I am grateful to artists like you. I don’t have a creative bone in my body. At 56 years old, I have spent my corporate career solving complex problems. I am undaunted trying to solve problems that may take 12 months or more. I have no stress about that. If I was told to create something of meaning and artistic value, I would be frozen in terror. I am a problem solver and I do that happily with confidence because that is who I am. You are an artist and I see your videos as an expression of your anxieties doing what you do. I am just rambling and talking like you. Thanks for all you do!
The world needs people like you and Dev. If everyone was an artist it wouldn't be that special. I'm very impatient so I look to learn from individuals like yourself. It's a gift Im trying to understand and learn. You'll find yourself living a long time if you don't let stress eat you alive. I'm really looking forward to hearing this record
I trained academically to be a mathematician -- essentially to problem solve from all different angles. I did that in the tech industry for years and I found that my creativity was in the different routes that I could take to solve the problem. Also, problem solving is not linear as you know -- there are variables that change and different scenarios change the solution. I found creative individualism in the scenarios I came up with and ran through the problem to find a solution. What was radical about math at the uni level was the answer to the problem was worth so little of the total mark -- 99% of the mark was awarded based on how I solved the problem. I studied some of the greatest mathematicians who were also well-known philosophers, and they used philosophy as much as their mathematical minds. Anyway, in my experience, problem solving and my creativity go hand-in-hand and it's not something I would have seen if I didn't recognize myself as artist. Maybe that was easier for me because I am also an illustrator and cartoonist, and my ability to problem solve helps me with both.
Hey Devin: When is the podcast interview with Tracy going to happen? She could explain to us how to keep you alive when you're in a Music Creation mode
I know this likely won't be seen, but dude... of all the artists in Canada, especially mainland Canada... how you were not named into the order of Canada is beyond me. I'm sure you aren't too concerned one way or another. Just that of all the talentless ones they picked and having so many others to choose from... just disappointing to me given how much talent you have in your pinky finger is more than most artists across the globe. Been listening since I was a mere SYL myself and first heard "CITY" and it literally changed my life >FOREVER< you and Dime awakened me to a whole new style of music that no-one has done before OR since. You are one of a kind HD, and I hope you and yours all the best in 2024. May those who weave the fates be kind to us all.
Devin is favorite human,right after my daughter. Listening to you is very calming for me. Wishing you continued success and increased wealth,it's very much deserved. Happy New Year 🎉
I’m so excited for The Moth. Whatever form it ends up taking, I’m sure it will be amazing. When my friends and I discuss the struggles of making our own respective music projects, we often bring up the things you say. You’re a beacon of creativity and perseverance to all of us small artists
On the being too self-conscious of the creation process, and "not wanting" that which you truly want - it's quite like addiction. Especially if you've a history with anything that gives you a rush. When you get into that creative flow, you just gotta accept it, ride the wave, don't fight it, don't think - just be. Just like being drunk or high. So if you're trying to avoid addiction, it could make the riding of the wave harder when being creative, or meditating. Great to hear your thoughts Dev, you are an inspiration to so many of us. Thanks for being you.
Zappa seemed to flow endless lyrics that worked, through confidence. Just a thought. Rhyming doesn't have to be a cringe process, if one bares their nature.
I start my new job on January 8th, I am now a window salesman and a musician on the side. I hate the “Wo is me” but I’m working hard on my life creatively as well as the struggles financially. One day It will prevail though and that day I know will be in 2024, I just wanted to say thanks again (as I do on most your updates) for all of your content Devy. I relate to it on many levels even though we are on different planes career wise, your experiences and words mean a lot to the world. I know there isn’t much in the way of original stuff on my RU-vid but please, keep an eye out as things will happen in 2024. The usual, like, subscribe blah blah blah. If not that’s ok too, I hope you hear my work when it’s released ❤️
Each one of these serves to make me feel a little more normal in all the struggles of my creative work, as well asmore excited for the cool stuff you have going on. I hope you keep getting to do cool stuff for many years still.
The level of self-scrutiny and perfectionism probably result in multiple albums worth of material on the cutting room floor that most bands/artists would die for, not only that, you can guarantee that fans or listeners of Devin's work would love a lot of it too, it's a shame it'll never get heard.
One of my favorite quotes from James Hetfield with regard to lyrics "if you write about something personal, then it can't be wrong" (more or less). I've found that my lyric-writing (which I used to loathe) drastically improved when I gave up trying to rhyme or fit things together a certain way that didn't feel natural.
Thanks for being such an open, honest and transparent musician & person. I hope you have a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous 2024 with your family and friends!
There's like 100's of thing for which I am grateful, you and the opportunity to experience your craft is high on that list! How lucky are we!! Even the parameters, time/place/existence/etc - that I get to experience The Devs... feels almost unfair for the primates before our time! I get easily bored when listening to music - after all this time, never been bored with Devs. Like the post below, Devs is definitely my fave genre!
Happy new year, Devin! Thank you for giving us this peek into the journal of your creativity. So wonderful to have access to this, and hear your thoughts on creating music, foibles and all. As Oscar Wilde once wrote - We are all of us in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. The bravery of art comes from being able to look past your insecurities, and say this needs to be in the world. 🙏🏻🫶🏻🤘🏻
Happy New Year! On your comments about the worry of offending people. The fact that someone listened enough to form any opinion, good bad, or indifferent, means that you are doing it right. Music is ment to be heard, what happens after the electrical impulses are converted to sound is out of you hands. The real reward is that someone is there to receive it. It reminds me of the tree falling in the woods thing. Your tree has fallen and we definitely know, because we hear you! Looking forward to hearing and seeing what you have in store for us in 2024 and beyond. 👍🏼
Good on your Grandpa for encouraging you to use your voice because that could have went either way. I knew a Guy, Tim, who was unbelievably mind-boggling fantastic on the guitar, but he was painfully and excruciatingly, shy. People would hear him play on a jam night of course, after he had a few drinks, other than that, he would never never get up there, and people would just be paralyzed in oh my God like a room full of robots, just frozen in time because he was that good but there was nothing we could do or say to get him to go mainstream. I often think of Tim and I always wondered if he ever came out of his shell but damn when he was up there on stage I know he was feeling it himself, and I have to be content with that. Congratulations on your business venture. How exciting for you!! That’s a huge deal 😊 Happy new year 🥂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, which I know many of us can relate to. Childhood shapes all of us. We are all foolish students until we learn to appreciate the lessons that gift us growth. Never give up on thriving. We all deserve to thrive and be fulfilled.
All I could think about in the end of the video. You’re an artist like Da Vinci but with music. And apparently with art, in a whole circle and wide angle lens. I’m thinking about the music covers that your creates. When I listen through an album with devin I always finds myself studying the covers meanwhile listening to it. Analysis em. The one that has stuck with me, is broken crayons in Red, Green and Blue. The coloring pallets and out of frustration, a feeling in its entirely, it’s snapped. I can’t put my finger on it why i love it so much. All the endless creativity you can do with rgb is endless. the crayon pen are used up eventually. You know those artist that comes every each five hundred years and makes such a giant impact it last forever. My personal view on devin is this. A creative mind that only comes each five hundred years or so and make’s unbelievable things. Whatever comes out. It’s goddamn electric. This is amazing. You. Just ducking sitting there. With us. Frog fans. It’s great! No need for bling flashy things.
All the updates of the year were simply wonderful, but for personal reasons this one is absolutely essential. Essential for my "career" right now, or I dare to say for my life, my brain is right now full of creative bubbles ready to explode, this podcast was the perfect catalyst. I wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year, a big hug from Buenos Aires!!!
You can't imagine how much your music improves my creativity; it's a boost, creating a meditative space in my mind that allows me to focus on my creations. Thank you for being such an absolutely amazing artist! I am grateful to you! Happy New Year, Devin!
I hesitate to comment on these videos, but here we go. Thank you, your honesty is amazing. I heard your voice the first time with the album with Vai. And was blown away.,Then heard your stuff with DVP, then went backwards to Strapping. You are an inspiring person. I would put you up there with zappa, and Vai. Thats no to blow smoke, just how I see it. Again, Thank you I personally appreciate your artistic work, oh forgot to mention Casualties of coolio, just dig it.
Fuck the thumbnails Dev, you know we’ll be here watching regardless. These raw updates have resonated way more with me than any scripted algorithm chasing video could. Appreciate ya mate!!
This is always nice to hear these updates. It inspires me to keep up on my own musical projects and believe in myself a little bit. I'm not a successful musician, but I can write good songs if I put the work into it. I like how Devin said to "unearth" it, which means putting in the effort. I can relate to that since I'm still a dirty landscaper at age 50 here in Washington state. I have some of the best musicians I could ask for out here on the peninsula that are backing me up on a cool project. Managing time and having patience are key elements since we're all spread so thin with life's demands. Can't wait to see what Dev has in store in the days/weeks/months to come. 💫
Okay, just don't undervalue this. You're absolutely onto something. Maybe all we can do is be an active participant in what is happening. You can guide yourself a bit, but you're in the flow.
I'm right there with you regarding the youtube thumbnails! I've been watching a ton of videos on woodworking and how to soundproof a room and I'm flat sick of everyone's thumbnails!! Thanks for these updates, I really enjoy listening to them. It's forcing me to examine my own creative process, or rather current huge lack thereof, and it's keeping me hopeful that I'll reignite the creative fires. Thanks for giving us all such a detailed look at your own process!
Merry Christmas and all that, and such and this. But Dev, I get your struggles with writing lyrics; am I too direct, am I too vague, does this fit the overall themes I intend with my music as a whole, etc. But hey, I have a tiny little wimpy tip for you. If we sort lyrics into two categories, we have lyrics which seek to invoke familiarity tied to a message, and we have lyrics which teaches and inspires. While lyrics contains a lot of words, it's so easy to fall into the trap to think lyrics should say something. But they can also paint something, for example thoughts, or feelings, in the mind of the listener - sometimes thoughts and feelings one haven't had before, and so, by definition, IS inspiration. It's inspiration in its archetypal form, if you will. You've written such lyrics many times before, but to name an example is your song Sprite. While it does mention octopuses in the garden, a direct reference to things if you will, the rest of the song paints so many other themes, that heartbroken octopus in the garden is no octopus to me personally. It's my own childhood toy excavator in the garden, because that's what the lyrics paired with the instrumentals inspires my mind to think of. In other words, Sprite inspires my mind to partake, if you will, in the song's orchestra of themes. Food for thought, perhaps. Or meaningless drivel. I am sincerely looking forward to what The Moth will produce. And I love you.
Thanks for these updates. Very interesting. And I can relate very often with stuff you’re saying. All this inner monologue stuff for example. Feels good to know, im not alone:)
Hey Devin, I do so love our chats!! Everything you said/say resonates with this ageing rocker... never quite made the grade but still churning it out for fun all the same... much to my fam's chagrin!! Happy New Year to you and yours, sounds like it will be fun!! 😎✌🙏
Thank you Dev for all you do. The journey I've taken with your music has brought me through some of the most tumultuous times of my life. I'm about a year separated from a long string of abusive situations and still battling my demons but things are better now. Seeing your journey and having these fireside chats gives me hope that things will continue to get better. Listening to your music and learning about your story has been a huge inspiration for me. Thank you for opening yourself up to us like this and giving us such an intimate view of your creative process. Hearing you talk about it gives me hope and insight into my own while I'm learning new things and trying to reconcile with the old. I know you've mentioned DreamPeace a couple of times and hope it helps your listeners. Well, I can tell tell you it's helped me. When you first came out with it, I listened to all of the albums but Space Oyster in particular to sleep or calm down from an episode. Even tonight, here I am. Knowing that others like me are in the world making it work every day keeps me grounded in knowing I can and will too. Thank you for sharing your talent, music, and soul with us 💕🤘🏻
It's funny how he said in an interview that he does not like to sing. To me, that does not shine through at all 🤔 As an amateursinger (his age) I love to sing, but I don't like my sound always 🙈 Maybe that is why I fell in love with classical singing in my 30's, cause it makes you change your sound to a certain extent. 🤓 Anyways, I have seen Devin in a few concerts, and he is always great. Funny too (If I can hear / grasp what he is saying, that is), in Finland I heard a fart sound during a break 😅 Greets from Norway 🇧🇻🥳
Feel totally the same about my old music, I hear some things and really don't know how I came with those cool ideas, obviously my talent level is years away yours Devin, but I guess every one in his creative niche faces similar struggles. But I think your sincerity so wide open about the process, being an artist I admire is therapeutic in some way. Take much care. Cheers and happy new year!.
I actually gave up writing and producing music for that reason, I had created tracks 20 years or so ago that I had no idea of how I did them, almost as if they didn't belong to me, I tried for many years to recreate something like it but it always felt like a pale imitation. I'd developed new mixing techniques that meant the new tracks sounded more polished, but they were always missing the imagination or feeling of the old stuff. But all those mopey misery noises aside, have a wonderful new year Rego. :)
The student asked the Zen Master"Master, What is the answer to attaining true enlightenment?" The Master asks "Have you eaten lunch?" "Yes." said the student. The Zen Master quickly says "Then wash your bowl." If Frank Zappa were alive today, he would say "Shut up and write". You are getting in your own way. I am not going to sit here and blow smoke up your ass. You ARE one of the greats! Shut up and write what comes to you. God Bless.
Hevy Devy, don't stop ramblin, you are speaking the words we all need to hear, it does make sense to us, not even close to being nonsense. Just make sure you're not carry the team, and be a good coach
Happy new year Dev, absolutely incredible updates and is helping me in my own self analysis and struggles 🙌🤟
9 месяцев назад
Listening to these videos gives me that warm feeling of nostalgia when the internet was a friendly place and you'd read true pearls of wisdom in music forums that really resonated with your core vision of soundscaping. Thank you Devin ❤
Hi. Your words touched me very much. I listened to you with great interest. It's amazing that I feel exactly the same. Being a musician, writing, preparing and being excited. You are a great musician, and everything you said is 100% true also in my case. It's amazing. Thank you for these wonderful words!!! 🔥🖖🤟
Happy new year, Devi! I think talking about things is helpful. Explaining something to another person is showing me, if I captured everything so well that my explanation will make sense. Let me tell you about a habit I grew: I'm german. My wife was american. What you call a long distance relationship, right? So I started to think in english. In everyday life. Describing the things I see, when just driving down a street. This way, she was always with me. Kind of. This way, I learned to speak more fluently, 'cause: if I was missing a word, I was able to think about it again and again. Until I found that right word. I kept this habit.
Hey Devy, stop thinking and just do. The only things you can control are your actions, reactions, and behaviours. We cannot control these aspects of other people. Trust in yourself, your art and music and stop thinking what others will think or interpret ok! Your fans just need more, just create, release, and we’ll stick by you
Apparently you're always exactly where you're supposed to be. To that end, I believe this is it. This IS the process. A part of that is documenting it so you can inadvertently reveal the past trauma that's currently getting in the way. There's tons of realness in what you brought up about having to sing and how it left you feeling. And yeah that's totally understandable you're now playing 4D chess with your lyrics to avoid another negative experience. I'd like to hear more about those feelings, for example..... In song form. It's your musical therapy
Your honesty is compelling. Maybe try increasing your depth of field a bit, something like a full fstop so if you are sitting around 1.8 try 2.8. It may keep you from going out of focus so much. Also that hamster comment killed me.
Me: *watching* Boyfriend: *comes to look at TV* Me: What? You didn't know who it was? Boyfriend: I could smell maple syrup, I just wanted to see pancakes. 🤦🏻♀️😂😂😂
Jeez this one hit me hard. I've been stuck on lyrics and vocals for a pair of projects for years now because i keep getting in my own way. Lyrics because I'll put myself down for how i'm wording things before i've even finished the thought and by the time i get over myself the thought's gone. Vocals because i don't feel I have the audio privacy at home to be as open and vulnerable as the lyrics i do have require and i can't afford studio time to go be honest into a mic elsewhere.
Thank you for sharing this is helpful Also you are awesome. And it's no big deal And you're still awesome and make rad shit I like the idea of doing service to the song or genre or whatever.. I'm definitely stuck in some creativeendeavors, but I plug away at it anyway. I love that you share so honestly. I feel so lucky to be able to listen to this.. thank you.
It's also the process of accumulation DT, the creative juices will only flow when there's enough to get them flowing. Edit: This upload also explains (in DTs roundabout way) how songs like Frogs are nice has come into existence haha. And what DT talks about with what happens to people (around the 21 min mark) has been in Ecclesiastes 9 v 11 before anyone here was here.
Offense is taken, not given. You know the intent behind your words and that is all that matters. "People" encapsulates everyone on earth. Someone, somewhere, will ALWAYS be offended by just about anything (or worse offended on behalf of someone else). It's just the way of the world, especially in the world of social media where everyone needs to have an opinion on everything...
