Rocker Gabriel launches The Filter

Peter Gabriel has launched The Filter for his website fans

While the internet may be a great place for entertainment, not everyone has the tech savvy - or the patience - to search seemingly infinite websites to discover something new.

But British rocker Peter Gabriel thinks he has found a way to help with his site, appropriately titled The Filter, which debuts on Tuesday.

"The internet, which I think is an amazing creation, provides access to an ocean of limitless information, but without filtering it's easy to drown," Gabriel, 58, said. "But if you have this little friend on your shoulder, that can pick out music to listen to and films to look it, it's something I would use provided I could steer it a little."

The site, which will provide users with daily recommendations, was founded by Gabriel and Martin Hopkins, a jazz fan.

Hopkins first came up with the idea of filtering content to discover new or forgotten music according to one's individual mood.

Users who visit The Filter will initially be asked to fill out basic information and rate different genres of music and film, and also different acts and movies. The filter uses that information to work out what kind of suggestions to make, and the more a fan uses the site, the more accurate the recommendations become, according to the site's developers.

Gabriel recently had soul music and Nick Drake on his own Filter page. He also likes Radiohead and Icelandic band Sigur Ros.

"It's the attraction of being still in touch with interesting and new things without having to make the effort to research them all the time," said Gabriel, pointing out the "inherent laziness in my nature".

"I'm a tired thumb person, I'm a channel clicker. Maybe it's a male thing. I know there's good stuff I'd love to watch out there but I don't want to search all the time," he added.

He also does not have the time. The singer has a six-year-old son and another son on the way with his second wife. He also has two adult daughters.

The Press Association