By: Staff
Luxembourg folk-rock musician, songwriter, and singer Jeremy Engel has released his captivating new single, "On Your Wire." The song pays homage to Philippe Petit's legendary high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. True to this song's powerful image and profound message, the track opens with a soft, evocative whistling that immediately transports the listener into the mindset of the daring protagonist.
As the emphatic strumming of guitars and the soaring melodies of violins enter the soundscape, we are immersed in a compelling vocal performance that conveys a sense of both exasperation and excitement. The sung verse of "Can I stay here on your wire" invites the listener to join Petit on his extraordinary journey, highlighting the courage and determination that serve as the foundation for progress and life itself. The crisp guitars, driving drums, and beautifully mixed violins create a rich, dynamic musical tapestry that perfectly complements the emotional depth of the lyrics. The synths, which evoke the sensation of reversing strings, are particularly impressive, adding an ethereal quality to the track. Another standout moment is the captivating violin solo that leaves the listener spellbound. Vocally, Jeremy Engel's performance is remarkable, as he pours his soul into every word, captivating the listener with his raw, emotive delivery. The lyrics themselves are a true work of art, painting a vivid picture that resonates deeply within the mind and heart of the audience. Through "On Your Wire," Jeremy Engel has masterfully brought the musical canvas to life, capturing the essence of Petit's legendary high-wire walk and its profound message. We invite you to stream, playlist, and share this incredible single with the world and experience the power of Jeremy Engel’s music to inspire, uplift, and connect us all.
Wait, there's more!
We caught up with this exciting and emerging artist, for “The Cage” Music Blog, to talk about music and learn more about them.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
When did you start making music?
I've always had my own records in my head with all these songs that existed only for me, and I knew that one day I would have to let them out. I really started playing at the age of 14 by learning the guitar. Even though music was always present, I had other dreams to pursue. It was a bit before COVID that I started taking things more seriously and began recording, but the timing wasn't perfect. I released three singles that were well-received, but everything stopped afterward due to COVID. Now, I'm releasing my first album, recorded in Dublin (including "On Your Wire"), and I'm excited to explore this path and see if the audience will come along.
Can you tell the fans something they might not know about you and why you create music?
Certainly, music is not my main occupation (though that might change); I work as a conference interpreter for the United Nations. That was my other dream, and it's the one I was fortunate enough to achieve. Music and interpreting are very similar; we work without a safety net and step onto the stage with a lot of humility, hoping to meet expectations and serve the speaker or the song.
Where do you create your music, i.e. in a home recording studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your finished work, ie self-mixed/mastered or another source?
I write and compose the songs on my own, then I go to Dublin to work on the arrangements with my producer, Larry Hogan, and record in the studio with the musicians. We take the time to experiment and see which direction to take the music.
What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea to the final recording?
I am quite minimalist from a musical standpoint. I love it when a simple voice and guitar version is enough to convey the emotion. The delicate part is finding the right balance in terms of arrangements and not overdoing it, as it’s easy to hide behind what technology can do. I like electronic sounds, for example, but I want to use them subtly and always in service of the song.
The real challenge is accepting to say goodbye to everything the song could have been, all the arrangement ideas that were abandoned. The listener only knows the final version, but in my mind, I keep the history of all the possibilities it could have been. A song is always perfect when it exists only in our heads; by giving it a physical form, we accept that we will damage it and move away from that initial ideal.
What part of the music-making process is the most stressful, ie the creation, the actual release date, etc?
I don't particularly enjoy the promotional aspect because it sometimes leaves little time for the music itself, but now I try to see promotion as an opportunity to exercise a different type of creativity. I'm someone who is always afraid of being a nuisance, so having to relay a message in a traditional and insistent manner makes me very uncomfortable. That's why I like to communicate through humor and self-deprecation.
If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?
I don't know if I would change anything; there is always a commercial/marketing side that can be disturbing, but it has always existed, it's not new. It's quite easy to play the victim and blame the system if we don't succeed, and that might be true, but it mostly depends on where we set the bar for success and what fuels your desire to make music. You have to learn to navigate between the good and the bad aspects, but I’ve discovered incredible musicians thanks to the Spotify algorithm.
What instruments do you play? Which is your favorite?
In addition to singing, I play guitar and harmonica. Although I'm in love with the electric guitar, I've always had an almost physical connection with the acoustic guitar—the wood, the feel, the smell—it’s a kinesthetic and erotic experience!
Where do you currently reside and what is the live music venue scene like there?
I currently live in Geneva, but I’m always on the move for work and music. I find it hard to define myself as someone living in just one place. Let’s just say I have a somewhat different perspective on travel and movement compared to most people.
Have you ever been on tour and can you tell us a little about the experience?
I’ve never been on a proper tour with a series of dates, but I’ve been fortunate to perform in several countries (Ireland, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Italy), and that’s truly my favorite part. In fact, the goal for 2025 will be to go on tour. Everything else is just a pretext for this connection with the audience. Performing live is a bit like a first date; you go in with a lot of fear and desire, lay yourself bare, and then let things unfold.
Was there ever a time when you emotionally felt, “I can’t do this anymore”? Can you tell us why this happened and how you found the strength to continue?
It’s an integral part of making music. Doubt is always present; you question the point of it all and wonder if you’re just pathetic, and maybe you are, but at the same time, that’s who I am. I’m fortunate to have beautiful exchanges with those who follow me and listen to my music and who encourage me to keep going. Deep down, I know that all of this has meaning; or not, but even so. There’s actually a beautiful word for it: immanence. The absence of creation would be the denial of immanence.
What advice would you give your younger self?
It’s better to fail at a life that is truly yours than to succeed at a life that doesn’t suit you.
How do you feel about social media?
I’ve never been too fond of social media until now, but I’ve been fortunate to make some truly great connections through it. Social media is worth it if you use it to better connect with the real world.
If you could go on any late-night talk show, which would it be? And based on present life, what would be the topic of discussion?
I go to the pub; it’s just like going to a late-night talk show. 😉 Talking with strangers often leads to much deeper conversations, as if we’re freed from the fear of judgment. Or maybe it’s just the effect of the beer and whiskey.
When you reach the stage where you have the admiration and respect of other world-known artists, what band or artist would you love to call and say, “Let’s go on tour together”?
My dream would still be to open for Glen Hansard or Damien Rice, but I wouldn’t mind going on tour with Dave Matthews either. We definitely wouldn’t get bored.
What is the most inspirational thing a fan, or anyone, has told or shown you about your music?
I’ve truly been fortunate to have beautiful exchanges during concerts and to receive very touching messages. I once got a message from someone after a concert saying that he had spent one of the most wonderful evenings of his life. What makes it even more special is that it was the case for me as well.
It’s often with the passage of time that we realize certain moments were extraordinary, but when we become aware of this while we’re experiencing them, it’s the most beautiful thing life can offer, and that’s what life offers me when I play live.
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Jeremy Engel on Spotify & YouTube.
Comments