Steven Wilson HQ News

SW in EM

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 PST

Steven has recently started writing about music again, this time in the form of a monthly column for the US magazine Electronic Musician. It's called "New is the New Old", and each month he writes about an aspect of the music industry as we know it today, compared to how it was in the past. 3 columns have so far been published, and they are also available online at the EM website.

New vinyl releases in stock

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 PST

There are a few ToneFloat vinyl releases just added to the Headphone Dust mail order page: The original vinyl version of Porcupine Tree's In Absentia was released by Warner Brothers in 2003, but that version sold out very quickly and has become quite a rarity, so now a new 180gm 2LP vinyl edition is available on either marbled or regular black vinyl. This new edition improves significantly on the quality of the Warners release, and is housed in a beautiful spot varnished gatefold sleeve. SW's Cover Versions V + VI are now available on 7 inch singles, completing the Cover Version series on vinyl. There's no box for the set to go in as there is with the CD version, but orders will include a post card of a reproduction of two pages from SW's personal note book, on which he noted any song it occurred to him might be good to record for the series. Finally there are a few remaining copies on sale of the exclusive split 7 inch single given away to attendees of the Bass Communion / Fear Falls Burning concert in Antwerp in 2008, and a small number of copies of the Continuum Recyclings Volume II double vinyl set, which is a complete reconstruction of the second Continuum (SW and Dirk Serries) CD, by Justin Broadrick of Jesu/Godflesh (this item is not listed on the mail order page, but please email hd@swhq.co.uk if you would like to reserve a copy - the price is £25 plus shipping).

In Absentia / Cover Version vinyl

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

ToneFloat are now pre-selling a new 180gm double vinyl edition of PT's In Absentia album. It came out on vinyl originally through Warners in 2003, but that version sold out very quickly and has become quite a rarity these days. They are also pre-selling the last two SW Cover Version 7 inch singles, which completes the vinyl series. There's no box for them all to go in as there is with the CD version, but orders will also include a post card of a reproduction of two pages from SW's personal note book on which he noted any song it occurred to him that might be good to record for the series. Both the PT vinyl and Cover Version singles are expected to ship on 12th July.

Atlanta Mick Karn benefit release

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

"Atlanta", a complete 2 hour live performance from Porcupine Tree's Fear of a Blank Planet tour, is now available as a download from the PT Store. The show was recorded and mixed to the usual PT standards in order to provide material for a planned live album, but when the decision was taken to film much of the same repertoire in Holland for a major DVD release instead, the Atlanta recording ended up back in the vault. Now PT have now decided to make it available in complete form as a download only release to raise funds for Mick Karn's treatment for cancer. Although the repertoire is similar to that on the Anesthetize DVD, the performance has its own atmosphere, and also includes the first ever officially released live recording of "A Smart Kid". The mp3s are high quality 320kbps files, and there is a break between tracks 8 and 9 in case you want to burn your own 2 CD set, for which Carl Glover has also provided CD artwork. Please note that profits from the sale of the Atlanta download will go to Mick Karn and his family.

SW at Number 1!

Sun, 30 May 2010 00:00:00 PST

Well, kind of....The new Pendulum album "Immersion", on which Steven co-wrote and sang the track called "The Fountain" has entered the UK album chart today at number 1. Congratulations to Rob Swire and Pendulum!

Insurgentes on DVD

Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 PST

The DVD version of the Insurgentes film directed by Lasse Hoile is currently scheduled for release on 27th September as a 2 DVD set on KScope, with a whole raft of extras on the second disc, including an audio section with more songs from the album sessions. More news nearer to the release date....

Complete I.E.M. box set available for pre-order

Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 PST

The 4 CD Complete I.E.M. box set is now available to pre-order from Headphone Dust or ToneFloat and will be shipping in early June. Described by himself as "a curiosity in my discography", I.E.M. has always been Steven Wilson's most obscure and mysterious project, active between 1996-2001, but with each release recorded and mixed in only a matter of days. Divided into several parts and movements, the epic krautrock-suites of the debut album were equally influenced by the recording processes of early Can, Neu! and Amon Duul II. While these long and constantly evolving pieces were built from inspired solo improvisations in the studio and catered to an anti-analytical production philosophy, Arcadia Son featured a more conventional band of flute, drums and PT's Colin Edwin on bass. As Porcupine Tree moved more towards songs and structure, meanwhile, I.E.M. took over the experimental side of SW's personality, with 2001's I.E.M. Have Come for your Children, de- and reconstructing instrumental contributions into up to 35-minute long electronic soundscapes. After the release of that album, however, Bass Communion firmly established itself as Steven Wilson's main experimental outfit and I.E.M. faded from sight - only to see its cult-status continually rise over the years. All the original CDs have long been out of print, but the Complete I.E.M. box now contains every single note officially released by this project, 3 full length albums and 1 EP, each presented in its own Japanese style mini LP sleeve, packaged in a hardback slipcase box accompanied by a Carl Glover designed 60 page-booklet. This release is both an homage and a final farewell to I.E.M. and is strictly limited to 2,000 copies worldwide.

SW facebook page

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 PST

Current trends have led to the creation of an official Steven Wilson facebook page - you can join up as a fan (or just someone who likes the music) here. Up to date news will be posted to the page regularly.

New collaborations

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 PST

Some forthcoming releases by other artists include collaborations with Steven. On 24th May Warner Music will release "Immersion", the new album by UK drum and bass/rock crossover band Pendulum. As well as a collaboration with the Prodigy, the album includes "The Fountain" co-written and sung by Steven. Also check out the first ever 360 degree interactive video on the band's website. A week later on 31st May the new album by Anathema "We're Here Because We're Here" will be released on KScope. This is the band's first album in 7 years and it was mixed by SW in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound. In his guise as Bass Communion, Steven has remixed a track for a 6 cassette box set of remixes of experimental US rock group Pyramids. Cassette is experiencing a comeback among experimental underground artists as a format of choice, and this lavishly packaged set is exclusive to the format and limited to just 300 copies.

New Insurgentes clip

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:00:00 PST

Lasse Hoile has posted up another clip from the Insurgentes film on his YouTube page here. This time it is SW's opinion on the impact of shows like Pop Idol on modern music. We should have some news about a late 2010 DVD release of the film soon - in the meantime it continues to play at selected international film festivals. The latest confirmed is a screening in Argentina at Muséo Municipal de Arte Moderno de Mendoza, on 28th May at 20:30.