Steven Wilson recently shared his thoughts on the electric guitar, describing it as an instrument that “belongs to the 20th century in many ways.” He highlighted how digital tools have the potential to breathe new life into the iconic instrument, helping to reinvent its sound for the modern era.
The mastermind behind Porcupine Tree has been busy over the past few months, with his latest solo album, The Overview, released last month. The album showcases his signature blend of modern and traditional influences, particularly in terms of the gear used in the recording process.
In a recent interview with Guitarist, Wilson discussed how the advancements of modern technology provide him with an unprecedented level of creative possibilities. He emphasized how digital elements enhance his work, particularly for someone who sees himself as a producer:
“It’s a gift for someone like me, who thinks of himself primarily as a producer, that there’s never been more ways to process, twist, and mutate sound. It’s just extraordinary, particularly when you bring together as I have on this record, the two worlds of the vintage and the modern.”
While Wilson has a deep appreciation for vintage sounds, he’s not a purist when it comes to recording. He expressed his belief that digital tools, including processing and plugins, offer valuable opportunities for creating innovative guitar tones:
“I’m not a purist. I’m not interested in getting vintage tones for the sake of it. I like vintage tones, of course I do, and there are some on this record. But I’m a massive fan of what you can do in the digital realm, with processing and plugins, particularly with an old-fashioned – quote, unquote – instrument like the guitar.”
Wilson went on to explain his perspective on the electric guitar’s place in music history:
“I love the guitar, but essentially it’s an instrument that belongs to the 20th century in many ways. So it’s a question of, what can you do to try to reinvent that vocabulary to make it seem relevant?”
In his collaboration with Randy McStine, who once again joined Wilson to record guitar parts, the two explored ways to make the electric guitar feel fresh while honoring its legacy. Wilson noted that McStine “understands” his approach to reimagining the traditional guitar solo:
“It was really fascinating to go down that road with him, where we tried to create something in the tradition of the epic guitar solo but in a way that perhaps was fresher to people who’ve heard that before.”
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