Steve Hackett wrote a new song after being inspired by a fever dream.
The Genesis guitarist takes a fantastical route on his new concept album ‘The Circus and the Nightwhale’, and he took inspiration from anywhere it sprung on him, particularly on the choral introduction to new track ‘Ghost Moon and Living Love’.
He told Prog magazine: “I dreamt that melody many years ago when I was recovering from [the often fatal] swamp fever. I heard this beautiful music that felt very healing.
“I was telling the story to [famed cover artist] Roger Dean, and he said, ‘I find that fascinating! Why don’t you record it?’
“I thought, ‘Are people really going to be interested in things I’ve literally dreamt?’ But it felt like a gift, something otherworldly I had to use sooner or later.”
Although his own life had an impact on the new collection, the 73-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer created a fictional protagonist called Travla to focus on.
He explained: “It’s the arc of a life that starts literally. Then it becomes metaphorical and we start to embrace story, not just little Stevie Hackett and his guitar exploits.”
He made sure to cast his net wide when it came to influences on the story, lyrics and music, with literary classics playing a key role.
He added: “I was considering the hero’s quest that life is. The changes we go through and the challenges we face.
“I’d also been thinking about Joseph Campbell’s [1949 book on mythical structure] ‘The Hero With A Thousand Faces’, and his take on what a life journey is.
“Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’ comes into this album; ‘Pinocchio’ comes into it. It feels very special and personal, but I’ve tried to make it as inclusive as possible.”
He described the process of making the album – which he compared to “a film for the ear” – as “extraordinary”.
He said: “It’s been extraordinary making this record.
“I grew up in a time when music changed the world, and I’ve always felt the album can be a really powerful force. I really hope people enjoy listening to this one.”