114 MUSIC & ARTS
THE ART OF REINVENTION:
STEPHEN WICKS ON MUSIC, PURPOSE AND LIVING WITHOUT LIMITS
1. You’ ve reinvented yourself as a rock singer-songwriter after a long career in business. What was it that finally made you decide that the time was right to put music at the centre of your life? I have always written songs from when i was in my teens, having lost my father age 17, i became the breadwinner of the household and almost a father to my two younger brothers, i was determined to“ get on in life” and building a career kind of became my obsession, it was only after i retired, i switched my passion to my music, better late than never!
2. Your music tackles subjects such as the threat of global destruction, digital surveillance and climate change rather than more conventional themes of love and relationships. What draws you towards social commentary as a songwriter? I do write songs about“ lovey stuff” but songwriting comes from the heart and you can’ t really control what comes out, one of the benefits of being old is to be able to look back and the world has changed so much and is in such a dangerous place, writing about it seems relevant and putting those messages into songs and words, just feels so right.
3.“ The Doomsday Clock” explores the idea that humanity is closer than ever to self-destruction. When you write about issues of such enormous scale, how do you turn something so complex and frightening into a song that people can connect with? People live in their“ micro“ worlds, trying to live their lives whilst all this madness goes on around them. Music is a perfect way of showing what is really going on, the video shows a runaway train, which kind of sums up where the world is and i think putting these themes to music tells the story that needs to be told.
4. Your latest work also explores facial recognition, digital control and the potential dangers of state surveillance. Do you see songwriting as a form of protest— or perhaps even a way of starting conversations that politics and the media sometimes struggle to have? One of the massive changes in the world has been the way“ digital life” has become the norm. In my last release“ follow the Herd” it warns that we are really running the risk of becoming puppets to the state who watch and control our every move, a key line in that song is“ take away money, they can track your card”, facial recognition is a terrible intrusion into ones privacy, if my music makes people think a bit more about the digital threats around them, then that’ s great.
5. You’ ve spent decades navigating the corporate world, and your producer George Shilling describes your music as combining the discipline of a corporate career with the raw emotionality of an artist. How much does your business experience influence the way you write and create music? My music has now largely become my job. In my career, i had a mantra:“ if you want to be the best, work with the best“! This has followed me into my music, i am able to work with a top producer, George Shilling and some fantastic session musicians.
6. There’ s a fascinating message behind your career change: that creativity doesn’ t have an expiry date. Do you think society places too many limitations on what people are expected to do at different stages of their lives? I think there is an expectation that when you get old, you sit down in a chair and slow right down; I am speeding up! When your horizon is getting shorter, you have to get as much done while you can. I am convinced that keeping the brain active makes you live longer!
7. You’ re already looking ahead to songs about climate change, homelessness and politics. Is there a particular issue that you feel most urgently needs a voice through your music right now? All those topics are on my agenda and definitely to explore why older people are treated so poorly in our society, when they have so much to give.
8. You’ ve said your age is part of what makes your story unusual. What would you say to someone who has reached a later stage in life but still has an ambition they haven’ t pursued— and perhaps assumes it’ s too late? It’ s never too late to“ Rock and Roll”!
Age really is just a number …….
www. stephenwicks. co. uk
THE ART OF LUXURY ISSUE 78 2026