The Steven Wilson Interview: The Modern Rock Producer

In this episode I interview Steven Wilson He is the founder, guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Porcupine Tree, as well as being a member of several other bands, including Blackfield, Storm Corrosion and No-Man. He is also a solo artist, having released 6 solo albums since his solo debut Insurgentes in 2008. In a career spanning more than 30 years.
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[@sythvl2278]

The 3 album run of In absentia, deadwing, and fear of a blank planet is a level of genius rarely matched.

[@ludovicartu4239]

Lightbulb Sun is up there with them also. Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled might be my favorite PT song.

[@sythvl2278]

@@ludovicartu4239 saw that live on the recent tour! Awesome

[@TheFergie9]

Don't forget the other musicians involved..its not just Steven's input with Porcupine Tree

[@BonzoDrummer]

"Stupid Dream" through "The Incident" is all top-tier.

[@kristofferrosvall8709]

Signify to Fear is all at least 8 out of 10 albums for me.

[@stevemuzak8526]

Steven Wilson is the most known unknown musician on this planet. To me his music is as important as King Crimson, The Beatles or Pink Floyd. Steven is 100% modern legendary musician.

[@isaiasabinadisosagarcia936]

Completely agree. Every time somebody I know becomes interested in his music I personally feel very achieved. My wife started getting into him even though she was never into rock music growing up, and now she shares my excitement when people from her university get interested in Steven

[@DarkHound9999]

He also named a song after you ;) :D

[@Maxmarts]

Amen

[@jovenintensa]

What are you talking about? he filled the arena when he came to Santiago just a few weeks ago. In no way, shape or form that counts as unknown.

[@jayclean5653]

@@jovenintensa He's pretty unknown to the mainstream.

[@ralelunar]

"Imperfection is personality." That's a fantastic quote.

[@BigBass-xf5yi]

The interview that I have been dyin to hear. Steve’s music is top of the food chain. And he’s been at it for so long. Yet he looks like he’s still in his 30s , yet he’s almost 60. Crazy. I hope he never stops creating his wonderful offerings

[@doggity5149]

He's not almost 60. He's 54. But yes, Steven doesnt look anywhere near his actual age

[@doggity5149]

To be fair, in early PT years he also looked way younger, almost like a 16 year old kid, didn't really work for him then xD

[@omgkong777]

he has retained something childlike and that makes a lot of difference, not just the pure look. very pleasant. If you don't have any nasty dark sides that we don't know about, you're a cool dude, Steven ;-)

[@Bryan8329]

They say it’s his vegetarianism. I think it’s not wearing shoes on stage

[@isuckatguitar6252]

@@Bryan8329 😂😂😂

[@sporkpilot]

Rick goes from not talking about Porcupine Tree hardly at all, to interviewing Steven Wilson himself!!! I LOVE THIS CHANNEL!!!

[@Chaviacegram]

🖕🖕Congratulation you have been selected among my shortlisted winner's..🎁

[@manuelper]

Rick really needs to do a WMTSG about Porcupine Tree.

[@relativetimeworx8459]

Rick goes from not talking about PTree on his channel, to interviewing Steven Wilson and not talking about PTree in the interview!

[@larrycass3198]

Your spot on spork pilot! I think Rick saw PT getting Big Concert Crowds and It Appears it Caught Rick Attention? “Steven Wilson” is without ? a Musical Genius!

[@JayPoole1986]

@@manuelper Yep "Arriving Somewhere but Not Here" needs the Beato treatment

[@davidlaw689]

Steven Wilson IS the greatest artist you've never heard of ! Thank you Mr Beato for giving SW a platform and exposure

[@jcout25]

Ahhhh....he's pretty well known, dude. He's been making music since the 80s. I think you mean all the tik-tok children don't know who he is. But anybody who is an actual musician or truly enjoys music, knows exactly who he is.

[@davidlaw689]

@@jcout25 To us who watch Rick’s channel he probably is, but to the general populace he isn’t.

[@KOTFPirateRadio]

Couldn't agree more. Well said.

[@thomasowen2148]

coudnt say it better

[@giovanni21mas]

@@jcout25 obviously that´s not the case, he´s very well known in our niche community but he is not a house hold name

[@youngjdi]

Steven isn’t about how much of a genius he is. He’s about how hard he works.

[@Linixion]

Absolutely! Such inspiring commitment.

[@coreyclark6505]

…all while being a genius…

[@Tityretupatulae]

@@coreyclark6505 😂

[@carlosgonzalez2764]

That's exactly why at the end he ended up being a genius.

[@MoonmanSpacejam]

Gavin Harrison was a real driving force for porcupine tree

[@O_U_No_It_2]

Opeth productions have always blown me away, hearing new layers at every listen. My discovery of Porcupine Tree fairly recently, woke me up to sonic beauty in fascinating new ways. And his sublime solo career with insanely creative "friends," is equally impressive. Love what this man creates.

[@gaycha6589]

Can you recommend Opeth listening and order?

[@ZauTa]

​@@gaycha6589 Depends what you like. If you like rock and folk start with Damnation then go to the post-watershed albums (Heritage, Sorceress, Pale Communion and In Cauda) and then see if you can get into Ghost Reveries or Blackwater Park, then watershed and deliverance, then still life and my arms, then morningrise and orchid. If you like really proggy stuff then start with Watershed and the post watershed albums and then whatever after that. If you like extreme metal then My arms through watershed in order, then orchid and morningrise, then the post-watershed albums in reverse order (In cauda -> Sorceress -> Pale Communion -> Heritage).

[@peaks_ahead7697]

"Storm corrosion" by Opeth and Steven Wilson

[@gaycha6589]

@@ZauTa thank you

[@ryukan250]

​@@gaycha6589 Windowpane The Drapery Falls To Bid You Farewell The Baying of the Hounds Hessian Peel The Moor Advent A Fair Judgement When

[@shadownet_nft]

Amazing band, all killer, no filler. Gavin Harrison is one of the greatest drummers I ever heard.

[@skyhawkheavy7524]

Oh yes for sure! He s a beast, sounds great and very musical! Love that guy

[@shadownet_nft]

Drive home makes me cry, Guthrie man, gotta be inspired by him.

[@ins1demanwhitaker527]

Facts

[@clydevickers2684]

@@shadownet_nft Routine

[@Driver2616]

Don’t forget Chris Maitland…

[@filipedoria9561]

This guy is the prog rock in person of our century

[@Chaviacegram]

🖕🖕Congratulation you have been selected among my shortlisted winner's 🎁

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

Incredible song writer, musician, singer, producer and engineer. Non-to mention the fact that he probably never sleeps given the body of his work over the last three decades.

[@sietchtabr5120]

@@tinfoilhatter frog rock🐸 for a 21st Century Schizoid jump

[@AUTOSAD777]

NO! Don't say it! It's the dirty word! lol

[@sietchtabr5120]

@@AUTOSAD777 ok ok you're not wrong 😄 but it could become a blank planet 😱

[@johnnycto7576]

The solo by Guthrie in Drive Home is mesmerizing.

[@Ziqohth]

it made me cry everytime i listened to lol, i never thought a guitar solo could made me feel that way. incredible.

[@benr7965]

@@Ziqohth me too. just did again... for the 40th time probably

[@disco4535]

Yes! And Regret #9's solo is even better

[@Jmilillo]

Regret #9 is even better! Love that solo

[@wildizer]

it is -sublime - I well up emotionally every single time I hear it. I never thought anyone could do that to me apart from Gilmour.

[@Brotelho2]

Fear of a Blank Planet is one of the most brilliant albums I’ve had the pleasure to listen to.

[@Terraceview]

I agree.

[@jonathanpusar5931]

Great social commentary too that's only gotten even more relevant in the age of influencers and Tiktok

[@hhaannnnaahh222]

​@@jonathanpusar5931100%

[@manuel_ao]

I agree with you. Most people choose In Absentia as their favourite SW album and, while it is also great, Fear of a Blank Planet is, for me, his pinnacle. Anesthesize is the perfect music piece of the 2000's.

[@kylejones4834]

Fear of a Blank Planet was, for a very long time, my favorite Porcupine Tree record. Though, as I've gotten older and been listening to SW's music for longer (been an avid listener since '08), Deadwing, which I've always loved, is the album I grab first these days. Arriving Somewhere is, to me, a perfect song. I've got a personal list of 10/10 songs that I find to be music at its absolute finest. Arriving is among those (Anesthetize is too). Ask me a few years ago and id say my favorite PT album was FoaBP, but now I'd probably say Deadwing. In Absentia is fucking killer too. Favorite Steven Wilson solo record is Grace for Drowning with Hand.Cannot.Erase at two and Raven at three, though all three among my favorite records of all time and have been on heavy rotation since each of their releases.

[@rifqikhairul7458]

Hand cannot erase is the best concept album that steven ever made and my all time favorite record. steven is really musical genius in this century

[@rifqikhairul7458]

@@MrRickBeato01. thank you sir 🤩

[@jimmycampbell78]

@@rifqikhairul7458 rifqi, that's a fake spambot channel, it's not Rick - do not reply to it.

[@powermetallistic2293]

I just can't learn to like that album. I'm more of a PT person but if I had to choose and album of Steven's solo career I'd go with the Surgentes.

[@SharkVsTree]

@@powermetallistic2293 I's say those are his two best solo records. Insurgentes has an incredibly dark, overarching doom and dread to it, with moments of sheer beauty woven into it. Hand Cannot Erase is a compelling concept and has some of Guthrie Govan's greatest work on it. Hard for me to say which one is better because they're so different.

[@Thewestslope]

Agreed. Love HCE. For me, To the Bone is the best solo Wilson album. Perhaps because I am a big fan of Talk Talk.

[@MustObeyTheRules]

Steven is an absolute living legend. One of the few artists keeping my love for music alive.

[@davidhuggan6315]

One of the many artists keeping my love of new music alive.

[@CptSaturn]

I'm glad there are people like Steven Wilson in today's music industry, to balance all the massproducerad crap.

[@bdamia]

Agreed. Most of the mass-produced crap is miss-produced as well.

[@robb4340]

So True, Listening to his Album The Harmony Codex. Awesome Music, Textures & Sound and Production is Awesome.

[@kisawisa1769]

There's so much good songwriting talent out there, but it is so often ruined by mainstream "production".

[@davidhuggan6315]

Agreed. There are alot of great new bands. Many are influenced by 70s and 80s music. It's great.

[@subvertedworld]

Here I've been DYING to see Rick talk about some Porcupine Tree songs and then he drops THIS! PLEASE do a "what makes this song great" with ANY Porcupine Tree song.

[@BonzoDrummer]

It's about time Rick covered PT/SW. Would love to get a "What Makes This Song Great" about them.

[@ogulcanyolcu8714]

Anesthetize

[@jimmc2990]

Yes!! It would follow naturally that Rick loves SW's work, so this would be perfect...

[@BonzoDrummer]

@@ogulcanyolcu8714 Halo.

[@henningpelkmann7131]

I think what Rick held back for that was: “Where to begin?” 😉

[@blakemaxfield4267]

Arriving Somewhere but not here

[@WarhawkBeyond2040]

What an amazing interview and a hell of a coup to have Steven Wilson on the channel. Absolutely loved this.

[@ericfitzgerald9214]

Yes I agree! And its a treat to see that Steven Wilson is just as interesting and intelligent as the music he creates.

[@barnz008]

Opeth ‘Damnation’ is a flippin masterpiece. That’s about all I have to say about this Steve guy here. 😁

[@fcamiola]

Agreed! Deliverance and BWP are amazing as well! Bleak.....

[@grungeman86]

My top 5 favorites of all time for absolutely ever.

[@coreyclark6505]

Those Opeth albums and Mike Portnoy always talking about In Absentia…. That was a great era.

[@fcamiola]

@@coreyclark6505 I know....Opeth and Porcupine Tree co-headlining in 2003! I can't believe I missed that.

[@coreyclark6505]

@@fcamiola I was at the Detroit MI show. F’n brilliant. Goes down as one of the most memorable things I’ve watched.

[@monicab7272]

I will sheepishly admit that I had never heard of Steven Wilson before I saw this amazing interview. for the past two weeks I've been diving in and learning everything I can. So excited to discover a new (to me) artist. I feel like a teenager discovering a new favorite band. (The 80's was my formative era, BTW)

[@Jake123557]

As a long time Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree fan, this makes me so happy! Enjoy the ride

[@joshs7642]

Porcupine tree is the best band that hardly anyone has heard of. Incredibly underrated.

[@kekotorres3700]

Welcome to Steven Wilson Land, Monica. You won’t be disappointed!

[@curtistreska9803]

Wish I was you, happy listening !

[@KermRiv]

Trains- porcupine tree

[@consentofthegoverned5145]

I loved hearing Steven's take on Guthrie's solo on Drive Home. That solo deserves UNESCO protection.

[@divinefallfromgrace]

Seconded.

[@TheMazzimM]

Thirded

[@TheBuglemouthBass]

Infinitied. My favorite guitar solo of the 21st century.

[@christianthomassen8420]

@@TheBuglemouthBass same here, its phenomenal

[@estebanjara886]

Yeah!!

[@tripaulyd1]

What a great producer. He was co-producer on 3 of the earlier Opeth albums. Legendary results.

[@dh1380]

Hmmmmm that's debatable

[@andrewdrewT]

@@dh1380not at all

[@MattGarratt]

I will never get enough of Steven Wilson's insights and wisdom.

[@hhaannnnaahh222]

I feel exactly the same 😅

[@ernestoleighton3067]

I am an extreme metal fan and I got to know Steven Wilson because of his long proximity with Opeth, a progressive death metal band. He produced their record Blackwater Park, which is all-time favourite record and it is a stunning piece of art.

[@Weloz92]

I don't listen to a lot of death metal, but that album is one of my favourites to listen to just for the incredible atmosphere and sound (especially on a moody November day).

[@nintzelj]

fantastic album! Steven was also a guest musician on it too. Steven also played on Deliverance as well as the lush Damnation. Love Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson, Opeth and Mikael Akerfeldt!

[@peterhammer6915]

@@Weloz92 Blackwater Park isn't Death Metal at all. It's Progressive Metal. Growling doesn't make music death metal. I agree, fantastic album though. For me the best albums of this century are in no particular order: Hand Cannot Erase Blackwater Park Ghost Reveries Fear of a Blank Planet In Absentia Still Life is -99, otherwise it would be on this list.

[@joesikorski4080]

The best interview is one in which the interviewer lets the subject talk uninterrupted. You are a legend, Rick. This was a masterclass

[@chaos.corner]

I like that he mentions fans being picky about the tracks but doesn't condemn them for it but tries to raise his standards. He seems to recognize that this is people being passionate about the things they love.

[@aionguardian9062]

It's interesting that people don't just make music.. how something has to be marketed and sold to someone else is more important than the actual music itself, so what's the point

[@benink5690]

We need guys like him on the frontlines. No bs media and just honest self critical information. He rules

[@MetteC5]

I guess you do. We have them on the frontlines here in Europe.

[@dbmandrake]

Rick, I just wanted to thank you for introducing me to an artist/band I've never heard before - who has really blown me away tonight! When I saw the thumbnail I thought "Hmm, Porcupine Tree, that name sounds vaguely familiar"... I think I've probably heard the name in the late 90's early 2000's as some of my mates at the time listened to a lot of bands with with weird names I'd never heard of before and probably mentioned the name, but I have no recollection of actually hearing any Porcupine Tree songs before or knowing anything about the artist other than perhaps hearing the name. So I started watching the video. Well, I haven't even been able to finish your video yet I'm afraid Rick - about half way through I thought I better check out a few of the songs on Tidal that were being mentioned and I ended up in a two hour long rabbit hole listening to song after song - so far I've listened to most of a couple of the early albums and the latest album, some tracks multiple times and my favouriting rate of individual tracks is extremely high - its rare for me to favourite nearly every song on an album. And I can confirm - I have never heard any songs before from the albums I've listened to so far, so this is all fresh and new for me even though I'm very late to the party. I can't help thinking that these albums are a master class in what's wrong with formulaic, sausage factory modern pop/rock music, by showing how it should be done. They remind me how awesome and interesting progressive rock can be and how much I miss it as it basically doesn't exist in the mainstream today aside from a few small indies if you look hard enough to find them. Progressive rock defies the simplistic verse and chorus structure of most modern pop/rock with a longer than average song morphing through multiple styles, keys, tempos, tones etc as the song goes on, almost like the song equivalent of the hero's journey. It's hard to even define what Porcupine Tree is (or at least the albums I've heard so far) as there is so much variety and a great mixture of different musical genres, styles and sounds. From song to song I don't know what I'm going to get. I guess progressive rock is the underpinning of most of what I've heard so far, but it wanders into metal in places, embraces Enigma style soundscapes and ambience in others (I'm a big fan of enveloping "soundscapes" in music - something also mostly absent in modern pop) and I can hear some touches of The Alan Parsons Project, David Bowie, Muse, REM, Bjorn Lynne, Enigma and many others just in the 3 albums I've checked out so far. So many of the songs are incredibly interesting and inventive in a way that modern pop just isn't. Complex and unusual chord progressions, multiple changes in key during the song (gasp - almost non existent in popular music since 2009 as you noted in another video, and one thing that makes a lot of modern music sound boring) changes in pace and often broken into different segments with quite different styles, as you would expect from progressive rock. Just so interesting and engaging to listen to compared to more standard verse and chorus structures that modern pop has "refined" to the point of dullness. Looks like I have a few days playing "catch up" ahead of me... it's been quite a few years now since I found my last new artist that made me say "wow" and embark on days worth of back catalogue catch up. I only wish I had heard some of this 20 years ago!

[@MickeyGooner]

Welcome! Have been listening to his music since 2006. He made me fall in love with music all over again since that moment.

[@brokenwingbird2552]

Hope you see this, cause if you're looking for another "wow" band with great consistency of good quality through all their songs, you should check out "Pinback"

[@rmatic2295]

@@brokenwingbird2552 YES! Pinback is incredible, and has always been under the radar. I picked up Blue Screen Life years ago, and once I heard the song "Prog" everything changed.

[@jjaredzappa3928]

Alright Steven, take it down a notch lol jk

[@nunomuacho446]

I found them during the lockdowns on some reaction channel, what a joy!

[@ldreamxtheaterl5587]

I can’t believe you got to interview Steven Wilson. I’ve never heard him or porcupine tree mentioned on the channel before. Steven is an absolute genius writer and composer that everyone should listen to. One of the greatest musicians of his generation.

[@TT-df9hp]

Rick listened to one of his songs on a livestream a while ago, I think it was Drive Home.

[@ManWithoutThePants]

@@TT-df9hp Do you have a link to that stream? I would be curious to check it.

[@beastehful]

For any Porcupine Tree fans that haven't checked it out yet, you have to listen to C/C. It's an utterly uncompromising record. It's hasn't moved towards the mainstream at all (quite the opposite actually), doesn't try to imitate the past, and the production quality is seriously next level. Their most dynamic album by far

[@gerardochaparro1639]

Watched them live a few weeks ago in London and it was incredible

[@EiriUesugiKun]

Saw PT live in Stockholm few weeks ago.. They played all(?) songs from C/C and total of three hours. :D

[@jorgecardos3420]

i disagree with the part of the most dynamic album. Let's not forget that these songs are leftovers from "the incident". Besides the bass work and cadence that Collin Edwin provided is missing. The production is indeed superb though

[@federicomasolini8350]

@@gerardochaparro1639 Not really a fan of the latest record,but damn those songs sound superb in a live setting. Especially the ending of dignity and the sound explosion during the chorus of herd culling

[@TangoWithTheCobra]

@@jorgecardos3420 Colin was to Porcupine Tree as Mick Karn was to Japan. Irreplaceable. Still love the new album. Miss Colin though.

[@basverweij1949]

Guthrie’s solo in Drive Home… It’s sublime, it could not be better, more intense or with a more beautiful sound… And I rarely use the word sublime. It is both the complete suffering and finding peace that eventually comes with it. It is dying and crying, love and healing 🙏

[@benr7965]

beyond amazing

[@IrLosin]

Steven is one of those guys who does not seem to age.

[@thewal1ofsleep]

Seriously. I cannot believe he is 55; he looks like he could still be in his early 40's. I have as much gray in my beard as he does and I'm not even 40 yet.

[@jonathanpusar5931]

@@thewal1ofsleepim sure he colors his hair lol

[@user-wf4fv4oc1h]

@@jonathanpusar5931 He is not a waste case. He is a mature fellow who did not live the rock and roll life.

[@jonathanpusar5931]

@@user-wf4fv4oc1h I don’t live a rock and roll life, am 33, and have a ton of grey. It’s called age dude

[@user-wf4fv4oc1h]

@@jonathanpusar5931 I am 58 and have some grey. It is genetics plus lifestyle. You may have some grey but watch your peers and those that drink, smoke etc. Big differences coming up soon. Been there

[@CSCRECORDSBC]

Having had the pleasure of working with Steven on 3 different instances, I can attest to the fact that this man works fast, is a joy to work with, and one of the nicest person I’ve dealt with in the business. I will forever be grateful to Steven for taking a chance on a small cassette label.

[@FrankieBag0donuts]

Anesthetize is a freakin' 17 minute masterpiece. Gavin Harrison's drumming is spectacular. Congrats on recognition of the work of PT. Maybe someday you'll discover Styx... but, probably not. We won't hold our breath.

[@babylemonade2868]

First time I heard radioactive toy I was blown away

[@hylyph]

I really like how Steven perceives music. His contributions to everything he touches are amazing and priceless.

[@patthewoodboy]

his re works of Tulls music is really good , I bought them all.

[@davidmccarty1876]

Steven Wilson is one of the most integral artists in musical history. At 70 years old I can say that with conviction and remain resolute to that statement. Rick Beato has taught me more about music than anyone in my 70 years of existence on this planet. To listen to this interview that was not just about the artist but more about music overall in the most broadest sense was simply amazing. I've been a fan of Steven since the Porcupine Tree Stupid Dream album. Steven quite simply gave the best advice, Listen to everything you can listen to, even the stuff you don't like.

[@colinburroughs9871]

"Steven Wilson is one of the most integral artists in musical history." Is he a top 100 guy of the last say 20 years? Maybe. 40 years? No. 100- absolutely no. History? hah. SW is hot and cold in terms of output and almost all of it is entirely derivative of other artists/bands. Dude is the buffet of rock music. Can do bits of everything but is any of it more authentic than it's source inspiration? I suppose that's subjective, but when a majority of the output is a homage to something else this question becomes glaring.

[@sidnew2739]

​@@colinburroughs9871You know nuthin, John Snow. Wilson is one of the best EVER. Obviously.

[@danielbertola7868]

Steven is probably the best all around artist of our time. While he is famous, the fact that he is not a global household name is borderline criminal. The Raven that Refused to Sing, Hand Cannot Erase, just absolute masterpieces cover to cover. Everything he has taken part in is well above the average for quality.

[@Chaviacegram]

🖕🖕Congratulation you have been selected among my shortlisted winner's 🎁

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

Completely agree.

[@allex_p]

You said it for me, so thank you!

[@lobster4501]

Well, we might be the best listeners and “understanders “of music of our time

[@danielbertola7868]

@@lobster4501 Perhaps. In my case his musical language is far beyond my understanding and that is part of the appeal for me.

[@dyrkeschaefer]

Drive Home is one of my all time favorite tracks and the guitar solo is, indeed, absolutely amazing.

[@ThePainman88]

It's my favorite solo of all time. It has so much emotion packed into it.

[@MrThebigcheese75]

Guthrie Govan wasn't it, what a living legend he is.

[@olliec5564]

What a fantastic interview, thank-you so much. I was lucky enough to meet Steve at the listening party for his album Insurgentes. I was a young pup trying to make my way in Music journalism and was a huge fan of his. I was absurdly excited to meet him and before the listening party started, we spoke for a short time about music and the new album. Steve was such a nice, fun, articulate chap and just speaking to him made my day. Once the listening party finished, he walked over to me with a copy of the limited edition deluxe edition of the album (CD, DVD, big ole hardback book) and handed it to me. The hairs on the back of my neck still stand on end when I think about that moment. The room was full of proper music journalists from big magazines and I was a nobody writing for free on a little known website and yet he not only took the time to talk to me, he also gave me such a wonderful gift. Not only is he a truly gifted musician and songwriter but he's also a genuine dude.

[@tronlady1]

I could listen to wilson all day. So articulate. Also there are so many parallels in how we both grew up listening to “sophisticated records”. It explains why I also grew up wanting to do everything. Difference is, he’s got more motivation and discipline than I will ever have and that’s why he’s successful. SO GREAT to finally see him on Ricks channel. I saw him play with PT last month to 10,500 peeps and now this so to me that means he’s “made it”. Good lad. The most hard working musician in rock music history, possibly.

[@DallasGunther]

Yeah, it's either Stephen Wilson or Mike Patton. Neither ever seems to take a break and their creativity is still on par, if not continuing to grow and improve

Same here. was shocked to realise how similar we are. Even the Abba part 😂. I got instruments, hardware, software but.... lack motivation and time. I love music over all bit cannot get it done. so sad, but one day... with help of Steven's words. 😊

[@fabianschorp9429]

This guy wrote some of my favourite tracks ever; Dark Matter (Porcupine Tree), Ljudet Innan (Storm Corrosion), Count of Unease (Steven Wilson). But all I'll take away from this interview is the Guthrie story about the Drive Home solo, because it's a pretty insane thing to contemplate...

[@powermetallistic2293]

Wow, wasn't expecting Storm Corrosion mentioned down here.

[@defshrimp]

I randomly found that Storm Corrosion album like 10 years ago due to Mikael from Opeth being on it. It is still in my rotation to this day and introduced me to Steven and his work. It is a masterpiece imho.

[@Thewestslope]

Storm Corrosion is a terrific album.

[@f4lc0n15]

another fellow Dark Matter fan ayo, fav PT song and Signify is also my fave PT album

[@allenvrabac4827]

Ljudet Innan, good call. That track has impacted me in such a way it'll go on my body as ink.

[@lazztunes2010]

Rick, this is the BEST interview you've done. I laughed and I cried. It just made me appreciate you and Steven even more. Bravo!

[@MetalRiderPlasma]

I agree!

[@frankov_83]

A true genius, I’ve been following him for around 20 years, many bands, projects and I am SO glad he’s been such a big part of my life since then.

[@Keyspoet27]

Seventeen years for me; but my husband was going to their concerts in NYC from the mid-90s onward. Amazing band live.

[@The032750]

Along with his unique ability to explain and reveal, Rick is one of the greatest "listeners" I've ever heard. I spent 30 years in the music industry and can think of no one that even comes close to his skills in those areas..

[@larkstonguesinaspic4814]

Hand. Cannot. Erase is his greatest work in my opinion. Masterfully crafted album and also incredibly emotional.

[@l.s.1709]

Fear of a Blank Planet and In Absentia are also great

[@chriscoote2690]

Raven is great too.

[@glyngasson8450]

My favourite is Grace for Drowning

[@tomowens7499]

guthrie's solo on drive home IS the greatest recorded solo of all time! i'm so glad steven mentioned that track... what a great interview, love both these guys.

[@stevemuzak8526]

It is easily one of the best solos ever written.

[@jesusgarcial.1762]

I remember Steven had a "masterclass" here in Mexico, and someone mentioned something about the solo on Drive Home, and Steven responded that, that was the first take of Guthrie improvising! and also that Guthrie didn't like it and he wanted to keep trying for more takes but Steven didn't let him.

[@mpk33]

Makes me cry every damn time.

[@RARCake]

One of my favourite songs of all time and this solo is a masterpiece

[@gurjotsingh8631]

I had heard that it was the first take, which was mindblowing by itself, because it is literally one of the best solos ever written, but I didn't know that his E string was broken ahahaha.

[@sassulusmagnus]

What Steven Wilson says about listening to unfamiliar music out of sheer curiosity is very true. You can always learn something, even if the music doesn't resonate with you emotionally or artistically. Listening broadly is like reading broadly or traveling with the intention of learning something about the places you visit. It stretches your musical boundaries, gives you a bigger "library" of inspiration and expression to draw upon.

[@michaelgottlieb9083]

So so glad he mentioned the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, Donna Summer, & ELO. These albums and the like are often overlooked for their sonic quality, production value and the featured artist.

[@DavidSchilter]

Yes! I'm so pleased that Jeff Lynne got a shout out. Not that he really needs any more respect, but y'know!

[@karenbennett187]

I love him not just for his music, but he’s so down to earth and seems like a very kind man.

[@benjels2421]

He supports Palestinian genocide, but ya he seems cool otherwise

[@cooliestguy45]

Minus the fact that he supports Israel he does seem down to earth

[@mr.steinhaus6014]

@@cooliestguy45 there’s always a critic

[@monikajohnson2893]

I feel the same. I would love to sit down and have the greatest conversation with him. I can't believe how much I have in common with him. The first time I saw him it literally changed me.

[@GMHG777]

@@cooliestguy45 you know his wife is Israeli right ?

[@lindylee1139]

Besides being a genius musician, Steven is so intelligent and articulate. I love listening to him speak. He also has a great podcast-The Album Years.

[@Weloz92]

As a long time listener of Steven and Porcupine Tree who always enjoyed the very sad vibes of his music, it's very heartwarming to see him so happy and fulfilled with his life! Great interview!

[@kathowed]

I've read and heard interviews with SW over the years, but I've never heard him open up as much as he has with Rick. You're a damn good interviewer: you know when you have a live one, and when to sit back and let them run. Thank you!

[@mazetoeden9334]

I think it helps that SW respects RB as someone with experience and expertise. Most often interviews can't go into much detail because the interviewer isn't capable

[@Fret-knot]

What a superb interview! I love Steven's views on music production and the industry as a whole. Not to mention, his own music and Porcupine Tree, who are second to none. Fantastic.

[@chrisbwhittle]

I only discovered Steven Wilson about 16 years ago. I was out walking with a friend close to my home. He pointed out a nice house close to the Grand Union Canal and said “a pop star lives there” I then had to find out who it was. It was Steven Wilson, what a brilliant discovery

[@tsunemi4869]

Of all words, popstar was the best description :)

[@DmytroShkurko]

International pop star!

[@pattardn]

Mr. Wilson is the single most important musical figure of our time, full stop. Apart from the fact that his music is valid for what counts as the present and future, his remixing of the past masters secures his position as guardian of what constitutes our contemporary culture and heritage. A big thank you very much, Mr. Beato, in your own way, you do the same noble thing from another dimension.

[@daviddigirolamo3310]

One thing that can't be overstated enough...when his dad says "Hey, son...you're interested in music, I made you a portastudio for Christmas". What an entirely different world that becomes compared to..."Hey, son, you're interested in music...get a real job".

[@toddnewton1574]

So true!

[@omniscientgrunk]

I am 63. When I discovered Porcupine Tree some years back it felt like I had been reintroduced to music. I love all of Steve's music. I have since moved out to other groups like Riverside and Lunatic Soul. Thank you for interviewing Steve Wilson. Thank you Rick. Was so excited to see this pop up on the bell. Didn't wait to watch it later. Good interview.

[@VampireHeart518]

And both Steven Wilson* and Riverside are absolutely FANTASTIC live, not only as musicianship but also the sound is fabulous! Also the vocals are more soulful *I'm guessing Porcupine tree as well, but I've yet to experience them live

[@vinbel1961]

Have you checked out Pineapple Thief yet? I discovered them via an iTunes recommendation while listening to Porcupine Tree.

[@omniscientgrunk]

@@vinbel1961 I have. They are good. I need to give them another listen I think.

[@BrisbaneTeslaGuy]

Your so right

[@PTCrucial]

I am 63 too!! I too only found Steven Wilson recently, around covid time. I agree with everything you say my friend. I am lucky enough to be seeing Riverside at the end of April and PT in June this year. It’s going to be a great next 3 months !! I just think we are so lucky to have Steven and Mariusz.😊

[@bernlin2000]

Steven never gets enough notoriety, one of the finest songwriters of his generation, throughout his many many projects, but most especially Porcupine Tree (which is how I discovered his music). Thank you for talking with him, Rick, truly an "unknown giant" in the rock world.

[@onlytherighteousprevail6956]

Never gets what?... I'm sorry, but even though I love Steven Wilson (both work and person), he has an ego that does not even fit inside of his hat. The man probably deserves it, but hell, he does not even let another one (Rick in this case), finish his turn of talking. And we both know that that is not a proper English thing to do, don't we?

[@doobrikter2969]

@@onlytherighteousprevail6956 fantastic online handle 😇

[@achoice2bmade]

Meet SW once at a record shop before a show. What a wonderfully genuine and nice chap. A trueblessing of a man and artist.

[@warwickknight1472]

Great interview Rick. Terrific that Steven spoke to you as a peer and gave so many insights. I think this demonstrates how respected you are, world wide. Keep it up! Love from Australia.

[@chasemcdaniel1910]

So glad you mention Porcupine tree. One of my fav bands of all time. Gavin Harrison is brilliant as well

[@Chaviacegram]

🖕🖕Congratulation you have been selected among my shortlisted winner's..🎁

[@doctordrummerdude]

Great discussion but I am kind of frustrated that there was little mention of PT given the recent release (C/C) and Summer tour.

[@chasemcdaniel1910]

@@doctordrummerdude well said.

[@kostasmad1431]

A genius of our time. He has released more masterpieces than one can imagine. So happy that was finally able to see Porcupine Tree live...

[@g-man7689]

Ya that term genius is thrown to freely but no one deserves a this word more than steve

[@timothywourms3087]

Agree and I am also grateful to have seen PT last year in Chicago

[@benburton842]

😂😂, I think hearing steven wilson trying to describe Guthrie Govan's capabilities as a guitarist is the only time I've EVER seen him lost for word's... Two jaw dropping musicians, what a great collaboration!👏 👌 🎉

[@Cygnus-X1]

Steven is by far my favorite living musician, so thankful you provided this conversation!

[@mark9978]

Rick, in terms of guests who can actually talk about music then Steven Wilson is without doubt the best so far. We learned a lot about him and his methods, and his ideas are transferable to anyone who makes music or just loves listening to it.

[@youmothershouldknow4905]

Beato guest ranking: #1) Ron Carter #2) Pat Metheny #3) Steven Wilson

[@shredmetalshred7395]

He produced one of the best Opeth albums - Damnation, such a classic. Great guitar player too, very admirable career that only esoteric metalheads&musicians recognize

[@316minister]

I love how Rick is living this interview. He knows this discipline well.

[@boomerdell]

Steven Wilson is absolutely fascinating, and I realize he has in common a trait that also shows up in other people with fascinating minds: Curiosity. His mind is always open, willing, searching, and flexible. I've never heard him express an idea or view as being 'right' -- it's beautiful to see someone approach their art in life as an ongoing process with no beginning and no end. I also love his advice to listen, and to listen to music both in and out of our familiarity and comfort. I really could listen to him talk all day. And of course, I could listen to his music all day long, too.

[@toddnewton1574]

Fantastic insight and agree completely.

[@brnby8984]

I CANNOT believe this is happening! Two of my favs coming together, so great!

[@richardmaggio]

What a pleasant surprise to see Steven on your show. He's so self deprecating of himself as a musician. I adore his guitar playing and liked when he featured more of it in his music on To The Bone when it came out. Same on the recent Porcupine Tree album. Hopefully more people will discover and appreciate his music having been on your show.

[@Sixdfive]

That is one of my all time favorite interviews you've done Rick. I applaud you for having Steven on and introducing him to hopefully a new audience of people who don't know of his genius. Fascinating insights and answers from the master.

[@jesperbc]

What an amazingly funny and insightful interview. Steven is captivating to listen to. I love most of the Porcupine Tree stuff, especially the latter half of their career, I love all his solo albums, except for maybe The Future Bites which didn't hit home for me, and I've dipped my toes in Storm Corrosion and found it to be a great listen. He's truly an amazing artist!

[@chromaspecter4054]

Love Porcupine Tree. So much emotion and power.

[@Chaviacegram]

🖕🖕Congratulation you have been selected among my shortlisted winner's..🎁

[@larrycass3198]

Nothing like PT and Steven Music!

[@chasekimball5999]

Along with Richard Thompson, Porcupine Tree has been your most glaring omission. So very happy to finally see them getting some love.

[@markbertenshaw3977]

Oh yes, Richard Thompson is an outstanding guitarist, singer and songwriter.

[@markdrechsler5660]

Richard Thompson would be a great interview. I’ve seen him a half dozen times. Fantastic musician.

[@pite9]

Steven writes music the right way, properly. That's why he's one of those musicians, like David Bowie, who never really got old and stale. All records are not successes, but they're always interesting and unique and doesn't feel like a weak copy of what used to be something great. And he's very diverse with many different projects. Way too few have looked beyond Porcupine Tree and his solo stuff. My favorite project of his is No-Man, which is kind of a fusion of trip hop, jazz and ambient music. He also had huge contributions on some of Opeth's most popular albums, like Damnation, producing and playing keyboards. I always thought that the experimental stuff in early Porcupine Tree seemed to be inspired by early Pink Floyd. I see him mentioning Ummagumma as confirmation of that. And him mentioning ABBA, ELO and Bee Gees makes sense since they were bands with great harmonic writers who could write really beautiful chord progressions. That's the one common denominator in all of Steven's work and how I can sometimes hear that a song was written by him.

[@antmills]

"Hand Cannot Erase", was the first Steven Wilson album I bought... I just then had to go out and get the rest of his back catalogue. The Guthrie Goven stuff is just an awesome contributuuion to his brilliant work.

[@CJMusic2]

I went to see Porcupine Tree a couple of weeks ago in London. They were fantastic - the quality of musicianship from the whole band was second to none. Gavin Harrison is one of the best drummers on the planet, Richard Barbieri's keyboard soundscapes were lush and Steven's vocals and guitars were immense. Just brilliant!

[@powermetallistic2293]

IKR. The sound was crystal clear at the venue where I saw them. Wow, just wow.

[@mk1st]

Gavin is da man!

[@ashleybrooks5336]

I am jealous! This seemed to skip by me unfortunately :(

[@RobertHurleyJr]

Agreed. I didn't see PT but saw Steve Wilson and his solo band in Boston during his Grace for Drowning tour. I believe he did Harmony Korine for the encore and the roof almost blew off. What a sound!

[@Hunkeykung]

Richard Barbieri ♥️

[@philipatoz]

OK, I just started discovering Steven's music per this channel. Wow, of what I've randomly heard, so far, offers much quality, taste, beauty, and surprises. Rick, what you're doing with this channel is such a wonderful thing for people who have a passion for great music and learning more about it and the artists who make it!

[@paranoidandroid6711]

Steven is the most underrated musican ever. His solo work,Porcupine Tree,Blackfiekd,No Man,Bass Communication is prolific.

[@igifford]

This is the interview I've been waiting for Rick! It's great that you can both talk like producers and he doesn't have to dumb down what he is talking about for a morning show audience. He knows that you and your viewership will know exactly what he is talking about, so he seemed very relaxed and candid with his answers. I loved it a bunch!

[@MikeGolus]

I love how both Steven Wilson and Mr Beato encourage us to make an effort to take in and learn to appreciate music that we may not understand or easily accept in order to better experience what music can offer us. Centuries of recorded musical history document the challenging of expectations in return of enduring creative expression. Thank you Rick and Steven for your dedication to creativity and expression.

[@VampireHeart518]

Yep, and I love that he references XX's century classical music, most people don't even know that exists, sadly...

[@soulstice99]

This guy is fantastic. Underrated and somewhat unknown....inexplicably

[@joshcreasey]

This is the absolute best interview you’ve ever done with anybody, Rick! I’ve been a fan of Steven’s for 20 years, not long after the release of Porcupine Tree’s In Absentia album.

[@spiral2012]

OMG Rick! My favorite artist of all time. Thought you had a SW blind spot.

[@chrislevy7839]

Steven Wilson is a songwriting machine. His body of work is astounding.

[@GangdangleOfficialChannel]

Just started listening to Wilson and Porcupine Tree, and now this appears on my watch page. Hahah, now all my friends will believe I only started listening because of this

[@danielfurr7356]

Check out Blackfield

[@andrewbennett7610]

36:07 You can tell he’s not just downplaying his incredible ability to sound modest. He amazingly actually doesn’t realise how amazing he is. That amazes me.

[@tood6459]

I have Spotify to thank for introducing me to Porcupine Tree. I was listening to a Tool mix, and after awhile, Spotify likes to sprinkle in "bands like Tool". I heard "Deadwing" and loved it. I spent the next few months down the rabbit hole of Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson. I've introduced them to dozens of family and friends, and while none of them had ever heard of him either, they all love it once they were introduced to it.

[@SpuddySpud]

I discovered them the old fashioned, traditional way... Amazon told me that people who bought Rush also bought Porcupine Tree 😀.

[@StefanJZX6]

Me too, but with the The Future Bites album, that Spotify thougth I'd like. And they know me too well, I did...

[@jimmc2990]

I found them back in the early days of Internet radio in 2008 on this thing called 'Atlantic Sound Factory' - I heard 'The Sound of Muzak' and then went down the rabbit hole, and I'm still in it haha .

[@Brotacon]

I was recommended them by a boss at a former job. I fully expected it to be boring corporate approved rock (he was a CEO, after all) and I went in with zero expectations. Utterly blown away (I started with Deadwing to, and as soon as I hit the "I have to say I like my privacy/Don't you know you're on closed circuit TV?" harmony I was hooked. I also got into Opeth off the back of that album too.

[@pitpride1220]

Excellent interview! I've been waiting for this to happen!

[@jerrydecoster6183]

I absoultely love Rick's interviews with all of these artists. Rick has the ability to tap into the core of the person he interviews and let's them speak without interruptions. I can tell Steven enjoys this interview. One musician speaking to another musician. I love this.

[@kristianbengtsson4747]

Please Rick, do a "What makes thing song great" about Arriving somewhere but not here with Porcupine Tree. One of the best progressive rock songs I've heard and one can always find something new when listening to it.

[@ianingram2284]

My absolute favorite song of all time. Head and shoulders above anything else I’ve ever heard.

[@StevenStJohn-kj9eb]

That song is amazing.

[@JonnyKlausmeyer]

That song has a lot of absolute genius in it.

[@beastehful]

Second this. Such a beautiful and haunting track

[@SonicDykstra]

Yes, Rick. do it.

[@jcout25]

Guthrie's solo on Drive Home has been my favorite guitar solo of all time since the moment I heard it. I knew it was done on the first take, but not that he didn't even have his high e string. That's incredible!

[@irena7777777]

Think I love the solo on Regret #9 even more. Both are genius.

[@parthsoni7404]

Love you for this ❤️ made my Sunday special🙌💯

[@Owenator26]

Steven Wilson is one of the biggest prog/rock genius of today! My dad got me into Porcupine Tree same album Deadwing and I think the first song I heard was Shallow and I instantly liked it Lazarus, Mellotron Scratch, Arriving Somewhere But Not Here so many great songs on that album. Opeth is another great modern prog rock/metal band and I then later found out that Steven actually produced one my favourite albums Damnation by them.

[@mixolydiano8954]

Oh hell yeah. Time to grab some coffee, sit back, and enjoy this one.

[@craigporazinski1272]

Steven is unparalleled in influence and work completed in prog and heavy rock today!

[@Chaviacegram]

🖕🖕Congratulation you have been selected among my shortlisted winner's..🎁

[@Tityretupatulae]

😂

[@jimriz]

Love this! Two brilliant musical minds having an enlightened discussion! One on your best, Rick!

[@DeezChords]

I enjoyed this interview so much, thank you both!

[@KhalDrogo76]

The Raven That Refused to Sing is one of my favorite albums ever made.....Stevens a genius, and his remixing on Jethro Tull and King Crimson are brilliant. Guys a wizard

[@davidhuggan6315]

Agreed 100%

[@scottc4471]

So great for you to feature and interview Steven Wilson. So much great work on both sides of the glass. Drive Home is phenomenal..