to make it totally the way I want it to be heard. But eventually.
So you use a lot of the newest technology?
Oh yeah, the newest. I try to, whatever version of ProTools or Cubase or Logic is the most recent. And Ableton. The fastest computers and whatever. It makes me crazy when things aren't quick, so... I like working with fast gear.
How do you find time for everything you are doing with Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Band and producing albums and... How do you have time for your family?
I usually don't. I've given up on sleeping too. Sleeping is for the weak.
There are some pretty weird parts in Synchestra. Like in Triumph and also in Vampolka. What makes you put that kind of things in the music?
Well, this record is based on pressure and release and I wanted it to sort of defuse the pressure that a song like Babysong had built up. And so, Vampolka sort of allows me to sort of say "Ok, everybody take a break, it's not going to climax yet". And the same thing in Triumph, when it goes to that section, it builts up and builts up and you think it's going to let go and instead it like [humming the weird piece] and it kind of allows people to sort of...
Wake up!
Yeah, totally, even a song like Hypergeek it even says "Wake up". Throughout the lyrics, it's like "Come on everybody, let's go, rock and roll!".
I was reading somewhere on your website or in another interview that you like Stravinsky, and at the same time I was listening to Hypergeek and I had sort of the same morning/spring feeling that...
Yeah, The Rite of Spring.
Yeah, exactly. Is that a coincidence?
Yeah, probably a coincidence for this record. There's been some records in the past where I've taken some direct things from Stravinsky. I really like the idea that he was taking classical instruments from that time and doing some really forward-thinking music with them. And a lot of his stuff ended up being really heavy as well. I really like that kind of approach and... I'm definitely not in his league by any stretch of the imagination, but I like to think that I take a current style and throw a monkey wrench in there somewhere.
I think that you are doing the same thing, taking the instruments of today and pushing the music into the future.
That's what I like to hope. But how many people would agree with that...
Quite a few I think...
But they've all kind of bought my records so...
So you know how many there are.
I don't know. I think there are maybe over 200 and that's enough for the time being.
You are too modest. How was it to work with Steve Vai again? Do you still keep in touch?
Oh yeah, Steve's a great friend and I really like him. He's a great guitarplayer and it was a real honour to have him on the record. You know, I spent a lot of years kind of coming away from the Vai project. Needing to shake it off to a certain extent and now that I've done that, I feel really confident that my relationship with him is cool. And there's a good chance that in the future we'll be doing a lot together so, I'm looking forward to it.
Yeah, you were going to sing on his next record, right?
I hope so. We'll see.
Does it come easy to you to write music? I mean, for some people the music writes itself and others have to fight with it.
No, it comes easy. I mean, it takes effort and it takes time. But you know, I feel pretty guided, so the music kind of appears in way that feels pretty natural.
Ok. Are you religious in any way?
I'm spiritual. I believe in infinity, the yin and the yang, the power of the spirit, you know, the connection to the infinite, that's being an intricate part of to the human condition. But I can't necessarily say Jesus or Allah or Buddha or, you know, God or Satan even...
But there's something out there?
Yeah, oh yeah. Whatever it is, whatever is out there is giving me a lot of music, whether or not it's happy nice beautiful music or hideous black blasphmeous music, it all kind of comes from the same place, so there's something that tells me that it's connected in a way. But it's like, somebody asked me the other day if I believed in reincarnation and well... Not yet!
The Devin Townsend Band, is that 100% your band, your music, or do the others write something too?
Not really. I mean, it's pretty much me in that band, but it's a bunch of good guys that interprete it in creative ways and as a result of that it's cool to have them along. But yeah, in order to make that band go, a lot of the pressure is on me and in order to make it a reality I just phone them when it's time to go. The drummer tends to do a lot to help out in that band which is really helpful so... thanks Ryan.
So is there going to be a tour to support Synchestra?
Yeah, we are going out next month with Opeth in America. [UPDATE: ]
Ooh, I want to be there!
Yeah, haha. And then we are coming to Europe hopefully for april and may.
Do you have any idea what kind of music you will make after Synchestra? Are you going back to Strapping Young Lad?
Yeah, I'll be doing some Strapping Young Lad, I'll be doing some Devin Townsend Band. The next couple of years the music will be a little different, I think.
Different how?
A little shorter, a little more to the point, a little less explorative, a little more based in getting the job done. Trying to figure out what the job is about.
Do you read the reviews when you put out new cds?
Begrudgingly. I'll go on the internet and there'll be a link to a review and I'll be like "Oh fuck! Oh, okay..." and sometimes I'll read it and sometimes it's like "Oh, that wasn't bad" and other times it'll be like "Damn, that hurts!". But at the end of the day I'm doing it for a reason other than the reviews.
Yeah, but it's still your baby?
Yeah totally. It's like having a baby and then seeing a bunch of reviews saying "Well, the baby is okay but fuck, he's got a big-assed nose, the hair's all fuckin' thick and fucked up looking and he's got wobbly knees" and I know, I really do know. I know the faults and flaws of my music a lot of the time, so a lot of the time, the reviews just confirm that and it's like "Yeah, I know, I know, I know...".
Do you know the Danish band DAD? I think you mentioned it somewhere on the website?
Yeah, Disneyland After Dark. Yeah, I've known them for years. With the big olive-bass.
Yeah. How does your voice handle touring with Strapping Young Lad and I saw that The Devin Townsend Band was warming up sometimes?
That recently brought my marihuana-intake down to a bare, bare minimum from a massive, massive maximum for the past 10 years. So as a result of that, my voice is doing great! Laaaaaahh! [sings a high note]
Haha. So you never have problems with losing your voice?
No. I mean, I do an hours worth of warm-up before each show and that kind of puts it in a good position.
Ok. Did you take any lessons in singing?
Oh yeah, I've taken lessons. For years I've been doing that. You know, after a certain amount of years, you know what you can and can't do.
How do you write music? How do you sit down and get the music on tape?
Well, the songs tend to come into my head. I'll be cleaning up the bathroom or whatever and all of a sudden ... bum didilium bum didili weeeeh [sings riff] and it just keeps looping! Loop, loop, loop, loop. And after a while, the loops build on themselves and then I've got parts and after a while I've got a whole bunch of parts and then when I get a theme, I'm like "Oh, well, that part and that part and that part there. There's a record!".
So you don't forget anything you hear in your head?
Oh, I do forget it. But if I forget it, it's usually not very good.
Has music always been so important for you? Did you grow up with music around you?
Oh yeah, totally. It's definitely superimportant, but the intention is not... I mean, I'm just a musician, that's what I am. I think music, I was born with music and there it is, right? And I think that as a result of that it's so inevitable that... It's like taking a shit, or breathing, to a certain extent. "Oh, there's a song. Oh, there's a record. Oh, there's a ... you know, let's perform. Oh, here's me singing. Oh, here's me playing guitar." This is really natural and part of my life, so I guess it is superimportant. And also very normal for me.
Do you have any classical musical training? Like composing or...?
Yeah, I played classical instruments for a long time and I had a bunch of music theory classes under my belt and lots of guitar lessons. I did the Steve Vai thing and that showed me a lot about production and touring and singing and all that so there's been lots and lots of guidance for me.
What do you listen to these days?
Phew, what do I listen to? Meditational music. Because I have no time to sleep or to relax. But luckily, where I work, the studio, is about 40 minutes away from my house, so that gives me 40 minutes to listen to music in my car. So I'll just put on sounds of people making meditational music and I'll just drive around with that and that kind of allows me to settle myself while I'm working.
Man, you've got to take care of yourself! Sleep is a good thing!
Yeah, it is. Well, I've gotta do what I've gotta do.
Are there any musicians you look up to? Bands, musicians?
Yeah. In terms of metal: Opeth, Meshuggah, those are basically the two that I really... Meshuggah specifically. Those guys are fucking awesome! They blow my mind! Uhm, I like Mastodon, I think they are good. I'm a real fan of music in general, so there's always something that comes on that I like. But I don't have many idols, I guess, I mean, there's nobody where it's like [in a silly voice] "When I grow up, I want to be like...Justin Timberlake" or whatever. I like a song here and there and I'll be into it, but I usually concern myself so much with my music that I don't have too much time to think about too many other people's music.
When you look back at your music, can you see a path? Can you see where you are going musically? What kind of music are you going to write in 10-20 years?
I have no idea! Not a clue! If somebody had asked me two years ago what kind of music I'd be doing now, I'd probably wouldn't have guessed... you know Synchestra, Alien, The hummer... So, I'm just going to follow it where it leads and hopefully it's work out.
But if you look back on the music you've written , can you see any connection...?
Oh yeah, it all makes perfect sense... like eerie sense. But again, I can't really think about that, I just have to keep making it. And hope that it all works out in the end.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Life, I think, just everyday... bullshit. I'll get mad at somebody and then pick up my guitar and go WAAAAAAAHHHH! Or I'll be all happy and pick up my guitar and go lalalalala. Really, it's like my outlet because emotionally I'm a little closed in terms of how I deal with people. There's a lot of times where I won't just tell some people to fuck off, or shove it up their ass, right? I'll go like [silly voice] "Okay, sure, alright!". And then I'll go home and I'll pick up my guitar and I'll go "Fuck off! Shove it up your ass!". Or.. I'll want to tell somebody that... "Man, you mean so much to me", and everything is so cool but I won't say it. I'll go home and pick up the guitar and go [singing] "Oh, you mean so much to me, oh." So, it's kind of my outlet and I'm happy that I've got it because it allows me to get it out of my system.
Ok. I don't have too many questions left. Do you have any last words?
I appreciate the interview. I'm looking forward to getting to Denmark with any of my projects and playing for some people there. Hopefully people will have the patience to check out Synchestra and I'll look forward to making music for people in the future.
That sounds good. I hope I'll see you here in Denmark or somewhere else.
Thanks for the interview brother and I'll talk to you soon.
Thank you. Goodbye and good luck.
Ok, thanks man. Ciao. |  |
Written by Tajs - 1/27/2006 |
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Mads Aanum (Anonymous) - Saturday, January 28, 2006 | Nice interview Tajs...
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| Comment by Pat (Anonymous) - Monday, January 30, 2006 | Nice.
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| Comment by dev (Anonymous) - Monday, April 10, 2006 | Thanks, good interview. :)
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| Comment by Pedro (Anonymous) - Friday, April 14, 2006 | Devin rulees ;) And Denmark too ;) Greeat interview... Good work!
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| Comment by Francois (Anonymous) - Tuesday, May 9, 2006 | v.good interview , thanks !
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| Comment by bloodlust (Anonymous) - Monday, July 3, 2006 | bloodlust_gore@yahoo.com
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| Comment by SYL (Anonymous) - Friday, July 7, 2006 | <3devin
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| Comment by Maggai the omniscient (Anonymous) - Sunday, September 2, 2007 | Great interview. Great. Devin is truly a master of the art that is music.
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