In part two of our chat with Devin Townsend, our conversation keyed in on the overall positive vibe of Devin Townsend Project’s Transcendence (InsideOut Music). Devin goes deep talking about the current cultural zeitgeist, and going against that grain with his band from what other bands are doing. He also talked about progressive music’s more prominent seat at the table these days.
Transcendence seems to have themes of hope and positivity interlaced in the lyrics and offhand messages. We asked Devin about this.
That’s intentional. The world is in a really uptight place right now. It’s like a lot of dark, but it’s just so tired. Everywhere you go, politically or spiritually or personally, there is so much anger I’m sure. It’s not like I’m enlightened or got my shit together any better than anybody else. I’m just totally there. I’m just really frustrated right? As a result of that, I also listen to what’s going on musically and there are so many bands that are learning from people if they want it. Even Metallica’s new song (says) “We’re all fucked”. We’re so fucked. It’s all fucked. Everything. Everything is fucking brutal. Fuck it. It’s like there’s some of the bands that are way bigger and more popular than what I do that are offering that if you want, do you know what I mean? I don’t know man. It seems like there’s an army that whatever it is, that you’re putting out, it is so extreme. The world ends up resonating with it, and maybe even as an experiment, I was like let’s try something different. I tried to do something heavy and forceful, but let’s make something that is like an alternative to that fucked up sentiment that is selling right now. Shit is fucked up. I’m not trying to say it isn’t, but in saying why would you want to give up? It seems like to rationalize that thing, it doesn’t seem like what I wanted to say at the time. I think thematically there is an aspect of that, sure, in the record, but it’s more so for me lyrically, I don’t experience it. I tend to just speak whatever thoughts are going through my head hopefully in tune and then that becomes the lyrics. It’s not much more than that. I’m not a poet. I’m not trying to make a grand statement about anything. I’m just saying what’s on my mind and with melodies I guess.
It’s good to hear that positivity out there in a very bleak time in everybody’s lives.
That’s it. It’s like when I was doing some of other things, I can cut the negative shit right? People are saying wow you seem like a positive guy or you’re really … In a certain way, yes, it’s true, but it’s really a conscious decision, the sentiment in this record. I’m saying hey guys, think positive. I’m Devin Townsend and I endorse positive thinking. I’m just saying shit’s fucked up and I don’t want to sing about shit being fucked up so here is something else, but it’s not coming from a place where it has to. It’s coming from the place where we have to fight the whole time, so we might as well fight for something that is better than fuck it all, fuck it all. I don’t know.
Devin was clear to point out his issue is with music and world in general and not Metallica, whom he admires.
They’re a fucking amazing band and they’re a million times more than we’ll ever hope to be. My point is that sentiment is popular. I’m also not saying it’s wrong, I just didn’t want to do it.
In this high-water year in progressive music, with Devin’s statesmen level of respect in the progressive music community, we asked if he felt that popular taste is starting to catch up to prog after all these years? If so, he surely had a role in helping that happen.
I appreciate the compliment. I’d like to think that ultimately the significance lies in its ability to inspire other people. That sounds great. I’m always reminded of that Woody Allen quote. I don’t even know if it was Woody Allen, but if you keep showing up, eventually there will be a chair for you. I think that is more how I view whatever it is that I do. It’s not that my intention has changed over twenty-five years, but the industry gets bored so quickly. The industry is good at making you think now it’s pseudo black metal, or now it’s Meshuggah sounding stuff, or now it’s the goth stuff, or whatever. So if that pendulum swings towards what I’m doing, then hooray!
KEITH CHACHKES
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