As my seasonal gift to you here is my Xmas song! Yes something you probably never knew you needed or wanted, but there is a story behind this one, because a Christmas song is not really something I could ever have imagined myself doing, and no doubt you’re thinking the same (that miserablist Steven Wilson, really?!)
A few weeks ago I was out with two friends Jonathan, and Steve Rothery, and the subject got on to the annual tradition of the Marillion (Steve’s band) Christmas song, at which point Jonathan asked me why I’d never done one. I protested it wasn’t really me, and besides I didn’t think I had it in me to write suitably Christmassy lyrics. “No problem”, he said, “we’ll get ChatGPT to do it for you”, upon which he instructed the AI on his iPhone to generate 'Christmas lyrics in the style of Steven Wilson'. Which it proceeded to do, by the yard in fact, I was shocked at how instantaneous and easy it was to guide it (“don’t actually mention Christmas” we said to it, “make it feel more lonely”…etc). At this point it occurred to me maybe it would be an interesting experiment to see if I could set the lyrics to music, effectively collaborating with an AI version of myself. December Skies is the result, swiftly recorded with a guitar solo from Randy McStine, who also added some extra backing vocals. And yes it’s got sleigh bells (and a key change).
I’m still not entirely sure what I think about AI, but it’s clearly not going away, so this is my experiment to try embracing it and using it as a tool in the creative process. And of course also to have some fun doing something I wouldn’t normally do in the spirit of the season. I really hope you enjoy the song, I’m quite pleased with the way it came out, but I’m also very curious to know what you make of the whole AI aspect and how it’s going to impact music and the creative process. I’m not entirely sure what I feel about it all myself yet. I can imagine it being helpful in terms of generating starting points for ideas or lyrics, but obviously there’s the existential question of isn’t art supposed to somehow reflect the human condition and the soul? And it’s not supposed to be easy, that’s part of it isn't it?
In keeping with the artificial intelligence theme, the visualiser for December Skies has also been generated using a purpose built AI system created by Miles Skarin/Crystal Spotlight. The video is based on imagery drawn from some of my previous videos, especially the animated ones by Jess Cope, then placed into 2D and 3D backdrops. Again Miles turned this around in an incredibly short time, something that was only possible with AI.
In so many ways we are living through strange times.
Best wishes to you and your loved ones for Christmas, Steven x
Well, I pushed for 'Drive Home' too but it was rejected.
I reckon that Wilson hit it out of park with every album since the Raven that refused to sing album. From my perspective, there is RP material on each one of those albums. Hand Cannot Erase gets some air play but the latest To The Bone gets none.
Allow me to be perfectly clear (in my best tricky Dicky accent): Porcupine Tree albums from Signify to The Incident were are all terrific. First rate.
But for those who grasp the original mandate of prog rock, his solo material is as good or better.
