DEVIN TOWNSEND IS KINDA FREAKING OUT LOL
You don’t need to be a world-class music journalimist to get the experience of interviewing Devin Townsend. Nay, he’s just as open, generous, and hilarious on his Twitter. And over the past five weeks, the former Strapping Young Lad frontman has documented an ongoing battle with post-production of his forthcoming Epicloud album (also starring his Devin Townsend Project crew and singer Anneke Van Giersbergen).
It seems that a record which started as a quickie between huge, work-intensive projects has somehow taken the beastly shape of a … huge, work-intensive project. And Townsend gives his followers a peek into every thrust, feint, and parry in his fight to perfect the sure-to-be-awesome jamz!
For the enjoyment of fans and non-fans alike, we’ve poached collected all of it after the jump! Cheer as a visionary musician gets the upper hand! Giggle as he unravels a bit in the face of approaching deadlines and beckoning new projects. And sigh in relief as he finally slays the Epicloud dragon. Or does he?
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We join Townsend on an early summer Saturday, when he announces and begins post-production for Epicloud‘s extra disc:
June 9
So when the Ghost album was finished, I had 12 songs that came out here and there, supposed to be Ghost 2, couldn’t convince label etc..
June 9
However, Epicloud has 12 extra songs as well, and they have agreed to let me do a digipak version that is essentially a ‘double album’ =]
June 9
The second disk wont be mixed in the same way, a bit more ‘demo-ish’ in quality, but it completes this cycle without having stragglers after.
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The following Thursday, a deadline draws near:
Still working on finalizing Epicloud… Thinking about Retinal Circus in t-minus three weeks …
But Townsend continues to contemplate the meaning of Epicloud:
June 15
… I guess that’s the theme of Epicloud: In my mind, life is a search for silence and stillness, yet it gets louder every minute. Embrace it.
June 15
Epicloud‘s disk two, Epiclouder, is frikkin awesome… The project wasn’t complete without it.
June 15
Took months to mix the first disk, went over budget, out of time etc etc. Second disk much less drama. =]
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The pace quickens. Townsend is working on a Sunday:
June 17
In the race to finish Epicloud… the ideas for [Ziltoid The Omniscient 2] are starting to take pole position … Must. Focus.
June 17
The relative simplicity of Epicloud is a perfect palate cleanser for Ziltoid 2. No holds barred symphony on that guy … ANYways … #focusyoufreak
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A little (more) help from his friends:
June 19
Three cheers for Anneke Van Giersbergen and [guitarist] Dave Young stepping up to the plate in order to finish the bonus disk of Epicloud with zero notice!
June 19
…and knocked it out of the park, they most certainly did! =]
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Townsend espies the finish line, looks ahead to new vibes:
June 20
Epicloud summarizes the [Devin Townsend Project series]. It’s the climax I think… From here it gets intense. Musically, the future is very different from this record.
June 20
Just finished the second disk. All wrapped up by Monday. This one is about songs, not parts. Soon I can start to write symphonic stuff…
June 20
Very proud of this one. =]
June 22
Eight hours of Epicloud mixing left… Everything, both disks, commentary, and art delivered on Monday. Sleep will be sweet! It sounds awesome!
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That night, so begins the freaking out lol:
June 22
Mixing Epicloud is a Grade-A pain in the neck… Hard mix. They all are, but this one was deceptively so. Ugh… be done already!!!!
June 22
…Make it perfect! =]
June 22
‘A mix is never done. You just have to abandon it at some point.’ [– George Massenburg] … So true.
June 22
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggjhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! Too much stress! Home vs work vs imperfect perfectionist!!! #nerdcollapse =]
June 23
Assembling the record now, between real-life duties. Covert creativity FTW.
June 24
Almost done…
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Or is he?
June 26
workin…workin…workin….
June 26
Ah! I think I’ve got this record cornered! Submit to me, foul carrion eater!
June 28
Yip, some days are better than others… #AndWaterIsWet
June 29
Home stretch! Wow, what a beast! Totally worth it though. The first 99 miles never count, it’s always the last one that makes or breaks it.
June 30
Ok new record, be done now… K?
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This man never stops. Late one Saturday night:
July 1
Real life is making progress slower than I like. The record is really intense. The combo of frustration and insane intensity is a trial.
July 1
So close to the finish line though… This one has such a narrow margin of being ‘correct’ vs. missing the mark in terms of mix.
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The next morning, it’s back to work:
July 1
Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canuckleheads… mixing mixing mixing… ignoring overflowing inbox… =I
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Finally, the finish line:
July 4
Ok … I think I’m done. I’ll know in the morning. Some of you will love it, some will totally hate it. I recommend you try before you buy. =]
July 5
Epicloud is done. Leaving for Sweden this morning … Getaway Festival plus working with Toontrack for an ezmix pack. Starting Retinal next…
July 5
Yup. Epicloud is done. I recommend hearing the digipak version to get the whole story. Download it or YouTube or something. An intense time here.
July 5
Wanted to make a positive statement amidst the madness. Experimented with simple formulas. Represents the summary of DTP well. Anyways…
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Yay! That’s a wrap! Um right?
July 5
That’s the last I’ll speak of [Epicloud] until it’s time to try and flog it to ya. Catching a plane… Cheerio :)
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Whew! Congratulations are in order! Townsend battled, triumphed, and is ready for the next challenge. Unless …
July 10
… Another sleepless night. Music on the mind.
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Wait a second. He doesn’t mean …
July 15
Embarrassed to say… I’m still mixing. =I
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Aw shit! lol Here we go.
July 16
Where am I? … Not only that, who am I? Such a bizarre time. Two people at once. Don’t understand my current music yet. What’s the motivations?
July 16
Need to get away from myself for awhile and think. I made a pop record. Started as irony, ended as reality. I think it’s beautiful, so odd.
Lots to think about. I’m shocked by how much my psyche leads and I follow. Through Alien and Epicloud and Infinity. Do I not know myself?
July 16
…Talk in a few days. =]
July 17
Sweet. Several hours of phase aligning overhead tracks in my dreams. Nice.
July 17
“There are only two things to remember. Number one… Don’t stop, and number two… Keep going!” — Frank Zappa
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Well, that brings us up to date on the epic clash of Devin Townsend vs. his own album! Will he nail Epicloud‘s mix in time for its September 18 release? Will he perform upcoming concerts with one hand on a mixing desk just off stage? Will he show up at your house and start tweaking your stereo’s EQ? Stay tuned to @DvnTownsend to find out!
-ADF
