The Steven Wilson Interview: The Modern Rock Producer 

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This guy is the prog rock in person of our century

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.

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

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

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

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

The solo by Guthrie in Drive Home is mesmerizing.

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

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

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.

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.

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 🙏

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

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

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

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.

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)

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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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.

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

IMO Steven Wilson is the best producer today. What he did for Opeth, the incredible songs he created for Porcupine Tree, Pineapple Thief, Blackfield, his solo work is timeless. Steven has helped me get through the lowest times of my life. He’s inspired me to make deep heartfelt music & I just cannot say enough good things about his music.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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...

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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...

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.

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!

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..

Love Porcupine Tree. So much emotion and power.

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.

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!

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

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.

I got to know Porcupine Tree only about 3 years ago as I was working with a Musician who wanted to make a "PT Inspired" song. I started listening to Steven's and PT's music and was blown away. I got hooked instantly, and got so much inspiration for my own music. The music is just incredible, and like Rick pointed out, especially the drums sound just amazing. Amazing songwriting / production / mixer skills. Went to see PT last month in Amsterdam, and it was just great. This music should get much more exposure, as I believe there is a much bigger audience for this.

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!

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.

What's as impressive is how well produced and engineered the live shows are. Just phenomenal musicians.

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

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

Steven Wilson is a hero to people (like me) who love music in surround sound/atmos. The work he has done remixing incredible albums to this format is mind boggling and I haven't heard anything less than stellar from him.

I pressed the "Like" button as soon I opened this video. Steven Wilson and specially Porcupine Tree is to me the best prog and avant garde band of this century, one of the finest groups and musicians currently making records and on tour.

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.

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.

Possibly, one of the most engaging musical interviews I've ever listened to.

Great interview, Rick. Steven's "Hand. Cannot. Erase." is a modern masterpiece in the classic style of 60s and 70s rock operas.

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.

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!

What an absolutely fantastic interview of one of my favorite musicians in the world. You have him precisely in his element - thoughtful, insightful, charmingly humble of his own sonic genius. Thank you so much for this one, Rick.

The G.O.A.T

I saw Steven live in 2019. It was my first serious concert, from a world class musician. And what a high bar he had set, unbelievable sound. The band was amazing. He was great and funny. Love Porcupine Tree and his solo stuff very much. Seeing Steven on this channel is a welcome surprise, kudos to Rick for having him.

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.

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

he definitely deserves more recognition

First Maynard and now Steven? I love this channel. Your wide-ranging interviews make me realize that my favorite musicians are also interesting people.

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

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

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".

For me Blackfield is his best project, I advice everybody to listen carefully, there are real masterpieces hidden in their records

So hyped when this popped up. I'm 15 and an aspiring musician and I'd say Steven Wilson is one of my favourite musicians. He has a great catalogue of music and im so glad Rick interviewed him. Maybe an in person video could happen???? Who knows 😁

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

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!

Actually best interview so far by Beato, and I think I have seen most of them. Good job

His remix of the classic YES albums is outstanding, he really brought out some interesting details that weren't so obvious in the originals.

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

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

That was a great interview once again, Rick! I was very late to the Steven Wilson show until John Wesley opened up for Marillion on their US tour. John led me back to Porcupine Tree and the rest is history. I'm just so baffled that PT and Steven Wilson evaded me for this long. Luckily I got to see PT in Boston a couple of months ago and it's an experience I'll never forget. Nor will I ever miss out on Steven Wilson music going forward. I love the way you were able to dig into Steven's processes, influences, and his take on old vs. new music industry like I've never read or seen in past interviews with him.

Rick, great interview! I'm a big fan of Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree. I did the guitar transcriptions for two Porcupine Tree albums, "Deadwing" and "In Absentia" for Alfred Music Publishing Company some years back as I was one of their main guitar/bass transcribers and music engravers.

That's a video I WASN'T expecting but I'm so glad it exists