Steven Wilson interview (excerpt)

Q: Recently news broke about you helping Dream Theater on their upcoming album Systematic Chaos. How did you help them out?

SW: It’s kind of a weird story actually. They’re doing this new record, and they’ve got this track on here called Redemption. It’s all about regret for the things you’ve done that maybe hurt others, and the need to apologize for those things. And I thought about for a minute and I said “why don’t I apologize for being negative in the press about Dream Theater!?” I’ve been very honest about my musical likes and dislikes in the press, and I even got in a heated discussion about going public with not being a fan of DT on your website. The thing is they are good friends of mine and they know I’m not really into their music. They don’t mind it, but their fans get more irate about it, they’re very passionate. It’s a free country. I don’t love Dream Theater; it’s not my kind of music, but they’re great people; Jordan is one of my best friends. Anyway, so I asked them “why don’t I apologize on your record?” They said, “Great idea why don’t you do it?” And I’ve heard the finished track, and it’s amazing. I’m always happy to be proved wrong!