well, I think you're right nevertheless.

If he played a song like Ih-Ah on a late night show, people would flock.

But they'd realise that only about 1% of Dev's material is like that (eg mainstream, poppy) and they'd run when they hear OM or Terria.

I bet it would get a couple people to buy "Addicted," though. That's still a couple more than there would have been before. And who knows, maybe they would dig some of Dev's other stuff, too. That wouldn't have been possible if they had kept on living their lives not ever hearing anything by Devin.\

Even if they don't buy the album and just download the song somewhere for free, there is a good chance they'll talk to someone else about it. "Listen to this song I downloaded!" There is another person exposed.

I first heard Devin when the Vai album came out, because I was really into Steve Vai at the time. Later, when he created SYL, I got into that as well. I was into more mainstream rock and didn't listen to anything even remotely as extreme as SYL, but I loved it. I checked out SYL because it was Devin's, and even though the music was nothing like Vai, I still ended up enjoying it. It was Devin's voice and the emotion he put into his work that hooked me.

There is no reason that cannot happen with others. It already has. Somehow, the opportunities for that to happen need to be increased.

pointed out excellently.

If he played a song like Ih-Ah on a late night show, people would flock.

QUOTE

Even if they don't buy the album and just download the song somewhere for free, there is a good chance they'll talk to someone else about it. "Listen to this song I downloaded!" There is another person exposed.

But this is happening anyway. There's no need for any primetime TV appearances. I discovered Devin Townsend this way, being shown (played?) Synchestra, and went on to listen to his other stuff. Some of it I like, some of it I don't. That's all the process needs to be.

Actually Ih-Ah was one of Dev song my girlfriend and family really enjoyed.

To give you the picture: My gf is into Mika, Peter Gabriel, MJ and Chopin. My parents like classical music and some Blues or rock (Bob Dylan). But they all loved Ih-Ah, Two weeks, Deep Peace, Terminal and other (soft) stuff.

And now they're asking me to make a compilation of Dev's stuff and give it to them.

Bottom line, I'm not sure that Dev's diversity in musical styles is really a hinderance. It would tend to be the opposite. Of course my family wouldn't listen to the whole Alien just because Two Weeks is on it, but they get to discover Devin and his abilities/talent. And they love him! Plus, they love his character, his personality.

By being so diverse, I think he touches much more poeple than you know and because of his honesty and charisma everyone likes him, from the most extreme metalhead to the most mellow blues-rock fan.

And to get to Ppinkham's point, a popular "maintream'' TV show would only get even more poeple to come and know him and love him.

So that's a great idea and let's DO THIS!! Right, Dev?

Even if they don't buy the album and just download the song somewhere for free, there is a good chance they'll talk to someone else about it. "Listen to this song I downloaded!" There is another person exposed.

But this is happening anyway. There's no need for any primetime TV appearances. I discovered Devin Townsend this way, being shown (played?) Synchestra, and went on to listen to his other stuff. Some of it I like, some of it I don't. That's all the process needs to be.

It isn't happening quick enough. Devin has been around in the public eye how for how many years now? 18? I think Devin mentioned somewhere that stateside he averages sales of about 2500 cd's per release, and this last headlining tour he had here, even with sold out shows, actually lost money.

Personally, I'd rather Devin make money. I'd like for him to be able to do whatever he wants and never have to worry about the financial aspect of it. More exposure can only help. I have no idea why anyone would be against that.

It must be weird for him to come here and read all of these people discussing him and his future endeavors. It's like when you're a kid and your parents are talking about you as if you weren't around and you are actually sitting in the same room as them.

As I stated before, Dev may not even want that kind of exposure. I can't imagine that he wouldn't benefit just a little from that kind of exposure, and not just Dev. All of the member of the touring band would gain exposure, too. They all have their own things going on outside of the DTP, and it could help them out as well. Still, Dev may have his reasons for not wanting to go that route. I don't think it would elevate him too much, just a little more sales here and there. However, it may not be worth the risk of losing a little more privacy and anonymity in his personal life. If he was on a show like Conan's, he would be exposed to over a million people in just a matter of minutes. That guarantees a few more people on the street going "Hey, aren't you...?" Dev's a private guy, so that could be bad.

It isn't that easy to get on a one of these "mainstream" talk shows, anyway. I used that as an example of a way to reach the most people in the shortest amount of time. There are definitely other ways to spread the word, but they just aren't as effective. Like fan-based "street teams" who post flyers around town when shows come around, making requests at local radio stations, etc. However, talk shows want artists they believe will attract viewers, and Devin would be a hard sell here in the states. It would be easier for his management if there was a buzz already starting, which is why I brought up the fans campaigning in the original post.

Right now, the fans truly are his best, most realistic chance of gaining more exposure. The more effort the fans actually put into it, the better.

However, we all have our own lives, jobs, bills, families, etc., and Dev would never expect us to go above and beyond our responsibilities and our means just for him. Fuck it, let the hippy do it himself!

His fans are the most passionate I've ever seen (mostly on this forum ), so word of mouth is the best way of getting people introduced to Devin Townsend. That's all, no more, no less. It's a natural, organic thing, and I'm sure it'll keep going. I don't think anyone's losing interest, in any case.

...so word of mouth is the best way of getting people introduced to Devin Townsend. That's all, no more, no less. It's a natural, organic thing, and I'm sure it'll keep going. I don't think anyone's losing interest, in any case.

Totally agree. This is how I came to know Devin Townsend, and how I get others to know his music. And it is because his music is so diverse - those I know have tastes quite different from mine but have been intrigued by Devin's music and express curiosity about it. Funny though...to me it just always sounds like Devin. Doesn't matter if it is something from Ki, or Addicted, or Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing.

So, why not to reach more people to increase the word of mouth movement?

Its Funny, i would Really enjoy Seeing Dev on Conan o' Brien, but the thing is, if he gets way to big, Then sadly, people would think he sold out. More Exposure is what he needs though. I honestly think the song he could probably play to win people over would be kingdom, but the Tuska version. If more and more people heard that, They would get the feeling i get every time i hear it, Chills, people will realize where has this man been all my life. I say go for it, but move with caution i say.

Then sadly, people would think he sold out.

It's only selling out if it goes against his principles. Only Dev knows what those are. I've never understood why some people are so against their favorite artists gaining exposure, fans, and more money. If they are doing what they want to do and they are happy, why does it matter? Why would anyone want to begrudge them that?

Now, if they are going against their principles and doing it purely for financial gain, that's another story. We know Devin isn't about that, because he could have just milked the hell out of SYL, or sang for Van Halen or any other band looking for a vocalist. With his voice and his musicianship, he could throw together a rock band and just play stuff like Nickelback with very little effort, and be all over the radio and selling out arenas. Thankfully, Dev has not gone that route. lol

The new version of "Kingdom" Dev plays is awesome. If he ever decides to re-record some of the old stuff (which he has mentioned before) that song needs to be on it, and be pushed as the first single. He took a great song and made it epic.

I think Dev should actually step back from the music industry in 2011 and concentrate on where he'll really hit his peak....

Cheese on toast.

It is a little known fact that Dev is in fact the world master in cheese on toast. So few people actually know about this it's shocking. If Dev decided to spend the year really pushing his cooked bread and hardened dairy product ability and range, then i am certain that the world would be his lobster.

He could go on the Conan show and make everyone cheese on toast, thus taking his abilities to the masses, and ultimately, to the next level.

There's the cheese, there's the bread, there's so many varients of sauce that you can use, brown sauce, worcestershire sauce, even marmite....However no one in the world apart from the Dev can actually answer what the best combination of bread, cheese and sauce works. It's like a god given ability to please the world of cheese on toast enthusiasts, and boy, am i one of them.

I really think that this could be the year, i really do.

I cannot think of anything better than some Devin Cheese on Toast with a cup of coffee whilst listening to Terria.

I may also be making all of this up, which is possible. I would like Dev to either confirm or deny his cheese on toast affiliation if possible.....gotta go, the smoke alarms going off 'cause i left the toaster on!!!