Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

I've been a workaholic for many years, but at the same time, I do it because I love it.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

I don't deal with conflict well, so sometimes things will happen that will make me feel sort of powerless. But instead of being able to actually deal with the problem, I just suck it up - that's the way I was raised. Music, then, becomes my one avenue for letting things go, and when I get the chance, I let it rip. It's like therapy in that way.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

As a drummer, I'm rhythmically so disabled that it's hilarious.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

Enya was a huge deal for me. That kind of woman vocals and how wide those productions were.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

For me, the opportunity to express myself in this way is something I don't take for granted.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

As a vocalist, I can scream, and I've got a really good singing voice, but I can't do the really heavy vocals.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

With 'Epicloud,' I wanted something catchy as the flu but with a sentiment that is romantic, positive, and beautiful. Spiritual without religion and set to heavy music.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

If you're making music strictly to make money, you might as well find another job.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

I love Strapping Young Lad. I'm incredibly proud of that band; I'm incredibly proud of everything we did.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

I tend to find in my musical world people end up appearing, and I'm pretty good at being able to discern right away whether or not they are going to be appropriate based on their personality.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

A lot of people are upset when you work out your anger issues, but there's a big industry for music which is furious and angry because, in my opinion, the world is looking for a justification to feel the same way.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

The reason why everything I do is so different is not because I'm trying to be provocative; it's simply a reflection of whatever was happening to me at the time I wrote that particular record.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

Strapping Young Lad is a vehicle for me to be wild and extroverted and ridiculous. It gives me the chance to say, 'Look at me. I'm a heavy metal guy. I'm Rob Halford or Bruce Dickinson or whoever.'

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

As Devin, the person, I'm very different from my artistic self.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

In Strapping, I had experimented with a creative catharsis under the assumption that art doesn't need to be accountable for itself, but I found out in very practical ways that you are accountable for everything you say. Everything you write, everything you do becomes not only your identity but your world resonates with it.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

I know that I'm often perceived as this odd guy who's a bit out there, and I've probably, once in a while, reinforced that image, but I'm really not that person, and, in a way, I want even less so to be seen like that.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

I have a real hard time with inter-personal relationships. I find it really taxing. Especially, like, friendships and being in bands.

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

The bottom line is music, for me, is an exhaust port for life, and if I have a chaotic year, then I'm gonna write a chaotic record, and that's what happened with 'Ziltoid,' with 'Z2.'

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

It's like... to make a good record - I don't care who you are - it takes a long time and a lot of passion and a lot of attention to detail, right?

Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend

I really like female singers; I've got zero interest in working with male singers. Any male voice I need to do, I can do.