Steven Wilson: “I’ve tried to reinvent the classic rock guitar solo”

nme.com:

Steven Wilson has spoken to NME about how he’s attempted to reinvent guitar solos as part of his new space-themed album ‘The Overview’, which marks the Porcupine Tree musician’s return to prog-rock after more than a decade.Announced last month and set for March release, ‘The Overview’ is named after The Overview Effect – the unsettling phenomenon experienced by astronauts when they view Earth from outer space for the first time.“Astronauts experience a profound epiphany,” Wilson told NME. “Some people have a very positive reaction, but some have reactions that are very negative.

I think it’s quite positive to acknowledge that life is a random, freak gift, that you should enjoy the ride. As far as the universe is concerned, it doesn’t care about your life.”On learning of The Overview Effect from his friend Alex Milas of research body Space Rocks, Wilson was immediately inspired to write two lengthy pieces; the title track and ‘Objects Outlive Us’.The album is accompanied by an animated film directed by Miles Skarin, who regularly works with Wilson on his videos, as well as his first solo tour for seven years. “It doesn’t seem like a tour was that long ago,” admitted Wilson. “It’s exciting to do it again after so long, but also a bit scary.”‘Objects Outlive Us’ features an epic guitar solo by Randy McStine, the touring guitarist with the reformed Porcupine Tree.

Wilson’s acclaimed trio reunited in 2022 for a tour and their first album for 13 years, ‘Closure/Continuation’.“I said to Randy: ‘We’re going to reinvent the notion of the extended classic rock solo’,” Wilson explained. “I told Randy: ‘This is going to be the not ‘Comfortably Numb’ solo,” he continued, referring to Pink Floyd’s 1979 classic from ‘The Wall’.