Musical inspiration can come from almost anyone or, in the case of Percy Way, almost anything. From birds to animals to no one in particular, he takes the rote reality being transmitted to him and reconceives it as something new and magical. With Percy, music is more than just a creative outlet, it is as vital as food and water is for the rest of us. It has even saved his life on a few occasions. He has decided to take the reins on his new solo project by writing, recording and mixing the production, bringing all of the songs into 'a more intimate focus' - as well as directing the music video of his brand new single ‘In my Dreams.’ Independent Reporter Lauren Thompson recently interviewed this talented singer-songwriter-producer to learn more about the inspiration behind his latest single, his desire to create new art, and his hopes and expectations for the coming years.
LAUREN: Let's just get this out in the open - What is the craziest thing that has happened to you in your music career?
PERCY: I consider everything that happens to me music wise as being crazy, every day of my life. There’s a little white fairy with little wings on her back who lives in my head (I was once told that I would have been a good case study for Freud), whom I don’t control and who comes visiting quite often. Sometimes the fairy shows up at 3 in the morning in my dreams, and she comes whispering to my ears melodies, sometimes singing in strange words I don’t always understand, so I have to wake up, grab the guitar or the pen so that I don’t forget to use them in a song. The only way I found I could make her happy. So I guess I could say that the craziest thing that happens to me in my music career happens often and each time, it makes me wonder whether I’m crazy or not. I am a simple man in need of that state of craziness. I just can’t live without music.
LAUREN: Your song ‘In My Dreams’ is receiving a strong listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard it playing?
PERCY: Goosebumps! I am a shared story with love.
LAUREN: What was the inspiration behind your debut radio single?
PERCY: Funny enough, it’s not my first radio single, but indeed the first after many years of silence having such positive response. It’s one of those songs that just simply fall into place as if you’re kind of being guided by a fairy. One summer night, a good friend of mine stopped by the house for dinner. At a late hour of the night or rather an early hour of the morning, after a few glasses of wine, we started talking about dreams. At some point, we started talking about how girls we’ve known in the past, sometimes just pop up in our dreams, or in our thoughts. It can happen to everyone, and can be explained in a more scientific way. It can be a smell, an object, a picture, or something that just opens the unconscious gates of our secret garden. But it was the romantic aspect that appealed to me. That night I dreamt of a past love and lived that dream as if we were both there together, in the past, doing what we used to love to do together. With the one paradox that while dreaming, I knew I was dreaming. But then again, was it really a dream? I went to bed and while I was gently being aspired in the wonderful world of dreams, my little fairy came by and started singing to my ears. I had to wake up; it was around five in the morning. Duty calling. The song was written right there. The dream I had was also written down on a piece of paper. I was to be with the two lovers in the music video, with them but separate, much like a man observing a dream he cannot touch, perfectly accentuating the song’s theme. I had two songs in mind for a first single. The one chosen was to have a music video. ‘In my dreams’ was a better inspiration for a music video.
LAUREN: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
PERCY: Creating music is something vital to me, since my younger age. So it’s the other way around, music being vital, it has made my life a bit more difficult in some way. For all of us it is feeding oneself, and additionally for me besides feeding my body, it’s feeding my soul. But as I consider it like a transmission channel to reach my other fellow human beings hearts, it fuels my desire to create more and more music, with the help of the fairy. Quite a vicious circle but hey, makes the man happy, makes the fairy happy. Quite a paradox as well as music saved my life on quite a few occasions. Great art arises from hard work and discipline as well.
LAUREN: How would you characterize yourself as a musician? (Ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving...)
PERCY: I am creative and unconventional. So I guess a lot of fun. Music to me being a transmission channel, my approach towards it is also linked to delivering messages when the need arises. Not that I take myself for some kind of prophet. That would be pretentious. I crumble under so many sins. But I deeply believe into spreading and sharing some inner light we all have within ourselves. And music is the only way I know doing precisely this, effectively. Like a therapy.
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LAUREN: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
PERCY: I’m a creator, and a constant learner.
Musically, these days, I do everything myself in my home studio, from playing the instruments, singing, recording, to mixing the songs. A one man show. The people I work with deal with everything else, such as the music video for ‘In my dreams’. It’s a great sharing moment. I know what I want and I give directions with regards to what I want to achieve as an end ‘product’. Being a team player and very cooperative, it’s easier to make things run smoothly. Soit’s always a rich experience. When I commit myself it’s always with great enthusiasm and I make sure the energy is always at its highest level among each and everyone involved in the project. It’s a builder’s philosophy. Even working with those with whom I have some kind of, ’natural’, antagonisms. I’m only human. But, as a constant learner, my antagonist becomes my benefactor.
LAUREN: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
PERCY: Not at all. It’s a gift from I don’ know who, and I don’t know from where!
LAUREN: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
PERCY: The most rewarding is having a definite sense of freedom, at least in the head. The challenge is to sound like me, remaining efficient, and staying true to myself. But mainly, being able to laugh at myself. Musically I mean. Otherwise I’m very serious and take myself very seriously.
LAUREN: Who are your role models in music?
PERCY: So many men and women. So many birds and animals. But no one in particular. Music is an art so rich and diverse. I listen to all kinds of music, in all kind of languages I do not particularly know, but understand what is being ‘transmitted.’ I do have influences though, but that I’ll keep to myself.
LAUREN: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
PERCY: I was booked for a live performance in a music festival, on an island in the Indian Ocean some years ago. The band and I were programmed for 7 p.m. The festival was to start at 3 p.m. and would last up to midnight. Something went wrong and the whole thing started at 5:30. I got on stage around 9:30. The stage was opened on all sides except for the roof which was covered. So you could see 360 degrees horizontally. While walking on stage with my guitar, I saw the sun setting in my back, and facing the crowd, the moon was rising. Listening to my instinct, I instantly modified the song’s list order and started with a song more appropriate, with a deeper vibe. The first minutes, people were listening to us with eyes shut for most of them because of the sun light, and letting their mind connecting to my voice with their ears only. A magical moment. I performed that night as the king of the universe, ruling the planets. What a gift!
LAUREN: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
PERCY: My dad once told me ‘think about what you’d like to be remembered for before you end up in the maggots’ stomach.’ It’s all about what you deeply really want to achieve and be clear in your mind. You only get what you put in. It’s one of life’s fundamental laws. That mental attitude attracts things to you but, watch out for your fears. It’s the dark side of the force, or the moon if you will. Of course there’s also talent, hard work, courage, consistency, perseverance, strategy, all those guiding statements you’ll find on internet. The only thing I would add is, do whatever you want to do, and do it because you love it and because you think it’s worth sharing with the world, in all honesty. You’ll be remembered for this. May the force be with you.
LAUREN: What's next for you as an artist? Is there a new track in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
PERCY: I’m currently recording some new songs and the next single is almost ready. The song’s not mastered yet, sonically speaking. Some of those songs will be part of an EP to be out very soon. ‘In my dreams’ being part of that EP. I’ve promised myself, at this point in my life, to surprise myself the whole nine yards, by trusting my fairy all the way on these recordings with regards to the music itself, the sound, the arrangements, the music production, the lyrics, the story-telling, the images, and the music-videos. Feels like some kind of legacy. Or maybe just a fairytale?
LAUREN: Thank you for taking the time to learn about your musical history and life experiences! You are a very talented artist and we look forward to hearing more from you very soon!
http://www.percyway.com
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