From corporate success to full-time songwriting at 75, Stephen Wicks proves it’s never too late to create. We discuss “The Doomsday Clock,” creativity, experience, and hope.
1. Your
journey from a successful career as a property entrepreneur and corporate
executive to becoming a full-time singer-songwriter is remarkable. What
ultimately inspired you to make such a profound creative transition?
I have
always written songs, but until i retired from the corporate world, i was the
“secret songwriter “, I see life as a series of chapters, this is my next
chapter (probably my last) and it would have been a shame if my compositions
never saw the light of day.
Also, to do
anything creative, you need to be in the right “head space” i found it very
difficult to really focus on my music while i was busy building up companies.
There is
obviously the factor of one’s horizon getting smaller and thinking “it’s now or
never”!
2. Music
and songwriting have been part of your life for many years. How has your
perspective on music—and on what you want to say through it—evolved with age
and experience?
Having been
writing songs for over 50 years, it is almost like uncovering diary’s you have
written and long forgotten, influences from the 70s and 80s are definitely
there as well as experiences and emotions felt at the time, it is sometimes a
bit unsettling to be honest.
The songs
have evolved as i have moved through time, I have written a lot about love and relationships,
but what is coming out since i have really focused more recently, is more
social commentary, things that are going on in the world that are important, i
guess i am just an angry old man!
3. “The
Doomsday Clock (85 Seconds to Midnight)” tackles some of humanity’s most
serious challenges. What was the moment or idea that made you feel this
particular subject needed to become a song?
The
Doomsday clock …. i had already started writing it when Iran blew up, it seems
like the world is entering its final and most dangerous phase, with irrational
people like Trump in control of the world’s destiny.
The idea
for the video, based around an out-of-control runaway train, seemed a fitting
way to emphasize the message in the song.
4. The
Doomsday Clock is a powerful symbol of humanity’s proximity to catastrophe.
What does that image mean to you personally, and why do you think it resonates
so strongly today?
The message
in the song is scary and not far from the truth , i have already lived a pretty
long and fulfilled life and i really feel for my children and grandchildren ,
it is difficult to see a bright future for them and for them to enjoy the same
as i have.
5. Your
lyrics address climate change, nuclear proliferation, artificial intelligence,
and geopolitical instability. How did you approach bringing such complex global
issues together without losing the emotional impact of the song?
The serious
subjects i am choosing to write about are so overwhelmingly compelling and
powerful, that they ironically enhance the emotional impact of the songs, I
don’t really know any other song writers, but when i write, it is an outpouring
of lyrics that are unstoppable and unpredictable….quite frightening what is
stored in my head!
6.
George Shilling has worked with artists such as Blur, Primal Scream, and Steve
Winwood. What did you learn from working with a producer of his experience, and
how did he help shape the final version of the track?
George
Shilling is a wonderful very talented guy, who has become a good friend.
I always
say “he turns the water into the wine”!
I go into
the studio with the raw track and he brings out the best in it, because he is a
multi-instrumentalist he can supplement my fairly rudimentary guitar work and
despite his track record with the great and famous, makes me feel very at ease
And interprets my ideas brilliantly .
I am very
fortunate to have the resources to bring in terrific session musicians to play
on my tracks and have a few that regularly work with me.
7. You
have described your philosophy as “if you want the best, surround yourself with
the best.” How did Stefan Hauk’s guitar work contribute to the sound,
atmosphere, and intensity of “The Doomsday Clock”?
Stefan in
my view is one of the best young guitarists in Australia, he has a knack of
interpreting the right solo for the song, I never give him guidance he just
“feels it” I am never disappointed!
8. The
song combines urgent rock instrumentation with a cinematic sense of tension.
What kind of sonic atmosphere did you envision when you first began writing it?
I wanted to
create a song that reflected the urgency of a world “on the brink” the sonic
atmosphere of the track evolved as i added more layers to it, the combination
of strings and heavy rock guitar, air raid sirens and the spoken warning
combine to achieve that.
9. The
official video visually explores the relentless ticking of time and the
fragility of our planet. How closely does the visual concept reflect the story
and emotions you wanted the song to communicate?
I work with
a fantastic filmmaker Dan Hart, the scenario of a runaway train driven by
skeletons and the use of AI showing what a nuclear Armageddon would look like i
hope captures the message powerfully, the ticking clock reminds us how close we
are to the edge.
10. At
74, you are demonstrating that creativity and artistic reinvention have no age
limit. What would you say to people who believe it is too late to pursue a
creative ambition they have carried for years?
Now just
turned 75! if you are fortunate enough to have your health, then older age
really can be amazing and offers unique artistic, emotional and professional
advantages.
Decades of
heartbreaks, triumphs and losses provide endless lyrical material and carry the
weight of lived experience.
Anyone that
has an unfulfilled ambition should not use age as an excuse; it’s never too
late to rock and roll!
11. This
is your fifth single, and you are now fully dedicated to music. How do you see
your artistic identity developing as you continue releasing new material?
I now have a great small team supporting my endeavors and hope that each release gets better, my creativity has gone into top gear and an album could be on the cards soon.
12. “The
Doomsday Clock” is ultimately a warning, but also potentially a call to action.
What do you hope listeners take away from the song—and what message would you
like to leave with future generations?
I was
hoping the Doomsday Clock would be a “wake up call”, highlighting global
dangers and how little time humanity has left to change course.
I have
tried to create a driving rock song that captures the direction the world is
heading before time runs out!
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