Musician Randy McStine, known for his work with Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree, drops latest project

gwriting, exploring new sounds and instruments by myself at home. The mixes have been expertly handled by Tim Palmer, a long-time collaborator known for his work with Tears for Fears and Robert Plant.

While McStine’s previous solo album, Mutual Hallucinations, featured drum contributions from notable prog rock figures like Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison, Marco Minnemann, and Nick D’Virgilio, “My Summer Holiday” takes a different direction by blending live percussion with vintage drum machines like the Roland TR-66 Rhythm Arranger. This shift in approach allowed McStine to experiment with new textures and sounds, drawing inspiration from ethereal electric guitars, keyboards, fretless bass, ukulele, and a 16-string lyre harp. This eclectic mix of instruments also influenced his vocal delivery, resulting in a varied and dynamic vocal performance across the EP’s four tracks.

McStine’s diverse musical interests and talents have been evident throughout his career, which spans multiple solo releases, solo performances, collaborative projects, and guest studio appearances. His work with Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson has further cemented his reputation as a versatile guitarist and vocalist with a keen sense of musical exploration and innovation.

As McStine reflects on his creative process, he acknowledges his tendency to seek out new sounds and avoid creative stagnation. While this approach can be challenging at times, he finds inspiration in pushing himself to explore unfamiliar sonic territories and experiment with different musical elements. The “My Summer Holiday” EP serves as a testament to this ethos, capturing a snapshot of McStine’s current artistic journey in a concise and focused format.

Featuring vocals, guitars, bass, piano, keyboards, ukulele, harp, drum machines, drums, and percussion all performed by McStine himself, the EP showcases his versatility as a multi-instrumentalist and producer. With mixing by Tim Palmer and mastering by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound, the EP is a polished and cohesive musical statement.

The tracklisting for “My Summer Holiday” includes four songs: “Gloaming,” “Try to Hide,” “Drift,” and “Disguised.” Each track offers a unique sonic landscape, blending elements of rock, pop, and electronica into a compelling and engaging musical journey.

Looking ahead, McStine expresses his desire to release music more frequently and continue exploring new creative avenues. By embracing change and growth with each new song or album, he remains committed to evolving as an artist and pushing the boundaries of his musical expression. “My Summer Holiday” is just the latest chapter in McStine’s musical evolution, offering a glimpse into the ever-changing landscape of his artistic vision.