Devin Townsend Quotes

What's the point of a song if you can't be honest?

The whole process of music for me is something absolutely honest and really naked and bare, so I never forced myself to write in French.

The responsibility of an artist is to be honest with themselves.

People used to say my music was too difficult or too obscure, and I never set out to be difficult or obscure. I just set out to write what I felt as honestly as I could, and I am delighted when other people feel a part of themselves in the music.

I think I've always been aware of it with my music. I think growing up basically and having a lot to deal with and just slowing down and having something to say and something to retract from, I think I just knew that what I was doing was extremely honest.

I am quite certain in my heart of hearts that modern music and modern art is not a conspiracy, but is a form of truth and integrity for those who practise it honestly, decently and with all their being.

All I can do is focus on staying true to the style of music I write and sing because that is the only way it's going to come off as honest.

I've heard some people say that I'm selling out, but I'm not. If I hadn't done 'Black Radio', and just kept on doing just piano trio stuff, I wouldn't be honest with myself; I'd be doing it to please other people. That would be selling out.

Being so honest in my writing is cathartic.

That's what rock music is, I think - constantly searching for authenticity, and being as honest as possible.

Being honest is my job. That's what music is for me.

I started writing songs by myself. That always came from whatever I was feeling and being honest about that because I never had any intention of anyone ever hearing them.

Writing helps me process things that are happening to me.

With songs, I've always pledged to be honest. I write my songs because I've lived them.

I think writing really helps you heal yourself. I think if you write long enough, you will be a healthy person. That is, if you write what you need to write, as opposed to what will make money, or what will make fame.

If the writing is honest it cannot be separated from the man who wrote it.

I always like to vent and tell the truth in my music.

If I can't be honest with music, forget it.

I think, as a filmmaker, it's important to be honest with yourself at all times in terms of what's working and what's not.

As a composer, I'm basically trying to represent myself through my music in an honest way.

It's very special that I can go through things - and write them down and record them - and so many people can relate. Not everybody can get out who they are and really feel better after they write.

Maybe some of the pronouns have changed, but I've always been honest in my music.

My only way of processing anything for me is by writing.

I felt like a failure for so long because I wasn't able to access myself in the way I knew I would have if I was going to make music that mattered. I knew I was going to have to learn how to be honest.

I have no axe to grind; only my thoughts to burnish.