Steven Wilson HQ News

Insurgentes film premiere

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

Lasse Hoile's full length feature version of the part documentary / part surreal road movie based on the recording of SW's first solo album "Insurgentes" has officially been selected at this years CPH:DOX international film festival. This will be the world premiere. The film is also taking part in competition for best documentary feature. The festival will take place from 6th - 15th November 2009 (in Copenhagen DK). More news soon. Link to Copenhagen film festival here.

Bass Communion - Chiaroscuro released!

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

Chiaroscuro is a deluxe CD release of a recording of the first (and to date only) Bass Communion live performance in Antwerp in November 2008. For this performance a special piece was prepared, and the complete 38 minute performance is included on this CD, along with the Bass Communion side of the split 7 inch single (with Fear Falls Burning) given away to attendees of the show. The CD comes in the now traditional Bass Communion package of a beautiful thick card Japanese style mini LP gatefold sleeve, with a fantastic Carl Glover design, including a picture of SW on stage during the performance inside the gatefold. The CD will not be widely available and Headphone Dust will be the main outlet (it won't be available from Burning Shed). You can order it here . Aquarius just gave the album a nice review on their site: "...we're happy to report that BC live is something to behold, a buzzing shimmering cloud of washed out psyche guitar drift, dense blackened billows, floating heavenward, while deep downtuned tones keep the proceedings grounded, amidst the swirl and drift, little shards of melody, and high end fragments surface now and again, only to sink back into the glorious druggy haze. The track shifts gears a few times, an acid fried slow burn blow out gives way to soft focus chiming ambience which slips slowly into a deep meditative rumble, finally drifting off in a hushed whir. The second track was originally released on a split 7" with Fear Falls Burning, available exclusively to attendees of the concert, and finds Wilson with his guitar plugged into his laptop, and again conjuring up some haunting otherworldly minimalism, delicate and abstract, before exploding into a wall of crumbling blown out droneblissdoom heaviness, a wild squall of frenzied psych guitar practically melts the speakers. Wow. Would have liked to hear him do that live. Once again, gorgeous stuff, dark and droney and blissed out and occasionally heavy as all get out, essential listening for the guitardoomdronedirge obsessed among you... Packaged in a super fancy, full color mini gatefold lp style cd sleeve."

Signed RMXS CD

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

Newbury Comics in the US have a special offer where you can order a copy of the new NSRGNTS RMXS mini album CD edition personally signed by SW. Grab one while you can! The mini album is officially released on 11th August.

King Crimson reissues

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

DGM have announced details of the first 3 reissues in the revamping of the King Crimson back catalogue, to be released in September and October as CD/DVDA editions. SW has been working on these on and off over the last year, restoring the multi-track tapes from the best possible sources, remixing the albums into 5.1 surround sound, mixing unreleased tracks and alternate takes from the master tapes for the first time, and in some cases also creating brand new stereo mixes which enhance the sonics of the originals significantly. All of this work has been personally overseen by Robert Fripp, who also took part in the stereo remixing. The first 3 titles are Red, In the Court of the Crimson King (released as close to the exact 40th anniversary of its original release as possible), and Lizard. For those that have never considered the latter to be a significant part of the KC catalogue, the 5.1 version is a revelation! Full details of all these releases (except for the multi disc box set version of In the Court of the Crimson King, for which details are still to be decided) are on the DGM website. Red can be pre-ordered now from Burning Shed.

Bass Communion - Litany

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

Tonefloat releases a new vinyl only release of recordings by SW's ongoing experiments with drone and ambient music as Bass Communion. Litany is taken from new recordings using choral/vocal samples and looping techniques. These experiments may lead to a full album at some stage, but in the meantime 23 minutes of work in progress will be issued as a 2-track 12inch EP. The ep comes in a beautiful sleeve designed by Carl Glover and will be available in limited editions of 1,000 copies on black 180 grams vinyl and 250 copies on coloured 180 grams vinyl. You can pre-order now from the Tonefloat store, or from Burning Shed. Release date is late July. Another new Bass Communion release "Chiaroscuro", a CD of the live performance in Antwerp in November 2008 in a beautiful Japanese gatefold mini LP sleeve, will also shortly be available. However, this release will be exclusive to SW's own mail order outlet Headphone Dust. More news shortly.

RMXS update

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

The forthcoming Steven Wilson NSRGNTS RMXS CD has now been expanded into a 6 track mini album, running almost 40 minutes. RMXS was originally announced as two EPs, split between a CD and a 12 vinyl release. But at the 11th hour a remix from New York dark hip hop artists dälek came in that totally blew us away, and we couldn't wait to put it out so it has been added it to the CD version of RMXS. In addition given the quality of the Abandoner remixes in the competition (and the number of votes we have had for the 8 finalists) we've decided that the winner, still to be established, will now also be included on a physical release. The newly expanded NSRGNTS RMXS 6 track mini-album will receive a full retail release in August, but an advance run of 5,000 copies will be shipping from the KScope store from June 29th (please note that the Kscope edition and the retail edition will be exactly the same). The vinyl release will remain unchanged (still 3 tracks, 1000 copies, only available from Kscope store) and a digital version with all eight tracks will be available in August.

Insurgentes Remix EP

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

SW's debut album Insurgentes was released earlier this year on Kscope. The album received a great reception, not just from fans and critics but also from fellow artists. Several of these artists have now remixed tracks from the album and NSRGNTS RMXS is a selection of these mixes. The CD edition features a mix of the albums opening track Harmony Korine by David A. Sitek, currently enjoying massive critical acclaim as leader / producer of TV On The Radio. It also features mixes of tracks by Engineers, Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson) and Fear Falls Burning. The 12 vinyl edition of NSRGNTS RMXS will be limited to 1000 copies and will only be available from the Kscope store. It also features the David A. Sitek mix along with two mixes of Only Child by Pat Mastelotto. Both the CD and 12 inch are available to pre-order now from the KScope store. Finally a digital edition will collect all six tracks available on the CD and 12 inch, and will also feature the winner of the remix competition which has been running on the Insurgentes site. The competition offered fans the chance to remix the track Abandoner. With the competition now closed, Steven has listened to all the entries and created a shortlist of eight mixes. These mixes are all available to listen to on insurgentes.org and you can vote for your favourite. Voting ends on May 29th. Steve would also like to take the opportunity to thank all the wonderful submissions to the remix competition, over 200, all of which were listened to!

BC / Pig download

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

You can now purchase the Bass Communion / Pig "Live in Mexico City" album as an mp3 download or high quality FLAC download from Burning Shed. Beautifully recorded within the natural ambience of Laboratorio de Arte Alameda in Mexico City on 27th Feb 2008, this is a collaboration between SW on guitar/laptop, and the noise / improv group from Mexico. Originally released on vinyl only by Important Records in 2008.

No-Man EP

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

Acting as a bridge between No-Man's elegiac 2008 return Schoolyard Ghosts and the forthcoming live concert DVD Mixtaped, Wherever There Is Light is a strictly limited edition 5 track enhanced CD EP release. From Schoolyard Ghosts, the poignant title track features a guest performance from US pedal steel legend Bruce Kaphan. The alt-country tinged Death Was California and the atmospheric Counting are two new songs especially written for the EP, while Carolina Skeletons and All The Blue Changes are 2 live recordings from No-Man's Autumn 2008 mini-tour. Also featuring Grant Wakefied's poetic video for the title track, a powerful preview from the Mixtaped DVD, and a striking Carl Glover designed digi-pack, the enhanced Wherever There Is Light EP is a rare and beautiful thing from the band Uncut memorably described as 'Britain's most underrated sorrowful sonic architects'. You can pre-order it now from Burning Shed - to be shipped on 11th May. Listen to the live version of All the Blue Changes from the EP on the No-Man MySpace page.

Molotov and Haze vinyl available

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

The Bass Communion "Molotov and Haze" 3 vinyl set is now available from Headphone Dust, and it's a beauty! It was originally recorded in February 2008 during a period of experimentation and preparation for the recording of SW's debut solo album "Insurgentes", using just multi layered guitars and laptop processing. The combination of glacial beauty and power drones represented a new approach for SW's experimental side. For this ToneFloat vinyl edition each of the 4 tracks from the original CD occupies one side, but 2 of the tracks are extended versions (Molotov runs 5 minutes longer, Haze 3 minutes longer) - the set is pressed on 180 gram black vinyl, and housed in a thick gatefold sleeve. In addition the first edition of 500 numbered copies includes an exclusive 10 inch vinyl of the Haze Shrapnel CD EP in its own picture sleeve. This will not be available separately. Available and shipping now from Headphone Dust.

Insurgentes merchandise

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

There are some very nice items of SW "Insurgentes" merchandise now available to order from the KScope store. A t-shirt (in 4 sizes), a super large A1 poster, and some limited edition signed prints.

Mexico City signing session

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

To tie in with the Mexican release date of the album that was partly inspired by and recorded in the city, next month Steven will return to Avenida de los Insurgentes in Mexico City to sign copies of Insurgentes and meet fans. Wednesday 15th April, at 4:30 PM - Store HARD 737 (Rock Shop), Insurgentes Sur # 363 interior 8 Mexico City.

King Crimson remixes

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

King Crimson's label DGM have announced that they will start to release Steven's 5.1 surround sound mixes of the King Crimson back catalogue in June, with "Lizard" and "Red", followed by a special 40th anniversary edition of "In the Court of the Crimson King" in October. Where appropriate new stereo mixes and out-takes / alternates have also been mixed, although we don't know yet if DGM will approve these for release as part of the new editions.

SW discography 8th edition

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

The 8th edition of Uwe Häberle's complete Steven Wilson discography is now available online. This edition contains 127 new entries, with a total of 750 entries across 369 pages. Go here to download the pdf file.

Insurgentes 2LP vinyl

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

KScope are issuing a 2 LP vinyl version of Insurgentes at the end of March, which also contains 4 additional tracks - Port Rubicon, Puncture Wound, Collecting Space, and Insurgentes (Mexico). Pressed on 180 gram vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve, this will be limited to 2,000 copies. It's available to pre-order from the KScope webstore now. The red vinyl edition of the Harmony Korine 7 inch single is now sold out, but there are a few copies left in both black and white vinyl.

Harmony Korine video on Blender

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

The video for Harmony Korine is now available to view on the website of US magazine Blender. If you haven't seen it yet, head on over there to see what all the fuss is about!

SW in Electronic Musician

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

SW appears on the cover of the current issue of US magazine Electronic Musician. The issue includes an in depth interview on the recording of "Insurgentes" and other topics. The interview is online, but the magazine features a 9 page spread which includes several photos not included on the website.

Harmony Korine video director's cut!

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

The full length director's cut of Lasse Hoile's amazing video for "Harmony Korine" is now available to view on you tube in high definition.

SW instore signing appearances

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

Insurgentes finally gets a full UK release on 9th March, and during that week Steven will be visiting some key independent record stores in London, Cheltenham, Cardiff and Bristol to sign copies of the new album. So if you would like to come along and meet Steven here's when and where to do it: MONDAY 9TH MARCH 5.30PM SISTER RAY 34-35 BERWICK STREET LONDON WIV 8RP TUESDAY 10TH MARCH 5.30PM RISE UNIT 19 BEECHWOOD CENTRE CHELTENHAM GL50 1DQ WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH 5.30PM SPILLERS RECORDS 36 THE HAYES CARDIFF CF10 1AJ THURSDAY 12 MARCH - 6.00PM FOPP BRISTOL 27-29 COLLEGE GREEN BRISTOL BS1 5TD

Loss Picture Disc / Sand Snowman

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

Now available is the beautiful picture disc vinyl edition of Bass Communion "Loss" - go here to order your copy of this limited edition of only 500 copies. Also in stock at Headphone Dust is the super limited 2 CDl edition of the brand new Sand Snowman album "Two Way Mirror", which features SW as guest singer on 2 tracks (returning the favour of Sand's memorable guest appearance on Insurgentes).