DEVIN TOWNSEND To ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN In New Interview About Music And Friendship

Devin Townsend and Anneke van Giersbergen join We Wreck Records for a deep, funny and unexpectedly emotional conversation about music, friendship and the strange process of becoming human through art.

Across nearly 90 minutes, the longtime collaborators reflect on the chemistry behind their work together, the records that made people cry, and why music only works when it affects the artists making it, too. The episode also dives into Devin’s upcoming project The Moth, alongside conversations about authenticity, platonic love, trauma, transformation, creativity, touring, AI, Steve Vai, Enya and the emotional chaos of being alive. Expect an intimate conversation between two artists who genuinely trust each other. Hosted by Christina Rowatt.

Devin: “We’ve had the opportunity to record separate and together on an equal amount of occcasions, and there was one where Annie came to Vancouver, for Epicloud I believe, and when she sang the song ‘Angel’ I remember thinking to myself, ‘Okay, that does ‘the thing.” (laughs). Even though you refer to yourself as simply a guest, Annie, I would have to contest that and just say the power that comes out of you is something that magnifies anything that I do.”

Townsend recently shared the following update, including some unexpected touring news:

“Happy birthday to me! Man… 55! When I was younger, birthdays used to make me sad. I felt like it was unwarranted attention (perhaps because my sense of self worth was tied to what I did back then). These days, I don’t mind them at all. It’s usually a good excuse to spend the day doing nothing but what I want… (which, realistically, will probably be exactly what I do anyway.

So in light of that, why not start by doing something actually unexpected? A lot has been changing lately… things feel like they’re shifting everywhere, and this announcement is no exception: I’m heading out at the end of the year for a run of one man performances, and I’m very excited about it.

The Moth felt like the culmination of my musical life up to that point. And as it begins to take on a life of its own, I’m also aware of how much everything else is now in motion. Making this record took me and the team through a process of real self exploration, and it’s something I’ve seen reflected in a lot of people around me (and around the world) as well.

After spending the past couple of years working through things at home and the logistics of it all, it now feels like time to step back out into the wild. The chance to travel, tell these stories, and represent this body of work across different projects feels exciting again. It’s also the best way to reconnect with the people who make all of this possible, while doing the thing I love most: making music.

I’ve heard people say that The Moth feels like my ‘life’s work.’ Maybe that’s true on some level, but it also represents a version of my life that no longer exists, partly because of what it took to make it, and partly because of the closure that came from creating it. So moving into whatever comes next feels like the path now, and these shows are a way of introducing that.

So, yes. After dealing with the burnout and taking care of family and pets, I am going back out to play live. The twists and turns of this whole journey have led here: the Metamorphosis tour. It will be a solo set of songs and stories that pulls from everything that’s brought me to this point. Twenty three shows in ten countries across Europe.

Expect something different. The set will change from night to night, but the idea is simple: a modern take on a one man band. Just me, the music, a stage full of weirdness, and the stories behind it all.

For those hoping to eventually see The Moth performed live, I would love to do that when it feels right. But things have been heavy for a lot of people for a long time, and I don’t want to assume that’s what people need right now. This format feels like a more personal way to connect to start, and a way to share the full range of what I do for people who are new to my world. If the time comes to bring The Moth to the stage, I believe we will all know.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all again. Playing these songs and sharing where they came from is something I’m extremely grateful to be able to do.

So what do you say? Do you want to spend some time together?”

Tickets for Devin Townsend’s Metamorphosis Solo UK & European Tour 2026 go on sale Friday, May 8th at 10am UK time / 11am CET.

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