ED WYNNE

We touch down on planet Earth with the captain of Ozric Tentacles’ space rock craft, Ed Wynne, following the release of his debut solo album, last year’s Shimmer Into Nature

- Rod Brakes 

Some 36 years after inadvertently forming Ozric Tentacles in a field in Wiltshire (and as many albums later) Ed Wynne released his debut solo LP, Shimmer Into Nature. Produced and mixed by Ed at his home studio in rural Scotland, it’s a genrebending trip of an album that instinctively leans on the guitarist’s most essential influences of psychedelia, prog rock, world music and electronica (read: ‘for fans of Ozric Tentacles’!). During last year’s tour with the legendary Gong, we asked Ed what his plans are for Ozric Tentacles now that his solo career appears to be officially underway. “It’s on hiatus, and I’ll get back to it,” he told us. “But for now, I’m loving this incarnation.”

In what ways does Shimmer Into Nature contrast with Ozric Tentacles, and what made you decide to go about it separately?

“It used to be that Ozrics were the freest band and would do any style or any genre and anything goes, but it’s become a bit of a sound now. I thought, ‘I’m going to stretch out, make some clean sounds and enjoy my own company in the studio for a bit.’ It’s quite weird seeing my name on the [album] title, but it’s been my ambition to do it – and I’ve been doing it and now I’ve done it and I’m happy with having done it. My father [sculptor David Wynne] was very solo and independent. He always said, ‘Try doing it on your own and see how it feels.’ To be honest, it does feel quite nice and interesting. I’ve done my rock band thing… Even if it did sound a bit rocky last night when I switched the wah pedal on. I was like, ‘Sorry guys, we’re back here again!’”

Were you encouraged musically from an early age?