Skycall On the Making Of “Wendy”
What was the creative process like for this particular song?
As always, first the music, then the lyrics. Guitar in hand, I extend my antennae to connect to the universe, and I let myself be carried away by chance which sets up a series of chords that please me. Then I work on the rhythm, then the verse-chorus-bridge organization. And only then does the atmosphere and theme of the song come to me. Wendy's lyrics explore themes of disillusionment and resilience, supported by psychedelic rock guitar arrangements. Lyrically this song tells the story of Wendy, a young woman who escapes her harsh reality through artificial paradises but faces the harsh truth when the effects wear off. Despite the seemingly dark subject matter, the song conveys a message of hope and resilience. Wendy possesses the strength to rebuild her life and create a masterpiece, provided she seeks and accepts help.
Were there any challenges or obstacles you faced while creating "Wendy?"
This song is a classic in the repertoire of SkyCall, a band created in 2019 by Luc Erwin, on bass, and me, on guitar and vocals (we are both former members of Tax Free), with Didier Hoffmann on drums (subsequently replaced, in 2021, by Amanda S.). Although the band split in 2023 to allow members to pursue personal projects, I continue to carry the torch, moving the original vision of SkyCall forward, as one of the main goals was to record an LP. For “Wendy”, I had to record everything (guitars, vocals, bass, drums), drawing a lot of inspiration from the previous interpretations of Didier and Luc, and after a few unsatisfactory attempts at mastering my choice fell on Sierra Studios in Athens in Greece, under the expert touch of Alexandros Chrysidis. Currently, SkyCall's upcoming nine-track LP is in the mastering stage and “Wendy” is the first released single (the second will be Amy in mid-June).
How does "Wendy" fit into your overall artistic vision?
My experience as a neuropsychiatrist deeply influences my music, infusing my songs with a deep understanding of the human psyche. “Wendy” is no exception and is in the vein of what I usually compose. I like to mix my musical influences—my main one being Jimi Hendrix (without forgetting other emblematic groups like Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, T-Rex, Santana, Dire Straits, etc...)—with those of Rimbaud-style writing (but also Verlaine and Baudelaire, and, closer to us, Bob Dylan and Neil Young). I try to make SkyCall's sound a rich tapestry of classic rock elements mixed with a modern twist.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
When I was 17, my mother told me “be a doctor first and you can always make music”. So, I followed this advice, and now I’m a neuropsychiatrist by day and a “rockstar” by night, combining my thriving medical career with my passion for music. From N’Kap Koulou to Tax Free, Absinthe Faubourg via collaborations with Sébastien Leimacher (Magic Yerba Plaza & 61 Steps), my musical journey has been eclectic and electrifying. As the head of a psychiatry department and a pioneer in chronobiology research, I try to bring a unique perspective to my musical endeavors.
Are there any specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?
By my choices and my training, I am deeply humanist. I believe in human beings, in their capacity to love and create. However, we live in an age of ruthless deception, where the social models—of most countries—are built on the basis of money and success, and not on the intrinsic and unique qualities of the individual. The “system” aims to standardize individuals and dumb them down. When we realize this, it is not uncommon to sink into depression and despair, since there is no escape, rather than finding the strength to fight and rebel. One of the virtues of music is to reconnect you to your deeper self and give space to who you are and what you do.