DEVIN TOWNSEND PODCAST #14: Ghost

[@akrocanth]

The songs Feather and Ghost hurt so much to listen to, but they were so special. I had been a Devin fan for years by that point but my life drastically changed during the Addicted-Ghost period, and the 4 initial DTP albums were really, really meaningful for me. In Summer 2010 I lost the most important person in my life, then in Summer 2011 I moved and tried to start over again. Basically I moved into my new place the week this album came out and Ghost sort of encompassed that entire struggle and pain and excitement all at once. On a side note I wrote to Devin through a private message in the Fall of 2010, just thank him for Addicted and especially Ih-Ah, and tell him what I was going through. Didn't think he'd respond or even read it, but to my surprise he wrote back and told me a little about his views on inspiration and song writing, and gave me some encouragement. It meant a ton to me then and it still does, 10 years later. Thanks for these albums and for being such a special musician.

[@timcantrell3313]

Devin, this album got me through waiting for my daughter's heart transplant in 2014. This album alone was the soundtrack to my life as my family fought everyday for 10 months while my 3 year old daughter was prisoner in the hospital.

[@iffret]

Can't count how many times I've fallen asleep to this album. Puts me in a state of bliss!

[@howardhavardramberg333]

You and me both man!

[@user-lz7fn9ho3c]

Me too!!!

[@jonswan12]

Me too. I dont think I've ever made it to kawaii

[@chapeudealuminio4866]

Count me in, too

[@Froggeth81]

Same man, most of last year I put this on to send me to sleep. Never failed. Listened to it so much that it messed up my Spotify Year Wrapped for 2020 and the top songs were almost all from this one album alone haha

[@snail415]

Returned to say that my children (11 and 14) regard Ghost the way I would regard Disney classics or Mr Rogers. It’s a part of them, and it snaps us to a golden time we want, and need.

[@naegrant4722]

Ghost got me through my final year of university and still calms me whenever I hear it. I'm glad we got to see this side of Devy.

[@bakalaudia5620]

It's been one of my main sources of comfort and peace for almost 2 years now

[@tylerjacobson8012]

The Devin Townsend psychology hour. It’s crazy how consistently compelling this is even though most of it is just meandering thoughts on the artistic process and the psychology behind that. Puzzle has me pumped. Ready to be taken on another journey. Empath was such a triumph that I’m so curious to see how you follow something like that up. Stay Awesome Dev!!!

[@Prophias]

I can't stress this enough... Don't stop talking, creating, living.

[@matthewliesemer3511]

Please write a book Mr. Townsend. I would buy 6 and give them all to my loved ones. You are wise and brilliant, the world could use some of that

[@snail415]

Devin’s comments at 12:30-13:00 hit me like a train. Wanting to help others these days seems to almost be a cultural trap; it can ultimately be you trying to subconsciously help yourself (through self-validation). Be it your parents, siblings, neighbors, co-workers...my hat’s off to anyone who has spoken to another without judging or being judged. Don’t want to mask-up? Get vaccinated? Home-school? Leave your home? Leave your room? Let the opinions fly, and let the music reveal the truth (because it always does). No matter the side of the coin you’re on with any personal topic, what you overtly say (with best of intentions) is probably doing the very opposite of that original intent. I’m still learning how to listen. My blind hope is that by listening, others I encounter will consider doing the same. Either way....coffee! Thanks Devin.

[@Dennis19901]

That's the entire premise of virtue signaling which we can see all over nowadays. People decide for others who is offended and try to fix a problem that's not even there. All for the purpose of convincing themselves they did something good.

[@SellyJr]

It's a very hard shell to come out of once you lock it away. Growing up as a boy, it was almost taboo to be seen crying or whatever... Boys weren't supposed to be sad, or affectionate or whatever. Coupling being an emotional boy with a condition that made you an extremely easy target for bullying at school, and then picked on further for being emotional about being targeted. Now I'm an adult that kind of involuntarily bottles everything up, issues with severe depression and anxiety with an almost completely nihilistic outlook on things, and totally incapable of releasing or showing I was in this pain. So now that jsut manifests as chest pain. And my only coping mechanism for all these years now that I am 30 has been music. Mostly metal. And until recently, because until a few years ago, I was blissfully ignorant to a lot of artist names (purely out of bad memory and forgetfulness), I had no idea that in various shapes and forms, your work has been with me every step of the way. And I just wanted to say that, after hearing all these podcasts up to this point, I feel compelled to say thank you for choosing to share all of this with us. I think, without metal, I would not even be able to write 10 words of any of what I've said here. It's not just noise people seem to stereotype it to be, to me it's a more intense release of emotion, and energy, channeled in so many different ways. Throughout the several suidical bouts I've had, even then metal has been a key part of keeping myself around. (There's a lyric in a song that says "The language of music cannot be spoken in Death" (The Funerary Dirge of the Violinist by Carach Angren, if it so interests any of you.)). And Metal has also helped me be able to go out and get help, and better be able to articulate my feelings to professionals and whatever. I am not sure if I am just being crazy or what, but there's a certain uncomfortable-ness in the way you spoke in some of these podcasts, and me hearing that was sort of reassuring to me, in a "oh wow...this sounds truly genuine" sort of way. This is coming from someone that still has extreme difficuly in believing others. You have a wonderful gift with music and words, and you choose to share it with so many people, and use your experiences to try and help others. "Thank you" just doesn't express my gratitude enough for all that you do. And through these podcasts, I've found so much inspiration to even try and pick up guitar myself. I hadn't even heard of Ocean Machine until 3 weeks ago when I randomly stumbled across this podcast series, went and listened to it and my immediate reaction after listening was "Why the heck did I not hear of this before? this is amazing!". (I also realise through the podcast that a lot of trouble went into getting that album released, but I think me and a whole load of people would join me in saying thank you for going to the great lengths that you went to to get that album released!), and now I'm finding myself in this whole sea of your work, it's like I've stumbled across a picture in colour in an otherwise black and white world... I know you probably wont read this, but... I felt so compelled to write to try and express my gratitude and appreciation for the work that you do, and all these talks have made me feel so much less alone in how I've been feeling. Thanks Dev

[@Codename-B]

This album and Ki have been THE most influential in my playing and approach to create music. Thank YOU for that. I love you dude.

[@jaytoz667]

have you heard Casualties of Cool? 👍🎶

[@Codename-B]

@@jaytoz667 Yeap I've even listened to the whole Devlab 5 times.

[@jaredmulconry]

These moments of interaction, if nothing else, serve as a canary in a coal mine. You clearly have tethers in your world, and those are vital to your balance, as they are for all of us. Purely from the perspective of your commitment and, to less of a degree, your obligation to the audience, these little check-ins on Twitter or as part of the podcasts, reassure us that you haven't single-mindledly ventured up your own back passage. The frequency of these podcasts is as it should be and every one is as it should be. The podcasts have helped me catch up and get a picture of where your life has led you, such that I now recognise that you are, at least for Empath and this current project, letting your work speak from an honest place. I intend to continue to support your work, to allow you to keep doing this, because your work has helped me take meaningful steps to improve myself. You do you, man. Respect yourself.

[@bottlemanic]

I think Ghost has to be my favourite Dev record. It blew my doors wide open and I have many good memories associated with it's beauty

[@whatsinyourglass646]

I love how infrequent these are. Keeps me from binging them. Also give something to look forward to and be surprised and excited when one comes out. I own a sewing shop and I’m the only person there. And the in sight and almost therapeutic way you break down your albums well also mixing in what’s going on in the present day keeps my mind engaged and entertain by going back and revisiting every album in a different light. These are a high light to me when they come out. Thank you for give us not just another distraction or product in these tough times. But something to look forward to and to keep us engaged.

[@crusty_the_alpaca]

I think music speaks to you when you’re emotionally (mentally?) ready to hear it. That’s been my experience with your music Dev. Thanks man.

[@snail415]

Interesting perspective. For someone who (has/had) a traveling job, I always sought to listen to new music on flights or on the road. Fortunately I’ve been able to travel abroad, so new music really amplified the experience of a new place. Whatever I saw or heard (maybe even smelled) during that trip just melded into that initial listen. Earbuds FTW... It didn’t define my perception of the album in question, but it imprinted the colors and places at that time whenever I hear it again. So I suppose the emotions are divorced, yet there all at once. I listened to Empath on a long night flight home once it was released. Big mistake lol. 😭😂

[@georgesears2916]

I listened to Ghost a lot during my finals. I'd just like to say thank you for holding me together. I have seen you live quite a few times and I like what you got!

[@educostanzo]

Can we get the Puzzle episode being about Ghost then? I love how excited about the Puzzle he is, and I'm crazy to hear it, but at the same time I'm frustrated, because I love Ghost so much, I was hoping to get more in depth information about. Deconstruction was always a big questiomark for me, so I was excited to know more too, but we got like 15min.

[@waspshot23]

First time I listened to Ghost was so profoundly relaxing at a time I needed it, it's my go-to chillout sound.

[@64wy4x8s]

I really wish he talked more about Ghost

[@elbromas8032]

One of my favorite “outside the box” albums Devin made like The Hummer. But I wished he spent more time discussing Ghost

[@solarwinds5114]

The most beautiful album I've ever heard

[@sealtheirlid4760]

Ghost is one of the turns in your career that made a huge impact on me as a person. Looking forward to more mellow!

[@Megawatt]

The Puzzle Podcast, with a brief cameo by Ghost.

[@photoguy4212]

I can’t count how many times I’ve listened to this album and bawled my eyes out. It’s an absolute aural masterpiece and my all time favorite. Unlike anything that I’ve ever heard.

[@Keikoateme]

I really had hoped that your early quarantine concerts, the songs, the podcasts... I had hoped that they were a source of comfort for you as well as for your audience. But I'm glad you were ultimately able to re-evaluate your needs and realize that you needed more self-care. You coming to terms with how much you needed to care for yourself, and writing The Puzzle being a source for your own comfort, is so wonderful to hear. I hope you only continue to thrive and understand yourself as you continue to produce your music.

[@ddave0822]

Ghost got me through college and helps me sleep more nights than not. It’s one of my favorite albums of all time and I’ve never found anything else quite like it. Thank you for this album Devy. Infinite love

[@AshyGr33n]

1:00:40 I've been wondering how long it would take Devy to realize that :D

[@gordanlazinica]

Can't believe it's been ten years already from these records. I remember listening to them back in 2011 non-stop. It still feels like they came out yesterday.

[@o-REDBEARD-o]

Always great to see Devin pop up in the subscription box. Cant wait to hear Puzzle!!! I have really fallen in love with The Hummer recently and I am really looking forward to the experience dude.

[@thegreatgambeeno]

Every time you do these podcasts, you blow my mind out of my head in the best ways and completely shit on my old ways and mindset in the way I need. Thank you for all the inspiration, you help make us better humans.

[@jerr681]

It means a lot to be able to have someone talk about life in such an exposed facet, and this was a definite great experience. Life has so many ebbs and flows for us all, Devin, and what it's all about, at it's core, I think anyhoo, is just doing the best you can with the time you have, and serving in your best way, as you can spitlritually "afford". We do what we can with what we have, and we do what we can to keep our existence positive, but we all will experience the darkness. "We find the narrative", as you said, and we learn how best to evolve, how our randomly suit our individual situations best. All we should be expected to do, is what we can give with genuine truth and compassion. As they say: Game recognize game... Truth begets truth... Logic sustains logic... Darkness reflects light; Light creates darkness... Keep giving, Devin, I feel like it helps you as much as it helps us. THANK YOU!!! Accountability is indeed key: We are inherently responsible for our Neighbor. My three greatest influences in life and why: 1. Fred Rogers: For the gift of truthful love through curiosity, empathy, and understanding. 2. David Lynch: "Kindness can be as abstract as insanity". 3. Dimebag Darrell (Guitarist).: "Music drives you; It wakes you up, it gets you pumping, and, at the end of the day, the correct tune will chill you down."

[@gmorkins6006]

Album means a lot to me, I was super struggling with severe OCD and finally decided to see a psych, this was the soundtrack to me starting to get control over it. Much love Dev.

[@judemiller]

12:57 So, so true. I've been coming to terms with my own limitations this year, and especially these last few months. I heard Russell Brand say something equally comforting and frightening in a video about helping relatives through addiction: you are not god. I'm trying to internalize that. We have got to let ourselves off the hook. We hold ourselves hostage to these feelings of responsibility towards things we have zero power over, and it drains us into husks. We are not gods. We're people.

[@JeffHendricks]

One of my favorite albums you've done. Can't wait to see what's next!

[@HonourEtVeritas]

This series is becoming increasingly more reminiscent of Alan Watts and I love it! 😁

[@VelvetKovorkian]

As much as I enjoyed the first half of this series, they have turned into a 60 minute add for Puzzle and a 30 minute podcast for an older album. How about we wait for the Puzzle album before we do the podcast for it.

[@fd2267fg]

Seriously

[@Hyperlink1337]

eh ghost isnt even that great of an album

[@leafsfaninmtl9653]

Devin man...you are either the most humble and amazing person ever or you may not realize the impact you have had on so many of us. Especially during this pandemic. From the cameos, quarantine shows, podcasts and even your last cple albums. They are just so fucking inspiring to push forward. I have found your thought process on life and how to maintain a healthy frame of mind is just so fresh. You have done so much good raising money for hospitals and finding ways to reach out to us even though you are a but uncomfortable doing so. It hurts to hear you forget to take care of you while simultaneously trying to help everyone else. Please dont forget about you. Take care devin you are so amazing dude and I hope you continue this career forever and ever. You are immortal sir

[@jasonmiller1967]

Bless you, Dev, for sharing with us all. It means the world.

[@evilnudibranch]

Much love to everyone

[@connermcgoat7594]

Everything we put out comes back to us, Much love In return

[@alphamonkey1234]

He was talking about Ghost the whole time to me. His perspective on everything is exactly the perspective ghost gives me

[@RPTS81]

Thanks Devin! Looking forward to 'the puzzle'.

[@AstraVex]

My absolute favourite album to go hiking with :)

[@christorb]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make these podcasts Dev. You've been part of the soundtrack to my life for around 20 years now. Very interested to hear these next two records

[@Snick216]

Still waiting for that song from you when you mentioned about being 80yo in your PJs jamming about whatever. Thanks for being an anchor of little sparks in my voided days of youth.

[@willemkilian9563]

Thanks for the podcasts. Looking forward to your new material as well!

[@fd2267fg]

If you're interested in hearing about Ghost, he doesn't start talking about it until around 61:00 into the episode. The rest is about Puzzle... again... not that it's not interesting but I wish I'd have had this disclaimer before listening to that hour.

[@tchildres]

Devin , great listen man, been following you since 2002 w Strapping. Can't wait to hear this meaningful peace of Music

[@noahsarcade5426]

Something about Infinite Ocean that takes me to another place. Love it

[@lord_haven1114]

You are amazing. Thank you so much for just being and doing you. It really brightens my day whenever I think that people like yourself and your music exist.

[@ChazinFl1]

Hey Dev!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!

[@sceptict]

Thank you Devin for your wise words. Much love !

[@intraterrestrial5035]

Will check this after work, but just wanna post that this album feels borderline ordained in a sense. I feel like I'm being helped about every time I listen to it. I've had tough & weird moments through time that this one has really helped me through, but even now when I can say that I'm really enjoying life, I still get something from this one. Devin I'm glad you put the effort in that you do to keep things pure, the ripple effects are ineffible in scale. Thanks

[@jsal2139]

These podcasts are like therapy. Much love Dev!

[@nataraja123]

always a treat listening to Dev...so many things I needed to hear and I didn't even know...thank you for this Dev

[@inkagiz]

Love this album🤘🏻😝🇨🇦

[@magnuszetterqvist5936]

Thanks 👍😘🇸🇪

[@russelleaton6861]

When I first heard the album ghost, I knew it was something special. Over the years I fall more and more in love with it. When I listen to BlackBerry, the way that song builds, its mesmerizing beauty always brings me to tears, I rarely ever cry. That album is healing! Also, some years ago I remember getting my first pet Guinea Pig, she was so sweet and loving, that I named her "Kawaii".

[@ar156]

Yes!

[@JPGRAPHX3]

Thanks Dev!

[@DanBaune]

Good morning Dev. Thank you, I needed this today! 🙏

[@chapeudealuminio4866]

Me: Ok, let's go and study for the exam. Also me, as Dev releases a podcast: An F is fine.

[@georgesears2916]

Dude, Devin is the only reason I got through my finals. Don't stress, but please try hard.

[@DethronerX]

Thank you, Space Dev

[@angeldelaluz]

Thank you Devin

[@Goshoonkeys]

Think of everyone you know Everybody is broken Take a look around, everyone is sad Monsters and robots are broken-hearted Octopus lovers are broken-hearted Dad in the garden, all broken-hearted Thank you for the morning and the light But more than this Thank you for keeping trying Slow progress is still progress

[@themanwithamission]

Thank you Devin ♥️

[@Liz-cmc313]

Just thinking yesterday that I'm needing another Devin podcast and here you are ❤💯

[@color-head1696]

Devin! 4 hours ago out of a sudden - while beeing busy with something completely different - I for the first time since #13 came out thought: "later I might check if Devin has released #14". And BANG!!! here's the thing. Coincidence??? Nah! We're synced! ;-)

[@agnesrajna6607]

Yessssssss! We all needed this!!

[@joesaen]

You're the man!

[@neeltheother2342]

I love Ghost so much. I used it to relax or sleep or work many times.

[@DevonHubertMusic]

Love this album

[@woeku5513]

my relaxation/calming album

[@renaldopace6876]

I buy the product for the support but not just that because every record is interesting and takes 4 or 5 listens to get the full flow of the music and not just that i like to buy the physical copy to read the linear details on how the record was made the whole process

[@jbbya6040]

Ocean machine live stream? I’m super excited for this. Really looking forward to Puzzle as well.

[@alexanderjenkins7929]

Healing and Wholing need to come together - loving who you are while leaning in to who you want to be. Or just take a day off! 🥰

[@CherokeeMaiden81]

Your voice is so soothing.

[@teknical100]

Hi I'm Devin Townsend and this year has been strange, still I managed to produce 23 albums more than the usual 5 this year . . . Lol Thank you for everything sir you are an inspiration.

[@erikmaronde2244]

What Devin describes here sounds very much like what another Canadian I am a fan of, SF-Writer Robert J. Sawyer, says about his creative processes.

[@RockBarnRecords]

I'm scared to listen to The Puzzle, but I'm sure it'll be on repeat for months on end once I "get it".

[@zekeblack7004]

If i had Elon Musk money, and the cosmos aligned flawlessly, Devy would be my house band and give lessons on the side. Never forget sometimes we gotta get in over our heads, just to see how tall we are...I for one will follow you down whatever rabbit hole you find yourself in. Stay amazing and thanks for the content, and the context.

[@murryshaw3733]

Not getting roasted for not hitting the topic for an hour? That's why Dev fans are Dev fans.. you know what you get is essential listening, regardless of the focus... space cats and alien coffee.. it's all on point, if sometimes meandering off topic, or meandering towards it... X

[@thomasineallen4723]

I think there is a deceptively heavy album hidden in Ghost. In a good way. Sounds all pretty and soft and nice, flutes and everything... But it's actually really heavy. Has anybody else noticed this or am I just talking nonsense

[@debbiedamianobillirakis4175]

💜

[@dancercj1491]

"Hi folks, Dev, Hi, haha, Hi, how you holding it? are you doing ok?" - sadly, I have lost my purpose to exist and live. Freedom, derailed long term, darkness folds everything I once had, and I doubt I will ever see the light of day where I'll be allowed to dance within classes or social encompassing ever again. Trust me, those aren't song lyrics! I hate every minute of life now and this will probably be the future for the next 7-10 years I reckon.

[@pinkenbajedi2119]

I know it’s hard to see the Forrest for the trees sometimes but god, please stop overthinking and beating yourself up so much. We love your music, who gives a fuck what anyone thinks. Do you, we love it.

[@pinkenbajedi2119]

Yeeeew 🤙

[@eric.ryan.easton]

I've listened to Ghost at least 500 times, lol.

[@photoguy4212]

Same

[@metal.control]

Devin! Subtitularías tus podcast al español?

[@Urbanwino]

Traditional Polish dish, coming from today's Ukraine's territory - pierogi ruskie (russkie) in Canada. By the way, we could do a contest of eating those. Winner is the one who won't have a hemoroid in a few days.

[@mapinguarimonster]

You need to record the next one

[@Bonkikavo]

I guess I'll go listen to Emerald Web.

[@ehoc42]

When does he start talking about the album in the title of the podcast this time?

[@tryste_mx]

Right about the one-hour mark.

[@sir_kitten]

10 years after deconstruction we are getting a sequel... ❤️

[@ryangood4595]

In regards to others telling you "yeah man you are high strung"... I am in a 12 step program and one thing that happens when one drunk talks with another drunk is we are kinda obligated to call each other out on our BS. If I'm high strung, dude's gonna tell me about it. If I'm rude, dude is going to tell me about it. I'm too close to my own self to accurately audit my own character - it helps if someone who is on the same team tells me "dude, your attitude sucks" or "man, you are better than that" so yes, humbling but necessary to have our ego smashed.

[@AftertheTower16]

💙

[@beeveli]

An hour in listening and not a single word about Ghost. Uhhh. Kind of curious about the Puzzle though

[@brandonlopez714]

Hi Devin!...from 08 brah.

[@tonyrozza5638]

Wisdom

[@krisdaschwab912]

Come to Poland, Dev. I'll show you the best damn pierogi on the planet.

[@Thidavann_Soth]

😊