DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT–Devin Townsend (vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming), Ryan Van Poederooyen (drums), Dave Young (guitar, keyboards), Brian ‘Beav’ Waddell (bass), Mike St-Jean (keyboards, synths, programming)–is gearing up for shows with Clutch as part of their “Psychic Warfare” tour, along with The Obsessed, in support of his 17th studio album and the band’s seventh studio album, TRANSCENDENCE. The trek—which also includes a few headlining shows–starts November 29 in Greensboro, NC at The Cone Denim Entertainment Center and concludes December 31 in Columbus, OH at Express Live.
TRANSCENDENCE is available in multiple formats: Limited Edition 2CD Digipak (including a bonus disc with 11 additional tracks) / Standard CD Jewelcase / Gatefold (black or colored) 2LP Vinyl Edition (incl. the album on CD) / Digital Album (Standard and Deluxe Edition).
“After a long and successful year that has been nearly 200 shows already, we are finishing up our touring year with another run of the United States in which we get to some new markets and a new crowd,” says Devin Townsend. “Since their first album, I have been an avid fan of Clutch. In certain frames of mind, there is no finer band. The aesthetic of the style of music they play juxtaposes perfectly with their forward thinking and inspiring lyrical content. I love Clutch. Although on the surface it may seem like an odd pairing, but we met recently after a show in Ireland and I found we were on the same page about a lot of things. I think the best tours typically include several different vibes, and this one with Clutch and The Obsessed Is really exciting for us.
“We wanted to get back to the States before this year concluded, and to be invited to be part of this bill is really flattering. We look forward to playing again and with a new set.”
Over the course of DEVIN TOWNSEND’s storied career, a single constant has persevered: change. As far back as Steve Vai’s SEX & RELIGION, which TOWNSEND fronted, to 2001’s landmark full-length solo album, TERRIA, to the multi-instrumentalist’s country rock outfit Casualties of Cool, to his stunning new album, TRANSCENDENCE, the Canadian isn’t too interested in keeping an even musical keel. To stay the proverbial course is, well, anathema. For certain, he’s far too impatient to write the same Strapping Young Lad song over and over—which is why he folded the band in 2007—and it’s likely there will never be a fourth or fifth Ziltoid album (a third if we’re lucky) because by that point he’ll be in a totally different frame of mind for galactic puppets gone awry. To understand why Townsend, consciously and subconsciously, favors change is to know the man and his music today.
“Music, in my opinion, is ideally the exhaust for whatever you’re going through in life,” says TOWNSEND. “Rather than the focus, it should be the outcome. As such, each record just naturally leads to the next. If they’re done correctly, they become an accurate representation, like a snapshot of a particular frame of mind. Like this is where I was at when I was 23 (CITY). This is where I was at when I was 29 (TERRIA). At the age of 44 – I guess that’s where I’m at? – to make this accurate requires all these new adjustments and analysis that end up propelling the themes that ultimately reveal themselves. The theme for the new record seems to have prevented itself as a form of surrender I think. Learning to integrate that became the process for TRANSCENDENCE.”
As for the TOWNSEND’s loyal fans? The very fans who’ve been waiting with bated breath for TRANSCENDENCE? “If it gives me a reaction, then I hope it’ll contribute something to their world. Ultimately, I’m happy to contribute my observations to the massive sea of music. If there’s anything that became clear to me throughout this all is the value of being part of something as opposed to being too concerned about ‘being’ the thing.”
Devin Townsend isn’t going to be taking time off once the tour is over, and 2018 is already looking to be a busy year for him. As he explains, “After this tour, I have five projects I’ve been working on, and I can’t wait to get started on them, I feel so fortunate to be able to do this for a living. Thank you for the support and faith. Let’s do this.”
Check out DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT at any of the following tour stops:
Wed 11/29 Greensboro, NC The Cone Denim Entertainment Center
* Thu 11/30 Baltimore, MD Baltimore Soundstage
Fri 12/1 N. Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
Sat 12/2 St. Petersburg, FL Jannus Live
Sun 12/3 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution
Tue 12/5 St. Augustine, FL Backyard Stage at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Wed 12/6 Pensacola, FL Vinyl Music Hall
* Thu 12/7 Athens, GA Georgia Theatre
Fri 12/8 Baton Rouge, LA Varsity Theatre
Sat 12/9 San Antonio, TX The Aztec Theatre
Sun 12/10 Houston, TX House of Blues
Tue 12/12 Springfield, MO Gillioz Theatre
Wed 12/13 Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre
* Thu 12/14 Milwaukee, WI The Rave II
Fri 12/15 Peoria, IL Limelight
Sat 12/16 Nashville, TN Marathon Music Works
Wed 12/27 Clifton Park, NY Upstate Concert Hall
Thu 12/28 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
Fri 12/29 Richmond, VA The National
Sat 12/30 Knoxville, TN The International
Sun 12/31 Columbus, OH Express Live
* headlining show
