With his latest single ‘The Doomsday Clock (85 Seconds to Midnight)’, Hertford-based singer-songwriter Stephen Wicks delivers his fifth release, drawing directly from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Doomsday Clock. The 74-year-old singer-songwriter excels in songwriting and music, which draw from his life experiences and observations of the world around him. His music carries a sense of purpose and urgency while leaving an impact on the minds of listeners.
“Turn the volume up before ‘The Doomsday Clock’ runs out of 85 seconds.”
You can feel that urgency as soon as you play ‘The Doomsday Clock (85 Seconds to Midnight)’, and trust me, it’s a song that will open a lot of minds. The song tackles climate change, nuclear proliferation, artificial intelligence, and geopolitical instability with a message that time is slipping away. The 85-second countdown hangs over the track like a warning that refuses to fade into the background. The driving rock instrumentation, George Shilling’s cinematic production, and Wicks’ theatrical vocals sync in so well that you will feel that need to stop the ticking time. But if you want to really feel that rush, just switch on the music video. Trust me, this will take your experience to another sonic intensity. Don’t wait for the clock to hit zero; press that play button now!
We also got a chance to interview this amazing artist; here’s what he has to say about his life as a musician:
1. You’ve built a career in business before dedicating yourself more fully to music. What was it about songwriting and music that kept calling you back, and how has your life experience shaped the artist you are today?
Music was never a phase for me, more a delayed promise. I was writing songs from an early age, but life required a different version of me first.
Corporate success may have filled my bank account, but not my soul. No matter how big the deals got, my creative flame never completely burned out.
Music kept calling me back because it is the ultimate creative outlet.
When I finally reached an age where most people choose a quiet retirement, I realised I had an urgent need for my music to be heard.
Whilst my decades in business delayed my artistry, they have actually given it depth. I don’t look at the world through the romanticised eyes of a 20-year-old.
2. ‘The Doomsday Clock (85 Seconds to Midnight)’ tackles some of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. What made you want to turn this particular moment in the Doomsday Clock into a song?
‘The Doomsday Clock’ was born out of modern geopolitical anxiety, AI, and climate risks. A younger version of me couldn’t have written the track with the same urgency or weight. Expressing my concerns about where the world is through my music makes the message more powerful.
3. There’s a strong sense of tension and urgency running through the track, from the driving rock instrumentation to your theatrical vocal delivery. How did you approach translating such serious subject matter into something that feels powerful musically?
The ticking clock as we move towards the apocalypse was the backdrop. It could hardly have been a ballad! The song almost wrote itself, to be honest. I hope the drama of the situation was emphasised by the driving rock tempo.
The video, showing a runaway train, sums up the world as I see it.
4. The song touches on climate change, nuclear proliferation, artificial intelligence, and geopolitical instability. When listeners finish the song, what is the one thought or feeling you hope stays with them?
I hope listeners give some thought to the predicament the world is in and try to remain positive!
5. You collaborated with producer George Shilling and guitarist Stefan Hauk to bring the track to life. What did each of them bring to the creative process, and how did their contributions influence the final sound?
Stefan Hauk’s guitar work really drives the song along. He is one of the best young guitarists in Australia, and I am fortunate to have him on my team.
George Shilling really helps me bring out the best in my songs. He has a fantastic track record and has worked with many top artists, and it shows.
6. After such a powerful and socially conscious release, where do you see your music heading next? Are there new releases, live performances, or collaborations on the horizon that you’re particularly excited about?
My next release is all about climate change, another topic of global concern. I’m really excited about that.
I am also working on my first album, which I hope to release early next year. There will be some epic tracks on it!
Catch the muse here:
Want to discover more such similar tracks? Check out our Pop Muse playlist on Spotify:
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