At Sweetwater, we try to get to know every one of our customers personally. It turns out, some of them are a pretty big deal in the music industry. They’re also some of the coolest people we know. Do you want to meet a few of them? We thought you would. Welcome back to another Sweetwater Artist Spotlight.
We recently had a chat with guitarist, vocalist, producer, and all around good guy Devin Townsend. Here’s what he had to say about inspiration, the crazy heavy metal life, and some of his favorite gear.
SW: Has there ever been a point in your life where you lost your interest in playing? If so, what did you do to rekindle your passion for it?
DT: I think this is an occupational hazard all around. Your life is the raw materials for creating your work, and some periods are more or less demanding than others, and often, more or less interesting. However: I firmly believe that if you are uninspired to write, the solution is simply to get other aspects of your life together — the creative flow works in its own time, and to rush it is usually a bad move.
SW: What has driven your change in guitars over the years?
DT: I am the type of person who follows a quite singular vision in every aspect of my life. Professionally and otherwise, my goals throughout my life are relatively constant. That said, I find myself utilizing new tools constantly to try and refine any remaining doubts I may have about the equipment I use, which often leads me down rabbit holes. The good news is: I can safely acquire my “sound” from almost anything, so it ultimately comes down to which companies I have the most fruitful relationships with. As grand as any of this appears, it’s ultimately just human relationships, and those need to be maintained and sometimes need to change.
SW: How would Ziltoid describe the perfect life mate?
DT: Quiet, Spiritual, subtle, monogamous and filthy.
SW: What do you look for in a producer/studio when choosing where to record?
DT: A lot of it requires “stoking the furnace” at this stage of my game. Typically, it is based in the practical needs of my work, but increasingly, aesthetics and location of a studio can be very inspiring. In terms of people, I want engineers who don’t “guess” and producers who have a track record that I appreciate.
SW: Other than your main rig, what’s a must-have piece of gear to keep on the road?
DT: Line6 Amplifi75. It sits on the couch in the bus, and everyone takes turns linking their phones to it via Bluetooth. It plays music constantly and is a brilliant piece of gear. Looks good and is tough. When I get into my dressing room during the day, I usually only ask for that, food, and a yoga mat. It gets more use than anything else out here, as a stereo alone, let alone a cool practice amp.
SW: How much writing happens on the road?
DT: Less than I used to. My life habits have changed by necessity recently (getting older) so between exercise, meditation, eating, interviews, and all the basic parts of surviving on the road, I don’t often have time to write. However, I’m pretty adept at compartmentalizing my creativity, so when I get home, the ideas are rarely lost.
SW: What are each of your pre-show warm-ups/rituals?
DT: Hydration, quiet, and 45 minutes of vocal warm-ups.
SW: What defines a “successful” DT performance?
DT: The mechanism I employ when I speak to the audience is rooted in “not premeditating anything” and if my voice is healthy, and I’ve had enough sleep, that can be a relatively engaging experience for myself and the audience. However, if the pieces don’t line up, that same mechanism can result in some pretty inane blathering. I spend a fair amount of time both keeping my fingers crossed and not worrying about it, frankly…
SW: What defines a “successful” DT record?
DT: If I can find a way through the art, production, words and sound to successfully articulate to my audience an accurate version of the emotions I was participating in when the material was written, but do it in a way that is vague enough to apply to other people’s experiences, while still being something emotionally significant to me, I’m usually happy. Great sound is just as important though. Sometimes it’s elusive depending on the trajectory of my creative vision, and I can spoil it if I’m not careful.
SW: What piece of music advice forever changed your way of thinking?
DT: Forgive yourself.
SW: Is there a piece of gear that’s had a big impact on your life?
DT: The Roland GP100. I received one from a clinic I did in Japan in around 1994, and I stumbled onto a sound that became my signature vibe. I recreate it now with the Axe Fx (with significantly more control), but that piece changed everything for me.
SW: The music industry continues to change rapidly. What do you think will be the next evolution in the music industry?
DT: Possibly more anonymous music? I find most of what I enjoy lately is enhanced by not having too close an emotional tie with the creation of it. Even in my own world, as long as I’m able to create my visions and keep the lights on, it’s nice sometimes to play from the shadows; it establishes a new and refreshing type of purity to the listening experience, I think.
SW: What’s one piece of advice you’d give yourself 20 years ago?
DT: Start exercising and meditation. It’s a way to control free floating anxiety and gives an addictive personality healthy places to put that energy so you can be clearer in your musical intentions. Though ultimately, 20 years ago I doubt I would have listened. =)
SW: Gear that got away: What’s one piece of gear you lost or sold that you’d do anything to get back?
DT: Well maybe not do anything…but I had a top of the line Gretsch White Falcon that I got rid of because I couldn’t justify the expense that I quite missed. =)
SW: Even with your incredibly successful career, what’s still on the top of your musical bucket list?
DT: I have many ideas, I’m hoping to make space in my mind so I can articulate them without fear.
SW: What’s the first thought that comes to mind when we show you this picture?
DT: TC! You have to watch who you hang out with…guilty by association! =)
SW: What are the biggest trends in gear that excite you right now?
DT: Free coffee beans with pedal purchases!
SW: What’s your favorite online music gear retailer, and why is it Sweetwater?
DT: Because you guys pimped my ride all the way up here in Canada-land. =) Tim Holsinger has solved a lot of problems for me and the time I spent there doing lectures (speeches?) showed me in a practical way why it can be so efficient. I’m a big fan.
Bonus
Check out our interview with Devin at #GearFest 2014 ▶️
