| JC | ||
|---|---|---|
| External links | ||
Interview by Isaac Davis Jr., MBAMusic Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series |
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||
John Wicks | ||
Junior's Cave had the pleasure to speak with the amazing well respected record producer and songwriter John Wicks via online in this in-depth interview that looks at the life of the man who has accomplished so much in his music career.
Isaac: You are a well respected and accomplished record producer and songwriter. You have also worked with numerous artists in the United States and the United Kingdom. What has fueled your passion and desire to make, write, and produce music?
JW: Thank you Isaac. To answer your question, I really feel that being an 'angry young man' always helped me with that, LOL.
Seriously, growing up, I had a lot of issues at school. It seemed that for the most part, a good many of the teachers were way too hung up about the length and style of a young boy's hair, rather than actually doing their job. Not so much teaching and educating, more like preaching and dictating.
As a result of this, not surprisingly, I developed a somewhat surly and bad attitude towards authority in general. Accordingly, mesmerized by The Beatles, and in particular, John Lennon's similar rebellious distaste for authority, I immersed myself in music as a way and means to vent my adolescent angst. (You can probably just imagine my delight and excitement when The Rolling Stones, with their antisocial stance, burst onto the scene!) Inspired by many of the new bands emerging around that time, I soon began channeling my pent-up aggression into the songs that I'd begun feverishly composing. So, initially anyway - 'school was my fuel' - if you will, then as I made my way in the world, I was constantly struck by the injustices of life, and to this day I am still appalled and horrified by the awful stuff that befalls people on a daily basis. So, instead of subsiding, the anger has stayed with me, and the songs just keep on comin'! You may well ask: 'What happened to the angry young man?' Well, he just got old!
(That 'gettin' old' thing makes me mad too, by the way!)
Young and angry = Cool! Old and angry = Curmudgeon!
Oh well…
Isaac: I hear you on old and angry. I feel it too sometimes….
Isaac: You are perhaps best known as the lead singer-songwriter from the UK mod powerpop band, The Records. How did your time performing with the band help shape you musically?
JW: Yes, that was my/our 15 minute; (Which in today's world equates to more like 15 seconds)!
To be honest, at that point in time, I had more raw ambition than finesse, and I really don't feel that I was as well prepared for being in a potentially successful situation as, ideally, I should have been. And not wishing to sound like an - 'end of term school report' - I was also lacking in confidence.
So, although I may have conveyed the impression that I had it together, in reality, I really didn't.
That said, my tenure with the band was a very important part of the learning curve for me, as I continued to evolve as a writer, artist and performer. And, in addition to honing my musical skills, perhaps even more importantly, I learned a great deal about myself and my strengths and weaknesses; (Not to mention a whole lot more about the trials and pitfalls of the music business)!
Isaac: Out of all of your musical influences, who would you enjoy working with and why?
JW: Dave Grohl. Because to me, some of his material with Foo Fighters is reminiscent of some of our songs from back in the day, even more so to some of the songs I've written in recent years. 'Learn To Fly' and 'Times Like These' for example, are both wonderfully melodic songs, with very cool lyrics and a rock edge. Plus, in addition to being a great singer, and a cool guy, Dave is an awesome drummer! Would love to hear him and the band do a rendition of my songs 'Edges of a Dream' and 'That Girl Is Emily.' So, when you're done with 'Them Crooked Vultures' Dave, please give me a call!
Isaac: What can you say has been the biggest accomplishment so far with your enriching music career?
JW: In a word: Surviving! And without having completely lost my marbles! (This, b.t.w., falls into that category of the saying: 'Many a true word spoken in jest!') That aside, professionally speaking, I guess the modest level of brief - and all too fleeting - success that we enjoyed back in our heyday, could arguably qualify. Having said that, the fact that things didn't exactly go according to plan, and as a consequence we didn't get to go all the way, remains a thorn in my side to this day. Accordingly, it's kind of 'bitter-sweet' - inasmuch as I definitely don't feel a real sense that I've accomplished anything close to what I set out to achieve.
A case of unfinished business, if you will, hence my need to soldier on.
Isaac: What do you feel it takes to play the type of music that you play?
JW: A shitload of practice! LOL. In reality, it really does, as the material I write is deceptively complex. I'm not talking 'Steely Dan' complexity here, but nevertheless, a good many folks underestimate it, when in reality, it's way more difficult to pull off really well than they initially realize. I've been made acutely aware of this fact, having auditioned countless players over the years.
I should say here, that it's not my wish to sound disrespectful in any way towards anyone in particular. But the simple fact of the matter is, to record and perform this music to the requisite high standards that I feel the songs deserve, requires a great deal of time, effort and attention to detail on my part, and also by everyone else involved in the process. I mean, if I had a dollar for how often I hear someone say: "But you wrote it! So why can't you play it?!" I'd have 3 bucks! LOL!
Ultimately though, if anyone has a hard time working with me, I just point them in Becker and Fagen's direction!
Isaac: What does it take to be a good songwriter and why is it important for artists to be able to write their own words?
JW: Speaking personally, a vivid imagination, coupled with an obsessive personality helps tremendously. And of course an open mind. Also a burning desire to compose the 'perfect song' - which is of course a vain quest in and of itself. But when it comes to writing, I find true inspiration tends to come in short, intense bursts, feels like I'm being propelled by some inner force. At such times that I'm creatively driven, I find I'm able to be extremely prolific, and I always hope that this state of being will endure, although sadly it never does! That's when I endeavor to let go, bide my time and wait for the next wave of inspiration to break. I just attended a screening of the "Who Is Harry Nilsson" documentary, here in L.A., and at one point in the movie, someone, I forget who, expressed the opinion, that when it comes to composing great melodies, it's a gift, and you can't teach a person how to write them. Well, no one 'taught' me! So who knows? Maybe that really is the case.
As far as lyrics are concerned, I think it's important for a songwriter/artist to write their own words, where possible, so long as they have something to say that's worth saying. Most of my lyrics manifest from my sub-conscious mind, sometimes I'm able to make sense of them, and kind of like magic, a story unfolds and a song gets finished, sometimes not. At the end of the day, it's a hit and miss process, the rule being, that there are no rules; which for someone like me - who has issues with authority and convention - is just perfect!
Isaac: How difficult is it to juggle music, family and work obligation, and life in general? Explain.
JW: Logistically, it can be quite a difficult task, which is an understatement to say the least!
One thing I've found over the years, is that living with, or around a creative, self-absorbed person, is certainly an issue, and can be very tough on interpersonal relationships in general.
By way of example, in order for me to get the creative juices flowing, it's a necessary, and extremely important part of the writing process, to allow my mind to wander, for indeed, this is the bedrock and very foundation on which the songs are built. Throw the Internet - with its 24/7/365 connected 'hamster-on-a-wheel' world - into the equation, and - BOOM!! Social networking, E-mail, Cellphone, iPhone, Desktop, Laptop, Hard-top, Soft-top, Flat-top, ZZ Top! (Gotta make time to listen to those guys'!) iPod, yPod? - Rockband, Gaming, Upload, Download, Freeload, High Road, Hi-Fi, Wi-Fi, Soundbite, GOOD NIGHT!
It's just insane! Leaves one precious little time to breathe, let alone think, write songs and/or play music! Perhaps as we evolve as a species, we'll adapt and be able to function efficiently without the aid of sleep. Maybe then we'll finally have a handle on it and get on top of things. Since that's probably not a very likely or realistic scenario, it's largely down to effective time-management, which, with all the above-mentioned distractions to contend with, is much easier said than done, for sure.
So, taking all this into account, if anything, in this day and age, I find that it's gotten even more difficult to juggle all those aspects of one's existence.
For more related to this subject, The Internet, Cyberspace etc..., with all of its up and down sides, please take a listen to my song 'Rising Stars' - from 'Rotate.'
Isaac: Where can fans access your music online?
JW: They are very welcome to visit my website:
www.johnwicksandtherecords.com
where they can interact, access audio and videoclips, download, and purchase product, such as my current CD 'Rotate' and much more ...
Also my 2 MySpace sites feature audio and videoclips:
www.myspace.com/johnwicksandtherecords
www.myspace.com/johnwickssolo
(Nothing is available for sale or download on the MySpace sites.)
Various audio/videoclips can also be accessed on, and via my Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/johnwicksandtherecords
And of course my CD 'Rotate' and 'The Records Play Live!!' CD can be purchased, and/or downloaded from many of the familiar sites, such as CD Baby, iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, etc...
Google - "John Wicks and The Records" - and a whole host of sites selling my wares will appear on your screen! And be sure to check out YouTube, where numerous videoclips can be found, both old and new, for your viewing pleasure.
Lastly, if you can tear yourself away from the computer, you might get really lucky and stumble upon a bricks 'n' mortar record store that's still standing, and snag yourself a rare "Records" gem!
Then you can have me sign it and sell it for a small-fortune on e-bay! Such are the joys of being caught up and entangled in the World Wide Web!
Isaac: 2011 will be……
JW: Even better and more frantic than 2010 - because, in addition to a video of my song 'Desert Sky' - there are some other pleasant surprises in store, all tied in with the release of my highly anticipated new CD!
|
|
from Sonicbids artists for general review and feature consideration. some exposure in a modern, inventive publication with an established client base. |
