Sheersho Zaman
” You’ve got your solitude
And I’ve got my peace
And nothing in that moment matters more
If only in just this one fragment
Together it grows
This tree may be aimless may be lost
Right where I need to be…”
Steven Wilson is one of the biggest names in the progressive rock industry. His band Porcupine Tree, along with his solo work and his countless other projects are held in very high regard. His music though is a bit esoteric in nature, leading to his name not too known amongst the mainstream. Another giant in the progressive rock industry is Mariusz Duda, the bassist-vocalist of the highly acclaimed band Riverside.
The collaboration of these two would be a dream come true for many fans of the progressive rock genre. This dream did come true around the year 2014, to the joy of many fans. However, not many who knew the story behind the scenes rejoiced at the matter, as it was a story shrouded in sadness.
Alec Wildey was a passionate fan who had given most of his time to supporting acts like Steven Wilson and Riverside from a young age of 17. He was also an avid listener of music, as well as movie buff. He had also taken to self-publish his own poetry. A truly gifted individual with a beautiful soul he was.
However, Alec’s life came to a standstill on the eve of Christmas 2013 when he was diagnosed with cancer in the lymphatic system. During a diagnosis shortly after, the situation turned from bad to worse when he learnt he also had liver cancer. Chemotherapy treatments, among others, were all being employed but it was of no use. He soon understood that he had a short time left. It was during this time that Alec emailed Steven Wilson himself, asking him if his two favorite musicians, Steven and Mariusz, could team up and make a song out of one of Alec’s poems. It had been one of his lifelong dreams. Steven Wilson almost immediately agreed, but on the condition that Alec live long enough to hear it, or even play drums for the song. Tragically, however, Alec passed away shortly after on 25 August 2014. He was just 26 years old at the time.
For Steven and Mariusz, the recording of the song became less of a fulfillment of a dying wish and more of a tribute to Alec and his family. It was then that the duo sat down with Alec’s poem “The Old Peace” and made a song out of it. Mariusz contributed to setting music to it while Steven’s voice sang the words so beautifully written. The track is available for download at: – https://www.burningshed.com/store/downloads/multiproduct/199/4853/
It is very important to stress the importance of actually buying this song instead of pirating it as 50% of the proceeds would be going to the medical centre where Alec spent his final months and the other 50% would be going to other cancer support group charities.
The song itself shows you the kind of person Alec was. If one were to describe it in one word, the word would be “bliss”. May he rest in peace.