Colin Edwin

The multi-instrumentalist Colin Edwin, born in Melbourne in 1970, established himself as a prominent figure in the progressive rock scene through a nearly two-decade tenure with Porcupine Tree. Beyond his work with the band, he has cultivated a diverse career as a session musician and composer, utilizing fretless bass, double bass, and the guimbri across various international projects.

Early Career and Porcupine Tree

After moving to Hemel Hempstead, England, during his youth, Edwin met Steven Wilson. In December 1993, he joined Wilson's project, Porcupine Tree. He remained with the group until its initial dissolution in 2011, contributing to nine studio albums and thirteen live releases. During this period, he also provided double bass accompaniment for Wilson's project, No-Man, appearing on the 2001 album Returning Jesus.

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Experimental Collaborations

Edwin's interest in ethno-fusion and ambient music led him to co-found Ex-Wise Heads in 1999 with Geoff Leigh and Vincent Salzfaas. His collaborative output expanded significantly after 2011, working with Eraldo Bernocchi in projects such as Metallic Taste of Blood and Obake. He also established a long-running creative partnership with guitarist Jon Durant, resulting in the albums Dance of the Shadow Planets, Burnt Belief, and Etymology.

Technical Style and Equipment

Edwin integrates jazz-influenced techniques into rock compositions. His equipment history includes a 1994 Wal Mark I fretless bass, which served as his primary instrument for many years. To manage the low-tuned requirements of the 2007 album Fear of a Blank Planet, he adopted Spector Euro 4LX-35 basses, favoring their extended scale length for tonal clarity. He also employs Music Man StingRay and Bongo models.

Recent Projects

His activity in the 2010s included joining the experimental jazz rock band Henry Fool in 2014 and forming the group O.R.k. in 2015, which released albums such as Inflamed Rides and Ramagehead. Additionally, he has recorded with the collective Armonite and the vocal duo Astarta. As of 2025, he has launched The Baldock Transmission and initiated a touring project with John Wesley titled Voyage 35.