Steven Wilson, musician and songwriter, talks about his new album The Harmony Codex, the challenges of releasing a record in the modern music industry, creating a cinematic experience with his music, the immersive experience of Dolby Atmos, reflections on playing in bigger venues and the joyous experience of music.
To maintain people's attention and generate buzz, Steven Wilson released a single every week leading up to the album release.
Utilizing different social media platforms and reaching different demographics is crucial for promoting an album in the digital age.
Deep dives
The new album was released with a streamlined rollout
Stephen Wilson discusses the decision to release the album with a shorter and more intense campaign. He explains that in the digital age, it is important to keep people engaged and avoid getting lost in the constant flow of new content. By releasing a single every week leading up to the album release, Wilson aimed to maintain people's attention and generate buzz. This streamlined approach has been effective so far, with the album generating significant discussion and attention.
Utilizing various platforms and social media
When discussing how he promoted the album, Wilson highlights the importance of utilizing different social media platforms and reaching different demographics. He mentions the need to appeal to both the core fan base and attract new listeners. By creating content for platforms such as TikTok, Wilson was able to capture the attention of younger audiences. He explains that in the digital age, the landscape of promotion has expanded, and artists need to engage with fans on multiple platforms to reach a wider audience.
The creative process and influence of the COVID-19 pandemic
Wilson shares insights into his creative process for the album. He reveals that he initially started working on the album during the COVID-19 lockdown, as his touring plans were halted. With no agenda or pressure, Wilson created music purely based on his own interests and without strict adherence to genre. The album became a collection of diverse tracks, each with its own unpredictable journey. Wilson also discusses how the pandemic influenced the album's release schedule and the challenges of keeping fans engaged during the extended period between the announcement and release of the previous album.
Embracing spatial audio and the future of immersive music experiences
Wilson discusses his passion for spatial audio and his goal to create a definitive spatial audio experience with the album. He expresses his excitement about the possibilities of immersive music experiences in formats like Dolby Atmos. Wilson believes that spatial audio is gaining traction and becoming a lasting format for music consumption. He also reflects on his experience working on spatial audio remixes for other artists and mentions his willingness to take on projects that align with his own musical taste and passion.
Steven Wilson joins Roie and Geoff on the podcast to talk about his new album The Harmony Codex, songwriting, Porcupine Tree and more. The Harmony Codex is out now.
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