Audioholics Interview with Steve Wilson

[gene]

Guys;

I am scheduled to interview Steve Wilson today on his latest solo effort "Grace for Drowning".

I have a pretty extensive list of questions to ask him but feel free to make any last minute suggestions here.

Here are some references about Steve Wilson:

Steve Wilson of Porcupine Tree on the Degradation of Audio Quality & the Music Industry — Reviews and News from Audioholics

Steve Wilson "Grace for Drowning" Blu-ray 5.1 Music Release — Reviews and News from Audioholics

 

[j_garcia]

Grace for Drowning tour? There were some dates back east that I suppose were promo for the album release, but nothing out here. I've been to practically every PT show here in the last 3-4 years (SF) and loved them all, but would like to get a chance to hear Insurgentes and GfD live too! **just looked at the current dates. Hoping for something out west

I am sure I could come up with a million questions too... Specifically about the state of music? I don't see Apple specifically as the cause, since MP3 was already around. It is just the fact that they took it to the next level. My questions would probably be: what are his thoughts on whether or not digital media of this type could be made viable and how we might go about getting there? MP3 isn't the problem, it is how it is being controlled IMO, so if we could make it more musician beneficial and consumer friendly (and quality of a certain level), is it really the way to go?

 

[gene]

Here is my Question roster for Steve:

Background for Grace for Drowning
• Can you give us the background story behind Grace for Drowning (GFD)? (ie. What is it about?)

• Listening to your music and watching the videos always leaves me with a bit of a creepy dreary feeling but I find it actually grows on you the more you listen. Does your music and message reflect your alter ego or do you typically walk around with bed sheets and tin foil wrapped around your head?

• Listening to GFD, I can hear heavy influences from bands like King Crimson, Jethro Tull, ELP and Yes. Would you say this album reflects the musical influences of that era?

• How did you get involved with working with Steve Hackett (formerly of Genesis) and what songs did he play guitar on in GFD?

• I’m a big Tony Levin fan. How much does he play on GFD and is he touring with you?

• On the GFD Blu-ray, I noticed a few peculiar things like having to select the song list to access the extras (ie. Pictures, videos, etc) and the slide show is manual). Do you plan on working on this interface more to make the interactive experience more intuitive to the user on future projects?

• I have to give you kudos on the 5.1 mix for GFD. Fidelity is top notch with plenty of Dynamic Range and LFE usage. We are big proponents on stressing the importance of preserving dynamic range in records as you can see in the numerous articles we’ve written. Can you share some thoughts on this topic?

Touring Questions
• What’s on your pedal board and why? (ie. effects pedals)

• Have you considered alternative venues to the House of Blues when visiting Orlando? Perhaps a place with better acoustics and places for its patrons to sit down and enjoy your show. One in particular we recommend is the Orlando Plaza Theater: The Plaza 'Live' Theatre

• Do you plan on releasing a Blu-ray of your live performance for GFD?

• Any plans on coming to Tampa with your show?

• Any plans on appearing on American Idol next year? (LOL joking of course)

Multi Channel Audio
• Part of what really drew me to Porcupine Tree music was the fact that you mixed all of their recent music in 5.1 high res audio. How did you get involved in this? Are you an Audioholic at heart?

• From what point of reference do you prefer to mix your multi channel surround albums? (ie, listener surrounded by the band or band in front of listener with only effects and ambience mixed to the surround channels)?

• What made you chose the DVD-A format or SACD back in the day when the format war ensued between the two?

• Are you glad we finally have a working standard (Blu-ray) for high resolution audio that also supports video?

• Do you have a high resolution audio system at your home or do you do all your critical listening at the recording studio?

• Are you well versed in home theater multi channel speaker setups and bass management?

Future Projects

• Do you foresee future solo albums and Porcupine Tree albums being released in the Blu-ray format?

• How did you meet up with John Wesley and do you plan on him becoming a permanent member of Porcupine Tree or your Solo projects?

• How did you get involved in re-mastering King Crimson albums into high res 5.1 and are there plans to re-master Adrian Belew era Crimson albums such as Discipline?

• Have you considered re-mastering other progressive rock bands into 5.1 such as Marillion (pre Marbles), Spock’s Beard, Glass Hammer, etc?

 

[j_garcia]

• Listening to your music and watching the videos always leaves me with a bit of a creepy dreary feeling but I find it actually grows on you the more you listen. Does your music and message reflect your alter ego or do you typically walk around with bed sheets and tin foil wrapped around your head?

LOL! Now that's what inquiring minds what to know

There is a pretty significant change from Insurgentes to GfD, so the question about what is GfD about is a good one can hopefully shed some light on that. Definitely two different places in time.

 

[gene]

I spoke with Steve today but it was via his Cell which had terrible delay and not good for recording. We are going to reschedule after his tour. I offered to send him this list of questions but he's not into typing responses LOL. Anyways, it was cool to briefly talk to the guy whose music I listen to so often.

 

[swspiers]

I spoke with Steve today but it was via his Cell which had terrible delay and not good for recording. We are going to reschedule after his tour. I offered to send him this list of questions but he's not into typing responses LOL. Anyways, it was cool to briefly talk to the guy whose music I listen to so often.

"How did you get involved in re-mastering King Crimson albums into high res 5.1 and are there plans to re-master Adrian Belew era Crimson albums such as Discipline?"

It's already released

 

[gene]

"How did you get involved in re-mastering King Crimson albums into high res 5.1 and are there plans to re-master Adrian Belew era Crimson albums such as Discipline?"

It's already released

Really? I haven't seen but I will look.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

My question for Steve:

What do you listen to music on when at home?

As an Audioholic I'd be curious to if he has a home theater or a rig to enjoy music with while not working. Purely for casual entertainment.

 

[j_garcia]

My question for Steve:

What do you listen to music on when at home?

As an Audioholic I'd be curious to if he has a home theater or a rig to enjoy music with while not working. Purely for casual entertainment.

He's got that one:

Do you have a high resolution audio system at your home or do you do all your critical listening at the recording studio?

 

[STRONGBADF1]

He's got that one:

Not exactly what I was asking. I am wandering about his casual listening enjoyment. I should have phrased the whole thought as my question.

I'd be curious about his critical listening habits at home also.

 

[baniels]

Not exactly a question. More to plant a seed of my desire.

I would love it if Steve would edge his way into the surround mixing seat of the forthcoming hi-res and multichannel RUSH releases. Nothing against Chycki, but ever since Rush played Anesthetize during intermission at one of their shows, I've been dreaming about them teaming up with SW.

I guess I can make a question out of that. Did Moving Pictures or this next project of RUSH's ever enter your sphere? Your having done similar work with Jethro Tull and King Crimson suggest this wouldn't be too much of a stretch.

 

[gene]

but ever since Rush played Anesthetize during intermission at one of their shows, I've been dreaming about them teaming up with SW.

What? Rush played a PT song? I'd like to see that.

 

[baniels]

No. I wish. They played Anesthetize over the PA during intermission, while RUSH was breaking between sets.

What? Rush played a PT song? I'd like to see that.

 

[swspiers]

Really? I haven't seen but I will look.

Gene- for gawds sake find it and get it. I may have found a new reference recording, and 'Indiscipline' is a fantastic piece that will test the mettle of just about any system out there. Subs will love the sonic onslaught of the Chapman Stick


My question for SW: does he ever sleep?

 

[djreef]

Gene- for gawds sake find it and get it. I may have found a new reference recording, and 'Indiscipline' is a fantastic piece that will test the mettle of just about any system out there. Subs will love the sonic onslaught of the Chapman Stick


My question for SW: does he ever sleep?

No kidding. Since James Brown passed he has, without question, taken the title as the hardest working man in showbiz.

DJ