Steve Hackett, the iconic guitar player, is on the road again. This time the tour is called The Best Of Genesis & Solo Gems Tour. Before the gig in Aachen, I had again the chance to talk to the former guitarist of Genesis, and although Steve had little time he was still very talkative and friendly. So, without further ado, here we go..

Hi Steve, nice to talk to you again. The current setlist contains a new song called The Sea Inside. What is the song about?

Steve Hackett

"Hi, Martien, nice to see you again too. Well, the new song is a love song about what one feels inside. It is quite a turbulent track, but none the less it's a cross between something cinematic, a love song, a rock song, and some folk as well. The Sea Inside contains elements of all these genres. It's full of 'contradictory instrumentation' if you like. It eludes all those genres I just mentioned, but live it sounds gigantic. I have a recording of the song at home, but I'm evolving the track with the guys in the band. I am extremely proud of that song because the audience responds very well to it. It is a new direction, a new way, but based on the idea of the power of acoustic instruments."

So, The Sea Inside is a song for the new album. How far are you with the new album?
"It is very close to completion."

Where do you usually compose new songs? Do you write while you're on tour?
"Most of the time when I'm on tour, I'm too distracted to write and compose new things. I can produce them a bit, but I don't spend every day trying to be a full-time maker of albums. Touring usually requires a lot of energy, and when I'm travelling I sleep a lot, so to be honest, I find it hard to keep focused ... I don't think that anyone can be brilliant every day, but I know people who are very productive. They are recording parts for their new album in the dressing room, and then they go on stage and play their gig. I have a lot of admiration for the people who can do that!"

Those people are probably a lot younger...
"Maybe they are younger than I am, that might be true. I have recorded live while touring, but not that much. There is a certain trait in my character that thinks I thrive better in the studio, but that is actually a contradiction, isn't it? What is a live album? Is it to show that you are alive, or is it your act during a live show? The perfect album would be a mixture of those things I mentioned before, but this rarely happens, right?"

Nad Sylvan

Do you think that the new album will become your final album?
"Oh, no! I'm working on two subsequent albums, so I'm recording this one to put the finishing touch to it. I'm also working on an acoustic album with some classical instruments for some classical pieces. Furthermore, I want to work on a personal best album, songs of which I am proud. Let's face it, no matter how brilliant you think you might be, not every track is a masterpiece, but in hindsight some songs are really wonderful."

There are two new band members: Lalle Larsson and Felix Lehrmann. Where did you find them and why are they the right guys for your band?
"Well, I often joke about the fact that Jonas Reingold is our recruiting officer. He once said to me: we should collaborate with Lalle Larsson or Felix Lehrmann. I think you like them, and indeed he is always right. Lalle has worked with The Flower Kings and Felix collaborated with Agents Of Mercy and The Flower Kings as well. So, now we have three Swedish guys in the band: Nad Sylvan, Jonas Reingold and Lalle Larsson. Felix lives in Berlin, and Rob Townsend, the other English guy, now lives in Denmark. So, I'm the only real English guy in the band right now. The current band members are technically the best I ever worked with, and that's not just an opinion. It's a great pleasure to play with these guys every night."

So, you play your solo songs and classic Genesis songs. Are there still Genesis songs you've never played live before?
"There are indeed Genesis songs I have never played live..."

And are you planning to do that in the future?

Rob Townsend

"You know what? In my opinion, I played the best pieces of the Genesis catalogue from whatever Genesis era. Obviously, in the seventies I was part of the lineup of Genesis, but it is the same material that we are going to play at the Proms. The Genesis songs are making its way into the classical canon. Even though, I think that the people who wrote the songs with me often dismiss it. However, if Genesis had been slightly less successful, I dare to say, that the quality of the compositions would have been more adventurous."

According to your manager, I must now ask my last question. If I were Steve Hackett and you were the interviewer, what would be your last question?
"Oh, my god, here we go..., well, why are you still doing this at your advanced age?"

And the answer would be?
"I still love to perform my own music, but I still love the Genesis stuff as well. The funny thing is, even though I left the band in a way, I feel very close to the spirit of whatever was. Tony Banks recently said to me: 'You are keeping the legacy and the spirit of the band alive, and that is a wonderful thing to do.' That is why I continue to keep it alive."

Is there ever a chance of a reunion?
"The other guys are probably too proud to admit that we ever need each other. They are very competitive. Sorry, Martien, but I must go now because the audience is waiting for me."

Anyway, thank you for your time, Steve.
"Thank you, it's always a pleasure talking to you. Again, it was a good and interesting interview."