Sounds a bit like a weird album name.
But anyway, I hope this topic hasn't been done before.

I remember reading one of Dev's posts, saying how mainstream acceptance made him feel nauseous. Which, is totally understandable.

But I was curious to know, what if by chance, the mainstream DID accept his work?
I'm not endorsing in any way he should go seek it, it was mere curiosity as to how you guys, (And possibly Dev himself if he wishes to comment) would react to the possiblity.

Although personally for me it wouldn't change how I feel about his music, (provided obviously Dev made no changes to his work.) But it would be a little weird putting on the radio and hearing 'Earth Day' for example.

(PS - Sorry if it is the wrong section.)

Well, Dev is metal. And metal is too scary and angry to be accepted.

Anyway, I could see some songs becoming hits--"Life," for example--but it certainly wouldn't change the way I view his music. His music is awesome for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with anyone else liking it. I get the vibe that Dev doesn't write for anyone except himself, which I admire in a musician/composer. So as long as Dev didn't sell out (can't really see that happening), I think we'd be fine.

On the other hand, this forum would gain a lot of "pop" members. That could be scary.

Then again, the more, the merrier.

Honestly, I'd be happy for Dev. It would provide him with a nice financial cushion if all the mindless modern rock fans went his way. Kind of a strange "what if," though...

Don't think it could ever happen. And the reason I'm not on other band forums like Opeth's or Dream Theater's is because there are far too many people and in the case of Opeth, lots of what us Norwegians call "fjortiser". Basically meaning immature attention-seeking fourteen year olds. I have yet to see someone like that on this forum though, awesomeness.

I think the reason that Devin Townsend will never be accepted by the mainstream, is the following:

Devin Townsend makes music with his heart, he translates his emotions in beautiful songs!
The mainstream musicians and/or record labels make music with the only purpose of gaining fucking money!
Devin's listeners love his music because they understand the meaning of it, they feel the emotions of it!
Mainstream music listeners are to lazy to understand the beauty of long and (in their eyes) boring songs and therefore they don't understand the meaning of Devin's music!

I would nearly say QED...

Oh, I don't think it could happen either, it was just more of a what if?
Like Marjin has pointed out, Devin makes songs with his heart. If I had any musical ability, it's what I would want to be known for.

I have a tendancy to ponder strange questions.
But I have to agree, I do like the lack of attentions seeking 14 yr olds. So many forums I've seen ruined because of it.

SOE: I kinda thought a long the same lines as you, only I don't articulate what I mean so well. I fail at talking over the internet.
But yeah, I think it would be very good for him finance wise, but obviously that's not everything. It would be a little bit weird if I saw him in 'Heat' magazine. (And for those of you who don't know what that magazine is, be glad. I don't know it's a specific UK one or not.)
I can't imagine him being on the cover of that with something like: "SKULLET OR NOT?!"
If that makes any sense

I don't think 'pop' members could be too much of a bad thing, more people to convert to the awesome side after all.

It's not nearly as easy to define which characteristics make music "mainstream" as most people think. Mostly it's just marketing. Any half-decent band which is heavily pushed by the label to radio and other media is bound to get a following and become mainstream to some extent. This hasn't happened to Devin, but most people who i've introduced to his music have definitely liked it a lot, so there is certainly potential. I, for one, would love it if the Townsend fanbase and record sales grew tenfold If the music and the people are there, why should someone want to keep them apart? Anything else seems merely elitist.

Maybe this is because here in Finland Devin's music is not as obscure as it seems to be elsewhere. I've heard several songs on the radio, and most people who are interested in music (beyond what MTV offers) seem to be more or less familiar with his work.

Haha, the Opeth forum actually is kinda retarded. But I still hang out there every now and then, more so than here. I guess I'm just shy around you guys.

Dev's music goes WAY beyond the vast majority of average people's musical experience. It's too heavy, too deep, too intelligent, too epic. Most people these days like their entertainment (and especially music) in short, unintelligent, undemanding bursts, and so the Dev's stuff is way too much for them. And yes, I get the feeling he likes it this way....

immature attention-seeking fourteen year olds. I have yet to see someone like that on this forum though, awesomeness.

hi

immature attention-seeking fourteen year olds. I have yet to see someone like that on this forum though, awesomeness.

hi

Sorry Nathan, you don't qualify.

It's not nearly as easy to define which characteristics make music "mainstream" as most people think. Mostly it's just marketing.

Oh don't worry, it's easy to write a song with 'hit potential'. There are a couple of rules that you have to follow (about things like structure, melody, tempo) but if you follow those rules anyone can do it.

After that, to make it a hit, you'll need marketing and/or connections in the music business mafia to actually make it a hit. "Exposure" is the magic word.


Anywho, my friends had a good laugh at the Vampira video. But whenever I put on that song without the video they keep screaming at me that it's just noise (after which I shut them up by playing some Anaal Natharkh).

I could see (hmm how to put this) people who aren't particurarly Devin Townsend fan, or even metalheads, liking songs such as Life, Slow Me Down, Noisy Pink Bubbles and such.

I agree, songs like 'Life' could be liked by most people.

I think I worded my question wrong though.
What I meant is, as the current music 'trend' always changes, if Devins music was picked up on and made mainstream, how would you react to that... if that makes anymore sense.

I'm not saying his stuff could be mainstream, I'm just asking, what if people decided to make his music mainstream.

I tell you i nearly punched someone recently concenring Dev.

I played the song 'Life' to this guy, he listened to it for about 5 seconds and said 'ugh, i don't like metal, its just noise'.
This type of attitude really hacks me off, so i showed him 'Seventh Wave' aswell, which i regard as 'epic' rather than full on 'heavy'
His comment, 'ugh no way, it's shit, it all sounds the same'.
This type of attitude is ridiculous, to not even give it a chance, so regarding mainstream acceptance, i'm personally glad that Devin hasn't given into it really because not only will this attract the annoying 14 year old attention seekers, but i believe Devin's music is too unique to be a part of mainstream music scene.

Unless they create a new genre, 'Skullet, epic fury metal'.

It's not nearly as easy to define which characteristics make music "mainstream" as most people think. Mostly it's just marketing.

Oh don't worry, it's easy to write a song with 'hit potential'. There are a couple of rules that you have to follow (about things like structure, melody, tempo) but if you follow those rules anyone can do it.

After that, to make it a hit, you'll need marketing and/or connections in the music business mafia to actually make it a hit. "Exposure" is the magic word.


Anywho, my friends had a good laugh at the Vampira video. But whenever I put on that song without the video they keep screaming at me that it's just noise (after which I shut them up by playing some Anaal Natharkh).

Yeah, but not all mainstream hits follow those rules. You mentioned Vampira, and that song definitely has the catchy structure, melody, tempo, riffs, lyrics, vocals, and crowd-pleasing shouts which should make it a hit. So my point was that it's not the musical characteristics of a band or song which make it a hit, but the exposure, just like you said.