Steven Wilson Takes Listeners to Space with The Overview
- Steven Wilson, a British musician frequently enough described as a genius, has single-handedly revitalized progressive rock.
- On march 14, he released his new concept album, The Overview, featuring just two tracks, one clocking in at 23 minutes and the other at 18 minutes.
- franceinfo: There's a hint of Pink Floyd in your sound, as usual, but ultimately, you sound like no one but yourself.
Steven Wilson: Resurrecting Progressive Rock with a Unique Vision
Table of Contents
- Steven Wilson: Resurrecting Progressive Rock with a Unique Vision
- Steven Wilson: A Deep Dive into His Music, influences, and “The Overview”
- Who is Steven Wilson, and why is he considered a key figure in progressive rock?
- What is “The Overview Effect,” and how does it influence Steven Wilson’s music?
- What makes Steven Wilson’s new album, “The Overview,” unique?
- How did Pink Floyd influence Steven Wilson’s musical style?
- What are Steven Wilson’s upcoming tour dates?
- How does Steven Wilson view his role as a musician and artist?
- how did Steven Wilson’s father influence his musical journey?
- Why did Steven Wilson include just two lengthy tracks on ’The Overview’ Album?
- Was releasing ‘The Overview’ album a brave or foolish move, considering its unconventional track lengths of 23 and 18 minutes?
- Key Elements of Steven Wilson’s Musical Approach
Steven Wilson in Switzerland, 2019″>Steven Wilson, a British musician frequently enough described as a genius, has single-handedly revitalized progressive rock. This multi-instrumentalist is deeply influenced by the “overview effect,” a profound sense of awe and anxiety experienced by astronauts when viewing Earth from space. With his band Porcupine Tree, formed in the mid-80s, he became a worthy successor to the English progressive rock tradition, reminiscent of Pink Floyd. His project No-Man also propelled him into the realm of electronic sound.
On march 14, he released his new concept album, The Overview, featuring just two tracks, one clocking in at 23 minutes and the other at 18 minutes. He is scheduled to perform in Paris on May 24, 25, and 26, in Lyon on May 28 and 29, and in Marseille on June 11.
A Conversation with Steven Wilson
franceinfo: There’s a hint of Pink Floyd in your sound, as usual, but ultimately, you sound like no one but yourself. Did you have fun making this album?
Steven Wilson: “One thing that I love to do when I record an album is to surprise my fans. When I knew that I was going to write an album about this phenomenon of ‘the overview effect’, I thought that it should be a film, a feature film, or a novel, not short songs. So, for me, it suggested a large musical piece. People who listen to rock,they are familiar with the tradition of progressive groups who write longer compositions,which unfold little by little in a more unpredictable way. My father really brainwashed me when I was little, with Dark Side of the Moon, he played it on repeat.”
The Poetic Dimension of The Overview
The latest album showcases a heightened poetic dimension compared to Wilson’s previous work. There’s a sense that he’s allowing himself to embrace his emotions and feelings more openly.
franceinfo: I woudl like to talk about this poetic dimension that is more present in this album compared to what you have offered us before. We feel that for a very long time, you were protecting yourself.You are allowing yourself today, in any case, to have this poetic side and to embrace your emotions and feelings. Has that changed?
Steven Wilson: “I think I’ve learned to appreciate being a frontman, a leader and a solo artist. When I fell in love with the notion of music, the first time, I never fell in love with the idea of being a celebrity. It was the opposite, I almost wanted to be anonymous. But what I wanted to be was someone who controlled the creativity of these wonderful things.”
For a very long time, my interest was onyl to be in the studio, to be able to paint with sound and create these musical adventures, these auditory films.
Steven Wilson, speaking to franceinfo
Wilson enjoys discussing music and is fascinated by the creative process and its evolution. He embraces his role as a spokesperson for an choice approach to music creation, drawing parallels to writing novels or making films.
The Influence of an Engineer Father
Wilson’s creative journey was significantly shaped by his father, an engineer who built machines that enabled his early recordings. This early access and support were instrumental in Wilson’s development as a musician.
franceinfo: What is very engaging is the creative process brought by your engineer father. That is to say, the first moments when you recorded your music, it was really with machines that he had created, him. We understand who put you on the path so that you could be a force of proposal.
Steven Wilson: ”Absolutely. I was very lucky because all I had to do was go see my father and say: ’Can I make this sound, Dad? can you find it?’ And he did it.It was in the 80s, so well before the Internet. My father bought electronic kits, he managed to understand how to make these things himself. Such as, we built a sequencer. A sequencer is like a drum machine, but he was not a musician, so he did not understand that most of the music was in four beats.He bought nine components and it was in nine beats. Everything I created had to be in this avant-garde rhythmic signature. It pushed me to go into more complex music, because I had to find a way to incorporate that into my sound.”
Contemplation and Perspective
The Overview invites listeners to contemplation, encouraging a broader perspective on our place in the universe.
franceinfo: in the Overview,you invite us,I feel,to contemplation. Is that the goal of the game?
Steven wilson: “I think we have to go back to this word of perspective.Yes, contemplating is another way of saying it. It is to remind people how many billions of years our planet has been around.”
We have only been here for five minutes, basically, and we think of ourselves as the saviors of our planet.
Steven Wilson, speaking to franceinfo
Wilson emphasizes the importance of recognizing our brief existence in the grand scheme of time, urging listeners to gain perspective on our role in the cosmos.
Heroic or Foolish?
releasing an album with just two lengthy tracks is a bold move, potentially limiting radio airplay but appealing to listeners who appreciate immersive musical experiences.
franceinfo: It’s still brave to release an album with two tracks.It will not be broadcast on the radio because 23 minutes is not possible on the radio. On the other hand, it is indeed really aimed at people who take the time.
Steven Wilson: “Courageous is a word that can be used, but, ‘stupid’ is another word that would fit perfectly!”
Steven Wilson: A Deep Dive into His Music, influences, and “The Overview”
Steven Wilson, a British musician often hailed as a genius, has considerably impacted progressive rock. His latest work, “The Overview,” showcases his unique artistic vision. This Q&A explores his influences, creative process, and the ideas behind his new album.
Who is Steven Wilson, and why is he considered a key figure in progressive rock?
Steven Wilson is a highly acclaimed British musician, multi-instrumentalist, and producer.HeS considered a pivotal figure in revitalizing progressive rock.He’s known for his work with:
Porcupine Tree: A band he formed in the mid-80s, becoming a successor to the English progressive rock tradition, often compared to Pink Floyd
No-Man: A project that delves into electronic soundscapes
Solo Work: He has released numerous solo albums, each exploring complex themes and musical arrangements.
What is “The Overview Effect,” and how does it influence Steven Wilson’s music?
The “overview effect” is a profound sense of awe and altered viewpoint experienced by astronauts when viewing Earth from space.It involves:
a feeling of interconnectedness
a shift in priorities
a heightened awareness of the planet’s fragility
Wilson is deeply influenced by this concept, prompting contemplation on humanity’s place in the universe.
What makes Steven Wilson’s new album, “The Overview,” unique?
“The Overview,” released on March 14, is a concept album featuring only two tracks:
One track is 23 minutes long.
The other track is 18 minutes long.
This format is a bold move against typical radio-amiable song lengths, appealing to listeners who appreciate immersive, extended musical experiences.
How did Pink Floyd influence Steven Wilson’s musical style?
Wilson acknowledges the influence of Pink Floyd, specifically mentioning “Dark Side of the Moon” as a formative album played repeatedly by his father during his childhood. While echoes of Pink Floyd might potentially be present, Wilson strives for a unique sound.
What are Steven Wilson’s upcoming tour dates?
Steven Wilson is scheduled to perform in:
Paris: May 24, 25, and 26
Lyon: May 28 and 29
Marseille: June 11
How does Steven Wilson view his role as a musician and artist?
Wilson sees himself as a creative force, using sound to paint musical adventures and auditory films. while he initially sought anonymity, he has embraced his role as a frontman and leader, controlling the creative aspects of his work.
how did Steven Wilson’s father influence his musical journey?
Wilson’s father, an engineer, played a crucial role in his early musical development by:
Building machines that enabled Wilson to record his music.
* Providing tools and knowledge to experiment with sound.
Why did Steven Wilson include just two lengthy tracks on ’The Overview’ Album?
According to Steven Wilson, the concept of ‘The Overview Effect‘ suggested a large musical piece more akin to a film or a novel then short songs.This approach aligns with the tradition of progressive rock groups known for writing longer, unpredictable compositions.
Was releasing ‘The Overview’ album a brave or foolish move, considering its unconventional track lengths of 23 and 18 minutes?
Steven Wilson humorously acknowledges that it could be seen as both “courageous” and “stupid.” He recognizes that the album’s length makes it unsuitable for radio airplay but hopes it will appeal to listeners willing to invest the time for an immersive musical experience.
Key Elements of Steven Wilson’s Musical Approach
| Element | Description |
| ——————- | —————————————————————————— |
| Creative Goal | Surprise fans and explore ambitious musical concepts.|
| Song Structure | Prefers longer compositions that unfold gradually. |
| Lyrical Themes | Explores profound themes like the “overview effect” and humanity’s place. |
| Studio Focus | Emphasizes painting with sound and creating auditory experiences. |
| Artist Evolution | has grown to appreciate being a frontman while prioritizing creative control. |