Sky Call - Are You Ready Now?
(•)> Cru cru, what first got you into music?
Jimi Hendrix playing “Hey Joe”... I saw him in a French TV show. It was in 1966. My Dad said "who is this guy who is eating is guitar?". I thought "oh that's interesting" (in these days kids wanted annoy their parents). This is how I fell into the cauldron of rock music.
(•)> What's your favorite album from the myth, the man, the legend: Jimi Hendrix?
My favorite album? Mmmm, difficult question to answer! There are two types of albums: those well worked in the studio (and probably "Electric Ladyland" is the most coherent while the hits are in "Are you Experienced ?"), and those, more raw, recorded live (I love "The Isle of Wight" because the sound is incredible).
(•)> What other acts from the rock sphere do you cherish with all your heart?
For me, the “spring” of rock broke in the mid-70s. Something curious happened at this time. Rock started to dilute, to the point of getting lost... besides between the mid-60s and mid-70s it would be very difficult to have a favorite band as the quality offering was so plentiful and inventive (from the Beatles to Pink Floyd via the Rolling Stones, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Free, Santana, Crosby-Stills-Nash-and Young, etc…).
(•)> What's the point of Skycall?
SkyCall’s music attempts to resurrect that mid-60s and 70s vibe and bring it back to life using contemporary means (who knew you could record such high-quality sounds on an iPhone for example?). In fact, SkyCall’s music is more than just a nostalgic nod to classic rock: it’s a sophisticated construction that bridges the gap between past and present, offering a fresh take on the genre. The tracks weave together philosophical introspection and psychedelic sonic textures, creating pieces that resonate on multiple emotional and intellectual levels. As The Other Sides Reviews wrote, “It's a twirl of kaleidoscopic sound sending you spinning with reckless abandon; however, you are held in a warm embrace enjoying every second of the whirlpool .”
The LP in preparation should contain 9 tracks. It should be released during the 1st quarter of 2025. So far 4 singles have been released on streaming platforms. “Wendy” was released on May 10, 2024; “Amy”, was released on June 21, 2024; “Are You Ready Now?” was released on August 18, 2024 (55 years after Jimi Hendrix's performance at Woodstock)—the final solo is recommended for 6-string aficionados; “Stop Living With Your Eyes Closed” (an energetic rock) has just been released on October 31, 2024.
(•)> What are your thoughts on rock n' roll during the late 70s?
The atmosphere of rock in the second half of this decade became dark, even desperate, regarding the “no future”. It’s the reflection of a western society that was entering into crisis and which is still continuing, waiting for what? (an implosion? a revolution?). The big difference between these periods is that utopia was the driving force of rock in the mid-60s and mid-70s and then it was disillusionment and disenchantment... In my opinion, current rock is more of a formatted attitude than an authentic approach. Of course there are still sincere rockers who make very good music, but the societal impact of current rock bands is negligible — this was not the case with the Beatles or the Stones ! Rock needs to be given a new lease of life (and paradoxically this can come from older, more experienced musicians) so that it becomes sincere again, without any concern for commercialism.
(•)> Do you record everything with just an iPhone?
Of course no, but I recorded the guitar parts of “Spanish Fly” (a song already mastered which will be included in the future SkyCall’s LP) with an iPhone. The guitar solo was recorded in one go (in a vaulted cellar of a house in the South of France), without overdubs or anything else... it was interesting to find this live feeling where you have to let yourself go in pure emotion, and the sound of the guitar is, to my ears, excellent!
(•)> How is your perfect day?
I try to get up every morning ;) Breakfast is a moment of grace: it's the time when everything is possible. The rest of the day is divided between music (if you don't play regularly you lose dexterity on the guitar), activity on social networks (for me it's new and it takes a lot of my time...), medical research (since as a neuropsychiatrist I still have a partial activity of research in chronobiology), and devoting myself to those I love. Basically nothing extraordinary... except that music is extraordinary in itself!
(•)> What film means the most to you?
I love French comedy films from the 60s and 70s ("Les Tontons Flingueurs" is my cult film for its dialogues and its actors... they don't make them like that anymore!); and then fantasy films ("Interstellar" is a masterpiece remarkably served by Hans Zimmer's music).
(•)> Do you agree with the Pigeon?
And why would I disagree with him, especially since I share his philosophy of less is more ?
(•)> What should the Pigeon listen to tomorrow?
The last SkyCall’s tune, “Stop Living With Closed Eyes”. This song draws its roots from energetic old-school rock while feeding on current realities. The initial idea was this thought of Gandhi: if the power of love could replace the love of power, humanity would have accomplished its revolution. However, it must be recognized that we are still far from this ideal, and that our world is governed by money, the supreme value that has replaced all values. This song reflects this reality, but encourages the listener to use their free will, to reject all forms of control and to resist in order to live their life in peace.
Thanx for the interview.
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