Stephan Eicher, the Swiss singer-songwriter, has lived many lives since his emergence in the music scene in 1980. Now, his story is chronicled in a new biography by Sébastien Bataille, titled Stephan Eicher.

Despite a career spanning decades, this is the first time Eicher’s life has been comprehensively documented. Bataille’s book, nearly 300 pages in length, aims to fill this gap, offering insights into the artist behind hits like Lunch in peace.

Bataille, a former journalist for Rolling Stone and author of several musical biographies, explores the world of this unique artist, describing him as a ” Free electron, without borders, linguistic or musical.”

“Eichermania” and Beyond

“He was not pleasant with the idea of ​​telling himself”

Stephan Eicher experienced significant fame in the early 1990s with the release of albums like Engelberg (1991) and Carcassonne (1993), leading to what was dubbed “Eichermania.” While he has as moved away from the mainstream spotlight, he continues to create music and tour with his band.

Despite Bataille’s efforts, Eicher himself remained elusive and ” He was not comfortable with the idea of ​​telling himself.” As a result, the author relied on extensive research, including articles, interviews, and conversations with members of Eicher’s inner circle, such as manager Alain Lahana and drummer Manu Katché.

A Nomad by Nature

The biography paints a portrait of an artist deeply committed to his craft, navigating the challenges of fame while prioritizing his music. Born in 1960 in Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland, Eicher’s upbringing in a multilingual family with diverse cultural influences shaped his nomadic spirit. His early influences included Patti Smith and a formative relationship with his drawing teacher.

The Impact of Engelberg

Eicher’s passion for music,rhythm machines,and computers is a recurring theme in the book. Bataille traces Eicher’s musical journey from his early days in the Swiss underground scene with the Noise Boys and his brother Martin’s band, Grauzone, to his pop-rock debut with the album Blue songs in 1983. The biography examines each album,including the breakthrough success of Engelberg in 1991,with Bataille offering his critical viewpoint.

Friendship with Philippe Djian

Stephan Eicher’s career has been marked by significant collaborations and friendships. these include his mentor Martin Hess, producer Philippe Constantin, and Antoine de Caunes, who facilitated his meeting with writer Philippe Djian in 1989. Djian, known for the novel 37 ° 2 in the morning, went on to write lyrics for many of Eicher’s songs, including Lunch in peace, No friend like you, and Without remorse or regret.

Eicher and Djian have collaborated on numerous songs, with Djian writng the lyrics and Eicher composing the music. Eicher even offered a song to Johnny Hallyday in 2002, titled Don’t come back.

“I believe that the devil exists: it is indeed entertainment“

In recent years, Stephan Eicher has focused on his craft, performing concerts and engaging with his audience.He has also been critical of the music industry, particularly regarding streaming platforms and their compensation for artists. He has stated: ” I believe that the devil exists: it is entertainment. In 2007, when Steve Jobs went on stage with his iPhone in hand to make our life easier – “she will be more pleasant, easier” -, the real devil was that.”

Ultimately, Stephan eicher remains dedicated to his art, connecting with audiences thru his live performances.