Steven Wilson: I've sacrificed family for music

Since the age of 10, Steven Wilson has been making music. Whether as a solo artist or the driving force behind Porcupine Tree, creating sound is simply what he does. And, here, he admits that his dedication to art has come at the expense of having a family. In a very personal and revealing interview, Wilson explains his motivation and general outlook on the music industry.
* Apparently This Matters is an interview series by Jarrett Bellini. The concept it simple: I have a case filled with postcards. On the back of each postcard, I write different topics. We pick these cards at random. And then we talk.
** My Production Gear:
www.jarrettbell...

[@JBrooksNYS]

"Ive sacrificed shoes for music"

[@MiscelaneaReview]

Nailed it.

[@GyroLamb]

He doesn't always wear shoes, but when he does, he wears chuck taylors. (Never seen him wear anything else) He should do a commercial for Converse, like the guy that does the alcohol commercials ''I don't always drink beer..but when I do''

[@SpejsKadet]

barefoot walking is awesome .It feels natural,and fluffy carpets are heaven :p

[@LilithSammael]

Yep, I love walking barefoot.

[@TheEric1203]

hey man, you do what you gotta do to get by

[@DavidOakesMusic]

Getting married and having kids solely because you think you have to is absolutely the wrong thing to do.

[@bassinblue]

Who says you can't be a musician and have a family at the same time?

[@Chuixupu]

Nobody did?

[@bassinblue]

Chuixupu Having a family is a great thing. I feel like this generation (my generation) is making it seem 'cool' or whatever.

[@Chuixupu]

Of course it is - but it's not for everyone. The point is, you have a family because you want to have a family, not because people tell you that you should or that something is wrong with you if you don't. The vast majority of people get married and have kids. No need to worry that it might suddenly be "uncool". More importantly, what an individual chooses for themselves is nobody's business but their own.

[@bassinblue]

Chuixupu Of course. It's all down to choice but unfortunately some people are pressured by family and this makes them toxic towards their kids that they didn't plan and to a husband/wife they don't really love deeply.

[@philfyphil]

I worked with Steven Wilson's father, Mike, an electronics engineer working on the latest mobile phone technology back in the 80s (who has sadly now passed away). I play and record myself and through the conversation I leaned his son did the same thing, playing and recording in his bedroom. The next day he introduced me to one aspect of Steven's music by passing me a cassette with some No Man material on it and I loved it, particularly 'Days In The Trees'. I've followed his progress ever since, right up to the present Hand Cannot erase.

[@bernifitzsimmons176]

Hell yeah man. Lovely story 😁

[@THERAMMSTEINFAN490]

Love the story man ❤️

[@guilhermegarcia7490]

Steven is Lucky to have someone like you as a friend! Hugs from Brazil and thanks for share your story.

[@brunolopesbarbosa9218]

when I saw the video title I imagined Wilson's family tied and crying while he holds a knife.

[@JarrettBellini]

Ha!

[@ToniBadea16]

Made my night! :))

[@JarrettBellini]

Really appreciate all the kind words about this interview. This series is a true labor of love, and getting to share my conversations with people like Steven Wilson is what keeps me up editing late at night. More music and more comedians and more everything to come! Thanks for watching. Thanks for subscribing. Thanks for sharing. You all get gold stars!

[@dmtgallardo]

thank YOU! :)

[@seansiegler]

Great interview! You really got him to talk about some interesting things. Thanks!

[@KingAlpaca]

And "Animals" is the best.

[@patrickparker8417]

Did the track about the dead sister effect your decision .

[@damarei]

Jarrett Bellini Thank you

[@dustsculpture]

Dude got married. The end!

[@frankribery3362]

:'(

[@andydavidson7595]

such a grounded guy always worth a listen!

[@andrejz8954]

Just the best profile pic ever! :)

[@grigy97]

Wow man , incredible interview . I've never seen Steven talk so freely about the music industry, his life and his origins! Fantastic job!

[@rhamses]

OMG, probably the best interview I saw in my life. When someone says that want to do a "cool interview" with some rockstar, THIS is what they should pursuit for. Awesome content man! Congrats

[@theAngusmaster101]

I love this man with a passion, relate to him on so many levels

[@Waverer]

I think this guy is 100% true. No pretense or rock n'roll image bullshit, just pure talent and creativity.

[@zumacraig]

He is right on with his comments about CDs and Vinyl. His CDs are mastered so dynamically and they sound excellent.

[@javono4484]

At the time I met Steven´s music (ten years ago?) you couldn´t find here in Argentina any cds of him. At all. So I met his music and he became a huge influence of me because of mp3s. And he was even able to come to Buenos Aires because of this digital era. I´m happy to see that he finally understood some of this concepts (as he changed his view about streaming, for example). I just wonder if the complaints you and Steven make are just the same every generations but in different shape (concepts like music and entertainment, people experiencing music other than just listening to it, the experience of a concert and so on). Not sure if society listening to music has gotten worse. It´s just different. Yeah, even the mobile screens in a show.

[@kantuckyjohn9804]

I'm stunned to hear that Dark Side isn't one of his favorites. I never heard of Steven Wilson till a few years ago and discovered him on KZbin after doing a search for Progressive Rock. I'm 62 and have maybe less than ten albums that I consider my all time favorites and Steven's 'Hand Cannot Erase' is one of those. His joins albums like Dark Side, Allman Brothers at East Filmore and a hand full of others for me. When you have an album you enjoy like these, it's ridiculously inexpensive...as if they're paying you as you get so much enjoyment from them over and over again. Thank you Steven for your hard work and your creativity

[@DaveMorrisonMusic]

How gracious he is to give a real thoughtful interview.

[@rezaadrian5620]

he is as old as my father.But he looks younger somehow XD

[@adstras]

Reza Adrian music keeps ya young!

[@cybersphere]

Kids age you

[@StarchaserArya]

bc he doesnt have kids

[@sheilasydneynotyerbizniz2933]

He's a vegetarian. You age better without meat. Kids keep you young as well (if you're an invested parent).

[@nir2594]

We love you Steven. And your fans love the fact that you're born in this era. We have no one else to look up to. Keep inspiring us.

[@darinlagarry3091]

Love this... I have to agree with everyone... this is probably the best SW interview out there. Kudos.

[@JarrettBellini]

Thanks, Darin!

[@DrakusRecords]

Steve Wilson says in this interview things I've been saying over and over again for years about the music industry. He's totally right.

[@hardrocker498]

I don't really enjoy using streaming sites like spotify and youtube, etc. But i do it out of necessity. I live and grew up in a small hamlet, outside a small town in Canada, and i have listened to and discovered hundreds of bands and artists via the internet and streaming, that i would never have been able to otherwise . I buy as much as i can on CD or Vinyl (its a trek to get anywhere that really sells them) and most of what i like, i cant find. So streaming was important to me, because it allowed me to explore and learn and discover, and then enjoy and experience a wealth of music that wouldn't have been available to me without it.

[@person1227]

I've only heard of Steven Wilson via Opeth many years ago but this interview has made me want to check out his music. I appreciate how he was critical of modern music industry and entertainment without coming across as condescending or pretentious. And that he understands the practical consequences of his points of view with regard to his music and how others perceive him. Wilson seems like the kind of guy who understands nuance and I respect that.

[@Czarnopolski]

And now he's got married! Go figure!

[@kramsniggah4333]

thinking and living outside of the box, not being pigeon-holed or just a statistic. Wherever Steven Wilson is and whatever he creates, puts his hands too or breaths on is special. The hardest working man in music - a genius, a gifted human and someone that makes my life better.

[@SAHogan-ih3bo]

Just the sort of thoughtful, intelligent, down-to-earth, honest interview you'd expect from this guy. Stimulating without being exhausting. SW is the kind of guy I'd enjoy having a beer with.

[@vorticity4]

Now that was a great interview. We too rarely get to hear what Steven Wilson thinks. ...regarding waiting for the next album, for me I only do that for Steven and his various projects. Great job Jarrett landing this one.

[@Darek_Burcz]

14.09.2019. Outdated interview ;)

[@cookiebasher5913]

I love Steven's (and Porcupine tree's) music so much and he seems very nice too

[@tykykable]

Animals is f*cking great.

[@JarrettBellini]

Best Floyd album by far.

[@tykykable]

Apparently This Matters I'd go as far as to say Pigs (three different ones) is the very best Floyd song, or at the least reflects the best of how to make a song memorable, catchy, but layered and never boring. Which is something Steven has become somewhat of a savant in achieving, in my opinion. Great video, great interview, and great opinions.

[@Velvet0Starship2013]

By FAR

[@eyrios9499]

Wish you were here, come on.

[@Velvet0Starship2013]

Okay... tie

[@davereyez4721]

You can tell Steven Wilson loves the sound of his own voice

[@FeelingShred]

Most people want to drag you to their misery, the biggest achievement in their lives and the only thing that brings a sense of control over their lives is mowing their lawns every weekend and scream at their dogs every 5 minutes. I despise that kind of life.

[@quemoniijzz8429]

Such a true and wise person. That's why his music touches the heart. 🌸

[@justsomeguywholosthismusta8495]

His first statements about plans being compromised and family being sacrificed reminded me of Arriving Somewhere...

[@bladerunner2106]

Brilliant interview with a very talented guy who is so down to earth and genuine.

[@connectican]

I saw Steven in Turin on June 26th. It was f'ing amazing! I didn't take too many pictures or video because I was too busy enjoying the rapturous moment. I'll never forget it. Great interview!

[@fugithegreat]

Steven Wilson is one of music's best-kept secrets. It makes you feel like you're in on something special and exclusive.

[@willianmendes524]

I've seen him performing almost a year ago. That's a night I'll always remember. Steven Wilson is no doubt one of the best musicians of our time.

[@harrylongofficial6248]

its odd because, I too have sacrificed romantic relationships for the love of learning and playing music. believe me, if someone comes along that loves music with the same level of passion as me but also likes me, i would try a relationship. problem is, i spent my whole teen years with my head in music but always keeping one eye open incase someone came along. So unlike Steven Wilson I am open and would like a relationship with the right person, its just im a boring person outside of music but not apologetic about it iether.

[@memeq]

HarryGuitarYT Maybe you didnt sacrificed much, did you? Otherwise I would be watching your interview.

[@tusharkaushik2315]

sacrifice*

[@Tordah90]

Dude is so eloquent and extremely articulate

[@sacredxgeometry]

There's gotta be more to this! Damn fine interview...very, very "important" and "aware", too. Always loved this mentality.

[@01jvsvijay]

Amazing one. Before clicking, I thought I will see only few parts but my mind changed and I am now wanting to share it all over.

[@arpitj795]

come to India steven, we will accept you with open arms. Your music is a learning for life.

[@XiyuYang]

ARPIT J pretty sure he just went there last year

[@0Imtheslime0]

Does he ever wear shoes?

[@ThinWhiteAxe]

He's got slippers somewhere down there...

[@thatonedude675]

He has a weird thing against shoes. Talked about how he would come out of concerts with bloody feet and be like "still ain't wearing em."

[@Chuixupu]

I see him with shoes while not on stage fairly often (always Converse). He actually brings his own carpet with him to put down on the stage and has the crew make sure to vacuum it for him every night before the show to make sure he doesn't step on shit anymore. Clearly became more of a thing post mid 90's though because whenever I look at the early PT shows around '94-'96, he's always wearing shoes.

[@Chuixupu]

Apparently he once stepped on a used syringe needle. I'd be a bit traumatized after that.

[@mbw6785]

Chuixupu being very familiar with needles and syringes (type 1 diabetes for 20+ years) this comment gives me the heebie jeebies like you wouldn't believe. yeah, accidentally standing on a needle would be traumatic. reading it made me feel it going into my skin.

[@highartalert6927]

6.36 to 6.56 & 12.20 - Such amazing, golden moments !!! A great many thanks to the uploader ;-) (y)

[@brentcrude8565]

Steven is absolutely right about the experience of Vinyl. After all, it's where the term "record collection" originated. I do really miss the days when that was the only way to do it, and the feeling of satisfaction and pride of building an amazing (and tangible!) record collection -- especially if you're young with limited resources and have to save and budget as you plan your next music purchase.

[@number4legend]

I love his take on discs and vinyl. He would certainly know. Now finding people that will properly master albums is another thing.

[@Blue_Pumpkin]

Keep calm and love Wilson

[@biancachristie]

Flash forward to 2024: Steve is married, has kids, and settled in North London with the fam and rescue dogs. He's never been predictable, and you gotta love him for that

[@Scotlanz]

This is a brilliant interview. As I am someone who doesn't really enjoy live gigs, is in awe of what the Beatles achieved and writes and records a load of songs that no one will ever hear it, listening to this guy was spooky. I will now, of course, listen to some of his music but I feel like I already have because this was music to my ears. 😀✌️

[@Jakob-B]

Who doesn't have respect for Steven, his a great guy, his a musical genius, he makes awesome music!.

[@ytsejam58]

I actually found Steven Wilson through Spotify. But I liked it so much, I bought the MP3 and I am eagerly waiting for the vinyl to come in the mail! (I'm bypassing CDs)

[@alannicolle3361]

I agree with a previous "commenter." probably the best Steven Wilson interview I have heard. Loved it.

[@arturoaaronabarcaotayza7544]

Steven Wilson is an entity that will transcend in space and time!!!

[@letitiablanker3169]

He is so right! So many kids with musician parents have a hard life. Dad is always on the road and the kids are a side track. It suits him that he prefers to do it right or don't do it at all.

[@natalieemmens4846]

what a nice interview ! I always always check his interviews, this one a watched twice. I love it when artists, especially SW, talks about their work. He speaks so well !

[@aleksandrastawiarska2820]

I love Steven and especially his music

[@phillip9398]

I love all of Steven music 🎶 it makes me feel like I am not alone when I am alone Phillip jeffery barnhill

[@MawcDrums]

Excellent interview. Thank you for this! Why are likes / dislikes disabled? I would like this 50 times if I could!

[@JarrettBellini]

Weird. They seem to be working. (inserts shrugging imoji guy here)

[@adrianaslund8605]

I always read this as "I sacrificed my family for music" as if he made them into a burnt offering to Apollo or something.

[@emjanusz3490]

This is one of the best musician interviews I've ever watched. Thanks!

[@basicoptimalmouse]

I'm on that album track by track train. No better way to listen to actual artists than the way they intended. Even if they aren't progressive, there's still something special about listening to the order they decided.

[@shauntbarry]

I met him in the early 90's.. Very intelligent guy

[@thefluxcapacitor1]

Wow. Awesome interview. I watched it twice. I'll probably watch it again.

[@felianeelam2388]

Amazing interview! best musician ever. Thank you @apparently this matters.

[@stevem6963]

Completely agree, nothing wrong with CD's, much better sound than vinyl.

[@emnabelhaj9616]

I'vE sAcRiFiCeD fAmIlY fOr MuSiC

[@seanhebert1689]

Thanks for being so REAL Steven. Real talk.

[@illuminatiCorgi]

This is actually the one reason I hate the internet. It has taken away our excitement, and our enjoyment in terms of media. I remember when me and my twin brother were growing up, we'd look forward to the new Korn, Machine Head or Slipknot album, like Christians waiting for the second coming of Christ. The day the album would come in the mail was like Christmas-we'd head upstairs to our CD player, look at the album art, read the sleeve notes and see who the band thanked, and then we'd start listening, and we would listen to the entire god damn thing. My point being is that listening to a new album, or waiting for a new movie used to be this exciting, long awaited thing, that the internet has stripped down via piracy. It's sad really. The only way to even get close to it is buying vinyl...

[@Windavee]

I'm very happy for him having the two things now

[@fcastle13]

excellent interview. refreshing to gain insight from a true musician compared to dj's

[@professorwolf3843]

Really great interview here. Very interesting watch. I agree with him about most live shows. Steven brings up some great points about music in this day and age.

[@gerardochaparro]

What a great interview!!

[@analauraaleinn1623]

Amazing interview! I haven't seen any other musician who thinks like him.

[@whitelight7733]

Loved this interview.... glad I found it...so glad the name "Tool" was mentioned! Anyways, I look forward to all the music Steven will bring out in the future. p.s. I love listening to "Hand. Cannot. Erase." while walking in the woods by the lake....amazing! Thank you Steven for all you have given us...

[@666santilmo]

awestruck, this guy is really a genius

[@kansascityonline]

"feel the art"... would be a great Steven Wilson song!....

[@Phoenix4717]

thank you! that was a great interview!

[@deceiver444]

Great interview.

[@nishthalama]

This is proof enough that opinions n choices can change 😁

[@domwindom]

Thank you for your sacrifice Steven

[@figeon]

His lively voice contrasts so much to the ghostly moan of his in porcupine tree.

[@DriftingTricky]

Great interview!

[@fortadelis]

Amazing artist.

[@Bhomik98]

Lmao to this video now.

[@PrashannaGauta]

god i love this guy

[@HermeticAscetic22]

Great interview! Enjoyed watching.

[@Firegardenmusic]

Great interview

[@jFrenetic]

I can relate to so many things he's saying. I think I may have found my twin brother :)

[@BionicleSaurus]

10:17 On the contrary, I'll be picking up Fear and The Incident on CD right quick because they're not on PT's Spotify 👍

[@williamrustrum]

Such an interesting dude. Thanks for this interview, loved it.

[@galaxophone]

this is a surprisingly awesome interview - good show to both parties :)

[@galaxophone]

though a more catchy title might have been something like, "steven wilson calls tool an easy target"

[@SirRamone]

BLOODY AWESOME !!!

[@SergioRTvisual]

Nice Interview, Steven is an amazing musician, greetings from Perú ;)

[@cristobalgazali3095]

It's like he says exactly what I think but he knows that all better than me.

[@TolgaHanKayaTR8R]

IRONIC

[@kimia1664]

Watching this again after he got married. Music be like: “Steven, you betrayed meeeee” 😁

[@harshshitole6293]

Genius

[@andyfox8377]

He's 50 years old! Has he found the fountain of youth????

[@jimjablonski2678]

I like that Porcupine Tree!!!

[@myezecky7422]

This is me with my art. That's the decision he made at the time. Things change.

[@shakesquare8380]

o my god... he is happy.

[@bwb8651]

SW is THE MAN!!!