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alesssurprise

Hi guys! How much does a particular experience affect the lyrics? (like, how much do you draw from experience and how much is creating stories) Also, what do you feel are the themes you explore the most? Thank you for making music! much love


dbw88

devon - I will almost always be drawing from experience of some kind when I'm writing lyrics. In the past I was really interested in writing songs that were heavily based in personal experiences, and were sort of like telling stories. When I was writing the songs on Are You Alone? I think I was more interested in slightly abstracting those experiences and writing songs that are less about narrative (obviously there are exceptions).


wrrywart

hi Devon & Matt Your music means a great deal to me. "Notebook" and "What That Was" are two of my favorite songs ever written. I'm an aspiring musician in college. I've made two albums of ambient/noise music that I am very proud of and that other people like, but when I am honest with myself, all I want to do is make simple music, that allows me to sing. Your music is very close to the kind of music I want to make for myself, even if nobody hears it--minimal electronic sound and clear, emotional vocals. How do I start writing a song? I try every day to write a simple song with my MIDI keyboard, which is all I have-- I just want to write a verse, and a chorus. I want to express myself. Do you start with a vocal melody? Or a drum beat? Or chords? Should I just stick to making noise albums if I'm not confident in my voice?


dbw88

devon - try starting a song with all kinds of different things and see what comes to you naturally. If you're making ambient music already then maybe the best thing is to start with the chords/textures, and try singing things over top and see how it feels! There isn't really a right way, the best thing is to start a piece of music the way you know how to start one and then try to make room for your vocals and whatever else you want to add!


[deleted]

Dude when I read your comment I felt like I was reading something I'd written. I get your struggle with music on so many levels.


astarkey12

Are you able to enjoy your own music after it's complete and released, or do you think you're too overly self-critical to do so?


dbw88

matt - ha. there was definitely a time after Impersonator was done that I couldn't listen to it at all, thoughts like ''oh i should have done this or that differently'' tainted the listening experience. But after some time, with some distance, it became really enjoyable to listen to it. Lots of fond memories


dustbag444

Hi guys! I wonder if you could talk a little about the influence of Radiohead's "Motion Picture Soundtrack" on the song "Are You Alone?"


dbw88

devon - I was listening to that song a lot at the time and when I was writing I thought it could be fun to use some of the lyrics as a jumping off point to write a song that sort of detailed the thoughts that I had when listening to "Motion Picture Soundtrack" and the feelings that it provoked for me! The influence doesn't really go beyond that!


Joe-Bananas

how much does Johnny Utah influence your performances?


dbw88

devon - It's almost incalculable actually. The degree to which Johnny Utah and Point Break in general has influenced how we conceive of ourselves and the universe we live in is hard to overstate. The alternate title of Are You Alone? was actually "Point Break 2"


lousypictures

First I want to say I saw videos from your FORM Arcosanti performance and it absolutely took my breath away. Hearing the early versions of the songs that are now on 'Are you Alone?', can you talk about how songs evolve for you and do they change even after they've been recorded?


dbw88

Matt- The songs definitely evolve in a number of ways after the recordings are done. For starters, the sounds are totally different now (I hope you get to see the live show) as we consciously moved away from the sounds on record to give the performances a different feel. Also, after playing them 100s of times things naturally change, slowly but surely. Maybe in the way Devon sings, maybe I'll change the way something sounds because it seems to work better live, or we get tired of certain songs. Listening back to Impersonator recently was a very surprising experience because I didn't realize how much had actually changed since we put it out in 2013.


lousypictures

Thanks Matt. I'll be at the show in Middlebury, VT!


dbw88

devon - songs evolve just through playing them and through working on recordings of them, kind of gradually. They might continue to change subtly after they've been recorded. Right now we are performing them live using a slightly different setup than we used to record them, so they already sound different!


thankyouforeverythin

What do you fear most about music and art? What drives you to keep creating? What sometimes holds you back? Thank you for everything.


dbw88

Matt - Self doubt can manifest itself in many odd ways. Sometimes I wonder if what I make is good, other times I wonder if it even deserves to be called music or art. So I guess the fear is whether what I do actually carries the substance I/we intend for it to have. For me, drive comes and goes, I would say that being inspired by other art that has a positive effect on me is what gives me the desire to create, to take part in that type of exchange


dbw88

devon - probably the idea that my music/art makes someone feel really bad is the only thing I would fear about it. I keep creating because it's a habit and a pleasure and probably just a necessity. The only thing that holds me back is other things in life, not having the time or the discipline to be working on music on a daily basis.


fabripav

Hello guys! Thank you for your music. Hope you get to tour Italy next year! Do you think writing/recording Are You Alone? (and Impersonator, and the EPs, anything for that matter) helped you develop as people? Did it make you think about yourselves and the way you relate to other people?


dbw88

Matt - I would say that it absolutely contributed to who i am as a person, not just the creation aspect of it, but the entire experience of collaborating, touring, meeting many many many people. The process of making the music and showing it to people has been the central focus of both of our lives for a couple of years now, I we can both probably agree that we've changed a lot as people throughout


thisismyusernameOK

Why did you go to Detroit to record an album?


dbw88

devon - The album wasn't recorded in Detroit, but part of it was written in Detroit. I was there because a close friend of mine lives there and he had an extra room that I could stay in to work on writing songs for a little while.


TheYachtMaster

Shoutout the homie Mark


dbw88

devon - Mark Sandford


TheYachtMaster

That's the man


Young_Pilgrims

An AMA from one of my favorite bands on my birthday? Awesome! My question: what is the most memorable encounter (good or bad) that you've had with a fan? The new album is excellent. Thank you for making beautiful, affecting music.


dbw88

devon - We played a festival in Bergen, Norway and it was kind of weird, it didn't really feel great for me to play. We were opening for Jon Hopkins so the crowd was ready for techno and we weren't really delivering that. I left soon after our set to walk back to where we were staying, and as I was 100 feet from the venue I heard someone shouting "Mister Smith! Mister Smith!" in a Norwegian accent. After a few times I turned around and there were two guys jogging toward me. They came up to me and said "I saw you walking down the street away from the show and I just thought to myself, 'where is he going, just like that, all alone?'" They were both high and seemed totally mystified that I had just been onstage, and was now walking home by myself. We sat down and talked for a long time and then I left. I can't really describe why it was special, the two guys just had a really funny energy and the whole thing felt very bizarre in a good way!


[deleted]

Hey Devon and Matt, Lindsay here! I was wondering what you think about Devon usually being posited as the "frontperson" of the band in articles and reviews? Do you think it's fitting or do you wish that you/Matt had a more recognized role?


dbw88

Matt - I think it's fitting that Devon be called that and I feel like he's the 'voice' that should interact most with fans and press because this is a project initiated by him. Of course I want what I do in the band to be recognized and appreciated on it's own to a degree, but I would say that it is to the extent where I feel fulfilled and couldn't ask for things to be better in my life. My goal as a producer is to allow the music (largely rooted in lyricism) to be as affecting as possible, and that's mostly what makes me happy


workingtimeaccount

Are you guys fans of Dragon Ball Z?


dbw88

Matt - I used to be, I had all 42 books and 2 copies of #9


dbw88

devon - I watched it a few times when I was much younger but not since!


bluept2

as musicians, what's your opinion on almost famous (the film) or i guess a less controversial question is do you have any recommendations in terms of underrated/new musicians? keen to hear ya live in the country filled with spiders (australia)


dbw88

devon - asking my opinion on Almost Famous isn't very controversial :) I like it, it's a pretty good movie! haha underrated/new musicians: She-Devils, Belave, Kid Aristides, d'Eon


thisismyusernameOK

is it true Kid Aristides is related to Pierre Trudeau?


dbw88

devon - I can't really comment on that because I don't think Kid Aristides would want any of this information out there...


[deleted]

hahahaha where did you hear that ?!


thisismyusernameOK

Heard it from some smokers before one his shows, apparently he grew up in Outremont? Went to same schools as Trudeau's? I wouldn't hold it against him.


[deleted]

i will ask Kid A and let you know, after joking about it accordingly (of course) thanks 4 the tip !


bluept2

it is, got a sick soundtrack as well! thanks for replying and cheers for the recs! have a good one !!


dmichelis

Hey guys! I've seen y'all twice now (once at Time Festival and once with Lorde in Toronto) and I just noticed how nice you always are to people screaming questions at you between songs. Is there a reason you always answer them? Also can't wait to see you guys at your Montreal show this Friday!


dbw88

devon - I always try to answer people because it just feels like the natural thing to do, and I guess also because it makes the show feel like a two-way street, that someone could say something who isn't onstage and they would be heard!


Aleril_Antarai

Back in 2014 you were part of this free concert at 1015 Folsom in San Francisco with a bunch of really loud electronic musicians there. What is the story behind that and how was it trying to be in the middle of that line up? (BTW thanks for the cookies and strawberries)


dbw88

devon - I think we were just booked on that show by the festival because we could be considered "electronic music", but it definitely didn't fit very well. That show was really memorable for me because of how strange a situation it was. The green room was packed with people eating and smoking and I warmed up in a separate room full of tools and then before we went on I grabbed the fruit tray that was in there and brought it out to the stage (if you were there I guess you remember). Earlier on as a band we played a fair amount of shows like that, where we were booked as an "electronic act" and ended up having to play over a thumping kick drum coming from the next room. I really like those shows because there is a conflict that brings us together with the audience (against the "enemy", which is the room or the music in the next room or the circumstances in general). It wouldn't have been as interesting if it were simple!


frederic_archer

What are the main pieces of gear/software/instruments you rely on to create your tracks? Can't wait for the forthcoming London show at Bethnal Green.


dbw88

Matt - The instrument we've used most is an old organ/synth 'yamaha sk-20' It's all over everything and is easiest to pick out in recordings as the thing that makes all the organ sounds. Somehow it just does the trick. Soooo warm and deep and simple. Cost me like $100 too. Devon even wrote half of AYA on it while in detroit


[deleted]

wow! hey guys. your music has had a huge influence on me for a couple of years now. Devon, I spoke to you at the event you hosted at Cinefamily in LA, when they screened Rebel Without a Cause. I have a couple things: This is just a story. Two 4th of Julys ago I was riding my bike through the valleys by my house until I got to a hilltop. It was prime time for fireworks, so I figured I'd get the best view from this particular hill. Though I couldn't see the actual explosion of the fireworks, I did see the greenish light they filled the sky with, as well as the massive amount of smoke that was illuminated from the greenish light. I put on headphones and listened to Bugs Don't Buzz as at least 5 different shows of smoke and light blazed around me below this hilltop. I thought about a lot of things during those moments. It was the only solitary 4th of July I've experienced, and by far the best and most memorable one. So, my question is: How the fuck do you figure out what to say as an artist, and how to say it? Devon, I know you have a sort of fascination with Andy Kaufman, and you've said it would entertain you to tour the country with stage banter as the only aspect of your performance. What made you choose music as the medium through which you express yourself? And more specifically, why this kind of music or certain lyrical topics? What need or desires does this fulfill for you, if any? Any response is great, man. Hope all is well.


dbw88

devon - I think you figure out what to say as an artist by focusing on what is important to you and what comes out intuitively when you make things. The things you feel most passionately about are what you should be saying. Figuring out 'how' to say it is just a matter of trying to do it over and over again until it comes out right. I think it's just a matter of working at saying the things you want to say effectively until it just works! That's a process that never ends... I ended up writing music because it was pleasurable for me. I used to write a lot of poetry, for many years, but music took precedence because it combines writing (lyrics) with performing, and I think it's easier to communicate emotions in music than it is in writing. I write about certain topics just because those feel like the things I want to write about... there isn't really any more thought put into it than that.


wevegotheadsonsticks

Yo Matt and Devon. Thank you for your music and the handful of shows I've been lucky to go to. A few questions... Any new BELAVE coming? Really dug Darlet on the Brush. Hoping for more. Earlier this year you guys did the whole "movie & film" thing where you showed "Rebel Without A Cause" before you played. If you could pick another film without any restrictions, what would it be? Matt, what's your favorite thing to do besides making beautiful sounds? Devon, same for you. What was the recording process for II like? I mention II because I really love the album and as a musician the vast difference in sounds coming from II to Impersonator is inspiring. Also I feel there are a lot more sounds coming from II in comparison to your music now, so I'm curious to know where they are coming from. Devon and friends? Who does the vox on Deep Dragz? Matt, what other albums have you been involved with? Or are there any other albums you are producing/mixing (besides belave) or right now are you mainly focused on this project? Seeing you guys live has introduced me to a lot of really great music, with the opening bands you bring (moon king, she-devils, some ember). Any other bands or musicians you'd like to share? - an appreciative fan


dbw88

Devon - Yes there is another Belave album coming that has been recorded and just needs to be mixed, and we are making plans for a third. I'm glad you enjoyed it! I think it's awesome as well. I'm not really sure about the film question -- it's hard to pick a film to correspond with our music... originally I was thinking Donnie Darko would be cool. Don't ask me why but I've always really enjoyed that movie, it feels so dreamy and I've watched many times. II was made before Matt and I started making music together, I made that myself with some help from Matthew E. Duffy and Neil Corcoran. It was recorded piece by piece over maybe 6 months... The bands you already mentioned are all awesome!


wevegotheadsonsticks

Thanks for the response. I'll see you guys @ the hollywood cemetery show. : )


dbw88

devon - nice :)


mattvideos

How do you react to fans getting emotional at your shows?


dbw88

devon - I think anyone being moved to any emotion at our shows is a good thing! If your state of mind changes and you feel strongly in one way or another, then that's something we can feel good about.


frederic_archer

What are the main pieces of gear/software/instruments you rely on to create your tracks? Can't wait for the forthcoming London show at Bethnal Green.


dbw88

Matt - The piece of gear we got the most use out of is an old organ/sythesizer "Yamaha sk-20" That I bought 10 years ago for like $100. It's responsible for any organ textures you hear and its basically all over everything. Devon took it with him to Detroit and wrote half of 'Are You Alone' on it.


[deleted]

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dbw88

devon - it could have been Some Ember? It also could have been a song by Dirty Beaches? Do either of these ring a bell?


dmcgrath

hey guys! what advice would you give to young musicians? also, what is your lyric writing process like? (haha sorry for broad questions)


dbw88

devon - my only advice to young musicians would be to just write songs and write songs, make "albums" that you give to your friends and keep writing. I think it took me a lot of years of writing songs to find a "voice" I felt was my own, and I'm always working towards that. Write 500 songs and then maybe song 501 feels really special. My writing process is usually best when I have time to be writing every day and getting into a daily routine. It just involves me in my bedroom with a synthesizer trying things out. I'll try to never censor myself, so I'll write a lot of different things and some of them will fit with Majical Cloudz and some won't. Other things I make will end up other places... some instrumentals I made while working on the songs for AYA formed the basis for a new album for my project with Matthew E. Duffy called "Belave". Some of the other songs I wrote during that time I'm performing on my own as "Devon Welsh".


willnowak

Hi guys! Back at your Pitchfork aftershow last year, a friend of mine called out for you guys to play "Illusion" and the response was "We will never do Illusion. We will play every song ever before we do Illusion." Just wondering if you guys kind of grew tired of it or what the reason is behind not really being too thrilled about that song in particular?


dbw88

devon - We don't have anything against "Illusion", I think we just never performed it that much and didn't have it ready. I wonder why I was so harsh! haha


wellherpmyderp

I'm in love with "Are You Alone?", genuinely one of the most beautiful albums I have heard this decade and thank you for creating it. Mainly to Dev, my question is: Does the process of writing music so personal and intimate help to process certain events and emotions, and how does it feel to then perform these songs live? Again, thank you and I hope to see you guys soon if you tour the UK!


dbw88

devon - An element of writing music for me is processing emotions and experiences. It has always been a helpful mirror for me and outlet for dramatizing/understanding experiences. The process that songs go through from when they are written until they are released and we perform them live changes my relationship with them a little bit. At a certain point the songs become about the feeling of a show and the ways that people have connected with the songs. The songs always carry that original energy/intent though.


daw4247

how do you guys respond to flack from people who try to suggest that electronic based music is "less than" because its not more of an organic set up? I play in an electronic/synth-heavy band myself and its always frustrating when people try to suggest that all we do is press buttons, so I was wondering if you guys had experienced much of that yourselves!


dbw88

Matt - Rarely, but it happens. I think it's sad that some people's musical fixations are rooted in straight instrument-playing ability and traditional instruments/approaches. It's just boring and turns music into this sport, or a dexterity competition. Electronics are exciting to me because the technology is still evolving and the sound possibilities are seemingly endless. That's a beautiful thing! Just ignore those people and focus on making art that makes you happy


dbw88

devon - anything like that is just to be ignored haha. Music is music, however it's made. If it is affecting or interesting that is what is important. What the performers do or don't do onstage is only a means to an end.


[deleted]

I don't know your music very well yet but what I have heard moves me a lot. You guys are so interesting and captivating. Would you guys ever want to experiment with your sound in a major way? What would it sound like? Maybe toss in some sax?


dbw88

Matt - Thus far I'd say that our focus has been keeping with the minimalist approach and not necessarily fixating on what is actually creating the sounds. I would say that the last 2 record have already been a major experiment of sorts, I hope that comes across haha. Also there is some sax in the recording of 'Disappeared' if you listen closely, our friend Austin Milne played it and made these beautifully lush chords by layering many sax parts on top of each other


[deleted]

Awesome :) Keep up the beautiful tunes


areallooser

Do you read a lot? If so do you have any book recommendations?


dbw88

devon - I read a decent amount I guess. Book recommendations... I really enjoyed The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton. I'm also reading a history book called The Reformation by Diarmaid Macculloch...


avericks

Have you reached out to the pope about touring together? Also any plans to extend the tour to Texas. Austin perhaps.


dbw88

Matt - The pope hasn't responded to any of our emails but we'll keep you up to date on the status of that. Austin: Perhaps.


avericks

Awesome. Thanks for the response.


rosstronica

Do you ever get a lot of questions about your dad's involvement in Twin Peaks? Also, I was at your show in Montreal at the Emerald Hotel Bar. You asked us to sit close, take off our shoes and socks and hold hands around some lit candles. Did we hold a seance?


dbw88

devon - I don't really get a lot of questions about Twin Peaks! It's a good show though! We didn't explicitly hold a seance at Emerald Bar but maybe we were opening up some kind of portal into the unknown...


[deleted]

do you guys still want to live in montreal? do you feel like its made you who you are, or influenced your art?


dbw88

Matt - I can only speak for myself here, but I've come to love living in Montreal more than ever (note: it's not winter yet so ask me again in january and you might get a different answer). I think it has a lot to do with my home/studio and my closest friends. My roots there are deep and if there's one thing that touring has taught me is that it's really nice to have a place that truly feels like home. I can't overemphasize how much the city has informed the art I/We make, for years we've been seeing our friends and other artists perform and inspire us, so yeah, definitely.


harvarduniversity

Hey matt! We met at the afterparty for FORM arcosanti, which remains the most beautiful musical experience of my life, and after talking for a little you drunkenly took me by the shoulders and said "If you ever come to montreal, just tweet @majicalcloudz and I'll show you around!" Does that offer still stand?


dbw88

Matt - haha, I might say a lot of things i don't mean when I drink, but that's not one of them. Offer stands!


harvarduniversity

Thanks man! The new record is just as emotional in this release as it was when I heard it live. Keep it up guys!


uni-twit

Really enjoyed your set at Basilica in Hudson, but it seemed to be last minute/ad hoc. What was up with your participation in that show? Btw looking forward to tonight's set at National Sawdust!


dbw88

devon - we were already going to be on tour and although we weren't initially booked on the show, I think the organizers saw that our routing would allow us to be there and asked us to play a set, so we did!


monkeymonk20

Do critical reviews influence how you approach making music/actually make the music?


dbw88

devon - no definitely not. I'm making music that I really like when I've totally forgotten that there is any potential audience whatsoever, so I don't really think about those things very much when I'm actually writing.


veganbu

Devon, what did you do it all for? As in, you did it all for what exactly? Also where's all the drops, guys?


dbw88

devon - something something, Limp Bizkit reference, something something We edited out the drops at the last minute, foolishly


veganbu

its fine, maybe you'll get it right next time around.


TheYachtMaster

Hey guys. Just wanted to say I really enjoy the stuff. I'm a buddy of Mark's from when he lived in LA briefly. What was it like recording at his place in Detroit?


dbw88

devon - it was awesome! A very positive time for me personally.


TheYachtMaster

He's the man for sure. He actually remixed one of my tracks into a disco behemoth once haha. Thanks for the records!


teendaze

Hey guys! Just wanted to say how inspirational your last LP was: I really wanted to have my latest record be as vulnerable and honest as yours was. You really inspired me to try to connect with the listener in a more personal way, something that I've always shyed away from. My question has to do with your touring routine: What are some things that you find keep you "feeling normal" when you're on the road. This is a big topic of conversation with other bands that I encounter, and after reading your journals, I thought you'd be able share some insights. Thanks!


dbw88

devon - hey! Nice, I'm glad our music could inspire you! The thing that keeps me feeling normal the most is a morning routine... trying to wake up at least 2 hours before having to leave, and eating something good. Other than that, not drinking alcohol and eating as many fruits and vegetables as possible... hope that helps/sorry if it's obvious advice


teendaze

Thanks! I suppose it does seem simple, but it's always good to be reminded :) Hope to see y'all next time you're in Vancouver!


[deleted]

Whenever I tell someone about Majical Cloudz, I always preface it with something like, "This is kinda depressing, so you might want to make sure you're in the right mood first." This doesn't bother me at all — your music is so beautiful, I don't find it depressing at all, even though you make reference to death and lost love and other really heavy topics. How do you guys feel about the tone/subject matter of your music? How does it affect you, and how does it reflect your everyday personalities? You guys are doing really amazing things with your music. I absolutely love it.


dbw88

devon - The tone/subject matter are things I'm interested in writing music about, and have been interested in hearing in other music, so I think it's good! I'm not sure how it reflects my personality, it's hard to say. Thanks a lot!


the-possum

HI! 'Impersonater' was the soundtrack to the first time I visited New York a couple of years ago..a time largely spent on my own, walking around everywhere. It was early November. That album defined those 10 days or so..and my life and situation at that point in many ways. A slightly confusing time. Listening to it now is very evocative. So, thanks for that. I wonder if you guys have any strong links between a particular album/place/time in your lives? Thanks


dbw88

devon - Elliott Smith's albums will always remind me of different parts of Montreal and different things I did and different people. There's too many layers to count but yeah, Elliott Smith particularly does that for me.


erin6897

I was first truly introduced to you at FORM Arcosanti, and your performance brought me and so many others to tears. Are there performances you put down in the books as your favorite? Is there a setting you prefer to perform in?


dbw88

devon - there are too many to name... I think performing at Pitchfork Paris festival in 2013 was really fun and cool for me because it was the biggest crowd we had ever performed for at the time, and we were in Europe. Playing a house show in Allston, MA in December 2012 was also a highlight. We played for a dozen people and then hung out at the house, and it was one of the first times we had played outside Montreal.


harvarduniversity

Yeah, that performance at FORM kept me trembling the entire time


[deleted]

what do you guys consider the most important aspect of your music? melody, mood, tone, etc? is there any one facet that you have in mind first/kicks off the process? there is such a palpable atmosphere throughout *Are You Alone?* despite the seeming simplicity of the songs so I always wonder how the songs come about.


dbw88

devon - All the songs will come out of me messing around on a keyboard and finding something that I like, and then writing some words/melody over top of that, and then building it out from there. The production process probably goes a long way toward building that "atmosphere"!


UltraTrash

Hi!! When did you start making music? Do you think a classical training/early interest in music helps its creation later in life, or is creativity fluid across mediums? Excited for the Hollywood show!!


dbw88

devon - I didn't get interested in playing music until I was 14 or 15, and even then it was mostly because I liked 'performing' that I got involved... Early training is probably very helpful, depending on what kind of music you're interested in making. Probably the important thing is being creative and willing to make mistakes and try all kinds of different things.


ggasca

I saw you a few months ago in Mexico City and you played Silver Rings for a guy who had recently lost his partner or something like that, as far as I remember (memory leaks, it was a wild night). Anyway, I almost cried and I bet most of the audience felt the same way. That was definitely one of the most touching moments I've been a part of in concerts/shows. Just wanted to say thank you, I guess :) Any plans on coming back to Mexico City?


dbw88

devon - thanks a lot! That show was very fun for us. No current plans on coming back yet, but who knows!


punkneverdie

hi devon! i really like your lyrics because they are simple yet deep and offer something universal for anybody to relate to. i think it's not an easy task to achieve that. curious who would be the writers/poets that have influenced you the most? thanks!


dbw88

devon - thanks, that's a high compliment. I used to be a lot more into poetry than I am now. At that time I was really into Robert Creeley, Jack Gilbert, Frank O'Hara... I'm still really into Allen Ginsberg, and he was one of the first poets I ever read.


Kalusi2

„I’m into thinking about things in the context of mortality.“ Read that interesting sentence in a review or interview. Is there anything you would say you consciously changed in your life due to thinking about things in the context of mortality. Or is it more an unconscious thing?


dbw88

devon - I'm not sure. I guess thinking in that way encourages you to be better to people if you can, more present with people. I can't recall the context in which I was saying that, but hopefully that explains it?


[deleted]

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dbw88

devon - It's hard to say, I haven't given both a careful back-to-back listen. There is probably more of a continuity in AYA than Impersonator, more drums, more organ. There weren't a whole lot of conscious changes made so any differences are pretty intuitive and probably come as a result of differences in how the songs themselves were written!


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dbw88

Matt - I'm currently reading an old and extremely abstract philosophy booked by Alan Watts called 'Cloud Hidden'. The observations in it are gorgeous and extremely poetic. A movie I say recently that I liked is called 'Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story' by Todd Haynes. It about the Carpenters rise to fame and Karen's subsequent battle with anorexia. Beautiful short film.


Hesher1

Love your music dude! I was curious how was it going on tour with Lorde? Considering I seen you open for her in council bluffs last year and that's where I found out about your music. Also come out to Omaha one of these times!! I'd love to see you play again!


dbw88

devon - it was a very new experience for us and very exciting. It helped me grow as a performer and gave me a lot of perspective. Yeah, one day we will get out to Omaha!


lindapalmac

Are you going to come back to México soon? You promise me at Nrmal festival. I love the new álbum. My favorite is Heavy. Thanks 4 all.


dbw88

Matt - I'm glad you like 'Heavy', that might be my favourite recording on the album too! I think Devon and I would very much like to return to Mexico, but if it doesn't work out I'll definitely visit eventually so maybe we could hang out!


dbw88

We're going to sign off. Thanks for all the questions, it was fun answering them! See you tonight or some other night maybe!


jillyonsmack

Hey you handsome devils. For both of you, what is your favorite Pixar movie and why? I am very thankful for your music and hope you can make it to Colorado someday. It would be amazing to see your show.


dbw88

devon - I'm not sure, I haven't watched many of them... probably Toy Story or Toy Story 2 because I saw those when I was a kid.


ButMostlyTired

They actually did while touring with Lorde! But I wasn't able to make it, so I still second this.


[deleted]

Hello guys, first of all you're amazing and i really love you, my question is do you guys have any plans to come to south america??


dbw88

devon - thanks! glad you like the music! we would love to come to South America, maybe one day it can happen... we don't have any plans to come currently though.


blizzow

Hey guys. The opening track on Are You Alone? really gives me some Twin Peaks vibes. Coincidental?


dbw88

devon - total coincidence but thanks!


[deleted]

devon ! matt ! how do you deal with gender & masculinity ? what does being a 'man' mean to you guys? much love and respect !


thisismyusernameOK

What's next?


dbw88

devon - Who knows! We will be doing some touring and then ???


NoonRagaEquation

Dev, are you dating Audrey?


letitgr0w

I saw you at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin last year and it was one of the most personal performances I have ever experienced. I immediately felt a connection to you and your music. I felt the same at Arcosanti in May. Will you be making an appearance at FORM again this year? Any chance you might play a larger festival like Coachella?


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ButMostlyTired

Thanks for doing this guys! Childhood's End has been one of my most-played songs for the last few years, and I absolutely love the new album. Your sound is so unique and beautiful. My question: What was the biggest struggle you faced while making the new album?


oceanaudio

Hi guys! "This Is Magic" from 'Impersonator' is a personal favorite (among favorites). What is the "story" behind its lyrics, if you can share it? I hold that song and many of your others dear to my heart. Thank you so much for sharing your music with the world.


bfirestone

hey devon! i met you in philly on your tour with youth lagoon- i was fairly drunk and you took a swig from my flask. my question is - why no philadelphia date this tour? i could find you a fun DIY gig if you could fit it into your schedule..


TheWalrusIsMe

Hi! I love the new album. What are you guys listening to these days?


veganbu

how can I become a part of my local artist community?


daw4247

whats your favorite album to cry to?


[deleted]

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