Steven Wilson

POST-PROG POWER RANGER

What music are you currently grooving to?

Of all the original ’90s generation of Warp label electronic acts, Autechre have proved to be the most inventive, and I love both new albums, Sign and Plus. I love postminimalism fused with electronics, and Max Richter’s album Voices is some of the most beautiful music. I recently discovered Shawn

Phillips’ Second Contribution, from 1970, which blew me away.

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album? You’ll think I’m joking: Swingin’ In A Winter Wonderland by The Hiltonaires With The Tony Mansell Singers – easy listening Christmas standards, it holds such nostalgic resonance.

What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it?

Carly Simon, Nobody Does It Better, from Rumbelows, Hemel Hempstead, after my dad had taken me to see The Spy Who Loved Me. I still love it.

Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be? Prince. He was the ultimate pop star, he could do everything.

What do you sing in the shower? With a sense of weary irony, Cliff

Richard’s Summer Holiday, because we haven’t had one. Also, Slug Bait by Throbbing Gristle.

What is your favourite Saturday night record?

Donna Summer’s Love To Love You Baby. It was one of two LPs my parents listened to over and over. The relevant reason is you can create disco-based music, and turn it into a journey. As for [her sexy moaning], I thought she was excited about what she what doing!

And your Sunday morning record? Talk Talk’s The Colour Of Spring.

They’re in a transitional phase, moving to something more sophisticated.