At first glance, an operatic orchestral album, a commercial rock record, and an avant-garde experimental project might seem worlds apart. However, Devin Townsend reveals to Full Metal Jackie that a unifying theme of transformation connects all his recent endeavors. With the release of his latest album, PowerNerd, the anticipation of a spectacular live performance of his orchestral opera, The Moth, and the upcoming abstract work titled Axolotl, Townsend explains that each project explores the intricate concept of change from unique perspectives.

“As we age, the chaos of the world intensifies, and thoughts of mortality become increasingly significant,” he explains. “This current body of work aims to articulate those feelings in a way that resonates with the parts of me that fear these transitions.” His creative journey reflects a commitment to delving into profound themes through diverse musical styles.

“Throughout my career, there have been times when I’ve generated a substantial amount of music in various formats, and this is just another chapter in that ongoing narrative,” the prolific artist shares. His ability to blend different genres and themes is a hallmark of his artistic identity.

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In other parts of the conversation, Townsend candidly discusses the challenges he faced while crafting the PowerNerd album and his passion for the creative process. He dives deep into his new photo book, “Overexposed and Underdeveloped,” reminisces about his musical inspirations from the ’90s, and reflects on his most cherished touring experiences.

It’s Full Metal Jackie, and this week we have the endlessly creative and ever-inspiring Devin Townsend on the show. He’s here to discuss his latest album, PowerNerd, his photo book “Overexposed + Underdeveloped,” and a variety of other exciting projects.

Devin, as someone who is constantly working on new projects, what aspects of the creative process do you find most fulfilling? When you finalize an album, do you view it as a satisfying accomplishment or do you feel a bittersweet sense of loss knowing that this chapter has concluded?

It’s a mix of both emotions. For me, the drive to create stems from my experiences as a sensitive individual, particularly during my formative years. I often felt unable to express myself adequately in everyday life, but music turned out to be an invaluable outlet. It allowed me to transform feelings that might be deemed inappropriate in normal circumstances into celebrated artistic expressions. Consequently, I’ve been conditioned to channel my emotions through music.

Music serves as a fundamental outlet for me to articulate sentiments that are often difficult to convey personally. However, I acknowledge that the journey towards this level of expression requires substantial effort. My creative process has enabled me to become more adept at articulating my thoughts and feelings in various facets of life.

When I reach the end of an album, I prefer to adopt the philosophy that I once heard regarding music production: a record is never truly finished; you simply reach a point where you must let go. Thus, the conclusion of the creative process often involves a blend of emotions—fear, pride, and a tinge of regret for not achieving absolute perfection.

Exploring the Depths of Devin Townsend’s “PowerNerd”

Devin, it’s fascinating how the creation of an album can evolve. You’ve mentioned that PowerNerd began as a light-hearted rock project, yet you were experiencing significant personal loss and grief during its development. How do you navigate the tension between maintaining the initial vision of fun while also allowing your emotions to influence the music? Where do you find that equilibrium?

First off, I appreciate your insightful questions. The foremost priority for me in any project is its authenticity to my current state of being. The effort required to bring ideas to life is so extensive that if the project doesn’t resonate with me personally, it often feels unworthy of pursuit.

When faced with a project that initially had a specific direction but life circumstances shift the experience, it becomes essential to remain open to adapting the work to reflect my true feelings at that moment. Otherwise, the authenticity that is crucial for me to consider it release-ready simply isn’t achieved.

With this record, I found myself grappling with the challenge of articulating our shared experiences of grief through a musical lens that might seem contrary to those feelings. It was a unique endeavor to express sorrow or loss through upbeat, accessible music, but ultimately, I believe we navigated it successfully.

Delving into “Jainism” and ’90s Influences

Devin, one standout track on this album is “Jainism.” I appreciate the homage to the underrated rock vocalist and songwriter Ginger Wildheart. You’ve mentioned how this song draws inspiration from your experiences with ’90s music. Can you share some of your favorite artists from that era?

It really depends on which part of the ’90s we’re discussing, but when I reflect on that decade as a whole, I think of albums like Formula by Old Lady Drivers, Only Heaven and Second Nature by The Young Gods, Domination by Morbid Angel, Killjoy by Shihad, and Darker by Light by Rapoon.

Back then, I was also immersed in Fear Factory and Carcass, which helped shape my creative inclinations towards loop-based music, a style I began to explore more deeply during that time. The Old Lady Drivers record particularly influenced my creative direction.

If I were to summarize my ’90s listening habits, I would highlight Darker by Light by Rapoon, Formula by Old Lady Drivers, and Second Nature by The Young Gods as pivotal albums that shaped my musical journey.

Unraveling the Narrative of Devin Townsend’s Upcoming Projects

Devin, with PowerNerd swiftly coming together, it marks the beginning of a four-part narrative arc for you. Given that these projects are interconnected by your experiences during their creation, does this process feel like piecing together a puzzle to tell a cohesive story? How do the other albums influence your vision for PowerNerd and what may come next?

Indeed, the overarching theme guiding this project, which encompasses PowerNerd, The Moth, an album named Axolotl, and a new initiative called the Ruby Quaker—essentially a modern iteration of the Devin Townsend Project—is centered around the concept of change.

I strive to leverage the unique aesthetic of each work, whether it’s the operatic chaos of The Moth, the straightforward commercial appeal of PowerNerd, or the abstract qualities of Axolotl, to reflect this theme from various angles.

As we grow older, the chaotic state of the world often brings thoughts of mortality to the forefront of our minds. My goal with this body of work is to distill those feelings into something relatable for the parts of me that grapple with fear regarding these inevitable transitions.

When I begin writing, if a theme resonates profoundly enough, my creative impulses drive me to continue exploring it through different musical expressions. I organize my creative output into folders based on their aesthetic—straightforward, orchestral, meditative, and abstract. Once these folders are populated sufficiently to form coherent themes, I start piecing them together into cohesive projects. This is another example of how I’ve generated significant amounts of music presented in diverse formats throughout my career.

Devin, transitioning to The Moth, I understand this project has been a long time coming and will culminate in a one-off performance with a symphony orchestra. How monumental is this endeavor for you, and what does it mean to finally present it to your audience?

This undertaking is monumental. The logistics alone are incredibly complex, making it essential to complete the music quickly so I can focus on coordinating all the moving parts. Fortunately, I’ve dedicated roughly a decade to this project—though not consistently, the concept has certainly been in development.

For instance, the performance will involve a 100-piece orchestra, a 60-member choir, and the band itself, which introduces a myriad of logistical challenges. I found myself contemplating issues I never thought I’d face, such as who is responsible for renting 200 chairs. There was even a proposal from another symphony for a tour, but the costs associated with accommodating an entire orchestra and their needs quickly became daunting.

Managing orchestrators, choral directors, band members, and collaborating musicians, along with artists, storyboarding, animators, and travel logistics, creates a seemingly endless list of tasks. However, while I find enthusiasm in these challenges due to their novelty, they also stem from a lifelong dream of mine to create an opera or musical. The Moth is yet another milestone on that journey.

Lastly, I’d like to emphasize that while the scale of this production might suggest it eclipses everything I’ve done, it’s simply another step along my artistic path. Nevertheless, this one is quite significant.

It seems you’re always gravitating towards projects that are complex and challenging.

It’s not meant to be provocative, I assure you. My process is dictated by ideas, and I take pride in my work ethic. If a vision captivates me enough to pursue it, my determination drives me to find a solution, regardless of the challenges that arise. To me, the professionalism of the solution is far less important than the intent behind it.

It’s Full Metal Jackie, and we’re joined by Devin Townsend. You’re also releasing the “Overexposed + Underdeveloped” photo book. You’ve been busy capturing moments from your life. Is there a particular photo in the book that holds special significance for you, allowing you to share a meaningful moment with your audience?

I had to reach out to friends, my mother, and others close to me to gather photos for the book. Each image required a description, timestamp, and context, which was challenging for someone like me who rarely reflects on the past.

It’s not due to shame or embarrassment; I simply don’t often look at myself in the mirror. Thus, my self-image is rooted in an internal understanding of who I am rather than physical appearances. When I see photos of myself, I often think, “Oh, it’s that guy.”

Among the photos included, I’m unsure if the one I’m thinking of made it in, but it captures a moment from when we performed on The Tonight Show, where I humorously placed the green room phone in a rather unconventional spot. At 22, I thought it was entirely appropriate, but looking back now at 53, I chuckle and think, “Well, I’m glad I took that photo when I could still do so.”

Devin, the photo book also explores your personal history. Given your extensive body of work over the years, do you have a favorite album and tour cycle? It doesn’t have to be the best, but rather one that was particularly rewarding due to your experiences during its creation.

Each album I produce is a reflection of the time in which it was conceived, and thus, I don’t believe any of them are inherently better or worse than others. I do have preferences based on specific life phases, of course.

By expressing these experiences as honestly as possible, I feel I’ve largely met the criteria for what defines success in a record—whether it’s Physicist, Empath, Lightwork, or The Puzzle. Each project accurately represents where I was during its creation.

What I appreciate most about my favorite records is the creative process behind them. For instance, I enjoyed working on The Puzzle and Snuggles, which offered me a significant creative outlet. However, in terms of tour cycles, the Empath tour stands out as one of my proudest moments.

Before the pandemic, I had a full ensemble of ten musicians, backup singers, stunning visuals, and sold-out shows. It was an incredible experience. Unfortunately, that tour was halted due to the pandemic, but I treasure the memories of that time.

While I don’t regret the changes the pandemic has imposed on my work or presentation style, I am deeply grateful for the fact that such a remarkable experience once took place.

Thanks to Devin Townsend for the insightful interview. The PowerNerd album is available on Devin’s website. Be sure to check out his new photo book, “Overexposed + Underdeveloped.” Stay connected with Devin through his social media channels on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Spotify. Discover where you can listen to Full Metal Jackie’s weekend radio show here.