Prog Issue 131

Originally founded as a music store in October 2004, Melodic Revolution Records are now celebrating 15 years as an independent label based in the USA. The team behind it is a family of music fanatics and musicians delivering music that inspires the listener and makes them think while cultivating memories: this is music that will stand the test of time and music you didn’t know you would love. The label is home to diverse sounds from many cultures and countries including, but not limited to, the UK, Lebanon, Argentina, Costa Rica, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Australia, Finland, USA, and Sweden. In 2019 Melodic Revolution Records launched the sub-label PeacockSunrise Records and in early 2021, founder Nick Katona joined the RoSFest team as Vice President and one of the festival’s six directors. How to…

Hello, and welcome to the new issue of Prog magazine. Who would have thought we’d be sat here with a new Porcupine Tree album in 2022? It’s an incredibly exciting time, not just for fans, but also to see how the band’s return, on a much bigger scale than when they left us in 2010, impacts progressive music as a whole. Dom Lawson talks to all three current members, who reveal they’ve been working on this material for quite a while, and discuss what lies ahead for them 0n p36. As I say, exciting times. Porcupine Tree might not be the newest of bands, but they still represent a younger cover artist than we often feature, a fact highlighted by the Star Letter this issue from Pete Smith (p10). He asks…

Originally founded as a music store in October 2004, Melodic Revolution Records are now celebrating 15 years as an independent label based in the USA. The team behind it is a family of music fanatics and musicians delivering music that inspires the listener and makes them think while cultivating memories: this is music that will stand the test of time and music you didn’t know you would love. The label is home to diverse sounds from many cultures and countries including, but not limited to, the UK, Lebanon, Argentina, Costa Rica, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Australia, Finland, USA, and Sweden. In 2019 Melodic Revolution Records launched the sub-label PeacockSunrise Records and in early 2021, founder Nick Katona joined the RoSFest team as Vice President and one of the festival’s six…

A HAT TIP TO THE GREAT WHITE Rarely have I been moved so much by the passing of a musician as I have by the loss of Alan White. If ever there was a band that could be said to epitomise prog music, it surely has to be Yes. It’s all there: the long songs, the incomprehensible lyrics, the classical influences, the orchestras, the album covers, the instrumental virtuosity, and, of course the stunningly inventive music. And at the very heart of all that for 50 years – longer than any other member of Yes – was Alan White. After Bill Bruford departed Yes in ’72, Alan was there in every Yes line-up, photo, concert and album. The only other Yes member that comes anywhere near that is, of course, the late…

NICK DVIRGILIO @NDVMusic Finally in the same room, I mean on the same boat, together. Next is to share the same stage together. Just sayin’. #troika #cruisetotheedge RICK WAKEMAN CBE @GrumpyOldRick Had a great couple of days in the studio working on the album… I hadn’t heard what I had already recorded for a few months and what I heard after such a long time put a real smile on my face. A few more weeks of recording and we’re there. Really exciting… NICK BEGGS @NickBeggs When your granddaughter tells you that you are a weirdo you know you’re doing something right. NAD SYLVAN @SylvanOfficial Visiting artist Robin and Dennis Damore overnight in Vancouver, Washington. She painted the Spiritus Mundi cover. Thanks for having me! PETE TREWAVAS @PeteTrewavas Stockholm. Last night was a very special occasion. The emotion, friendship, love and care going around…

Hello, and welcome to the new issue of Prog magazine. Who would have thought we’d be sat here with a new Porcupine Tree album in 2022? It’s an incredibly exciting time, not just for fans, but also to see how the band’s return, on a much bigger scale than when they left us in 2010, impacts progressive music as a whole. Dom Lawson talks to all three current members, who reveal they’ve been working on this material for quite a while, and discuss what lies ahead for them 0n p36. As I say, exciting times. Porcupine Tree might not be the newest of bands, but they still represent a younger cover artist than we often feature, a fact highlighted by the Star Letter this issue from Pete Smith (p10). He…