Guitarist and singer-songwriter, Randy McStine (Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree), has released a new EP titled, “My Summer Holiday,” available exclusively on Bandcamp.
https://rmcstine.bandcamp.com/album/my-summer-holiday
“These four pieces were written and recorded in the Summer of 2025 between world tours with Steven Wilson,” says McStine, who is currently on a short break before Wilson’s ‘The Overview’ tour heads to India and Australia. “They represent another evolution in my songwriting, exploring new sounds and instruments by myself at home. The mixes have been handled beautifully by one of my favorite long-time collaborators, Tim Palmer (Tears for Fears, Robert Plant).”
While his previous solo album, Mutual Hallucinations, featured drum contributions from progressive rock luminaries Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree), Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats), and Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train), McStine abandons a traditional kit approach in favor of blending live percussion with vintage, analog drum machines.
“I borrowed a Roland TR-66 Rhythm Arranger from a friend and it became the foundation for a couple of songs,” recalls McStine. “It was my goal to start in a more unfamiliar sonic zone to encourage diff erent textures to experiment with. What I discovered was a pull towards more ethereal sounds from electric guitars and keyboards, along with my continued interest in playing fretless bass, a bit of ukulele, and a 16-string lyre harp that I picked up. This would all go on to infl uence my vocal approach as well, which varies throughout the songs.”
The diversity of McStine’s interests as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist have been evident to anyone following his quiet, steadily-emerging career over the last 15 years. Through multiple solo releases (including three albums under the name, Lo-Fi Resistance), solo performances (notably, three tours across North America and Europe with The Pineapple Thief),
collaborative projects (McStine & Minnemann, The Fringe), a multitude of guest studio appearances (Karmakanic, Frost* and Nad Sylvan more recently), and his elevated presence as a guitarist and vocalist with Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson since 2022, Randy has let his musical prowess and curiosity be his guide.
“I’m a bit of a wanderer, and I seem to be naturally wired to avoid wanting to do the same things over and over again creatively,” suggests McStine. “Sometimes I fi nd this frustrating about myself, and think it would be easier to just sit in a comfortable place for a while, but I feel most inspired when I hear myself making sounds I haven’t made before. It would be exhausting and unrealistic to feel like I have to reinvent myself every single time, though every new song or album invites an opportunity for growth in some capacity. This EP defi nitely scratches that itch for me, and I like the shorter format. It’s more of a diary entry than committing to a novel. I’m very happy with the results, and I want to put music out more frequently while it’s fresh.”
Randy McStine – Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Piano, Keyboards, Ukulele, Harp, Drum Machine, Drums and Percussion
Written and Produced by Randy McStine
Mixed by Tim Palmer, Mastered by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound
Cover and Press Photos: KT Kanazawich
Tracklisting:
1.Gloaming
2.Try to Hide
3.Drift
4.Disguised
