After taking radio by storm with his 2012 debut album, Subliminal, chart-topper Jimmy Nevis is back with The Masses. STEYN DU TOIT chats to the SAMA-nominee about the perils of “the difficult second album,” giving up artistic control in teh studio, as well as his mission to get South Africans back into pop music.
You recently got to perform the national anthem at the ABSA Currie Cup final. What did that moment feel like?
Incredible! I tried to not get too caught up in the moment and to focus on not spoiling our anthem in front of everyone. As soon as I started singing all my worries disappeared. Seeing a crowd of thousands singing along with you to a song with such emotion and history is an overwhelming feeling in the best of ways.
Congratulations on the release of The Masses. There’s that thing musicians refer to as “the difficult second album.”?
It was extremely difficult because it came with a certain expectation from fans and music lovers, thanks to the sound I’ve created with Subliminal. At the same time my personal growth needed to be reflected as well. I had to move forward. So it was tricky putting all these considerations into three minute songs while staying true to myself. I believe the best way to do this is to create music from the gut and to be honest. I wrote about the stuff that affected my life. I also got to learn more about the business of music and marketing oneself.
Describe The Masses?
It has an evolved, soulful pop sound with lots of cultural depth. While I shied away from copying other artists, I was influenced by the likes of Michael Jackson and Coldplay. In terms of themes, I was inspired by the stories people have to tell. I tried to go beyond the spectrum of love and hate. Some of the topics include my career, our country and the abuse of women.
Other musicians on the album?
Subliminal was completely written, produced and performed by myself. Being able to work with more people has been both a learning process and a blessing. I've known Ashley Valentine (producer) for a long time, and he was one of the first people I approached. I had the lyrics for the song Blue Collar and needed someone to provide some beats. We clicked immediately and finished the song in an hour. There was a creative, almost spiritual bond and I often felt as if he was inside my brain. I also enjoyed working with Jody Abel and Callen Petersen from Acoustic Element, as well as my Rude World Records label mate, Matthew O'Connell, on saxophone.
The first two songs released so far, Misscato and Day Dream, have been well received on radio. What are they about?
Misscato refers to the cheap, sweet wine my friends and I used to drink. We’d joke around and ask each other, “Where’s the Misscato?” I like the idea of how, just like wine, love grows better with ages. The song is self-produced and shows some of the new technical skills I’ve acquired since Subliminal. It also showcases the artistic and emotional growth I’ve aimed for. Day Dream is just a fun, happy song. I daydreamed the song while sitting on my bed and thinking what the perfect date scenario would be with someone I love. It's ultimately a track about happy feelings. In studio, while jamming with Ashley, that bass line suddenly kicked in and we knew: this is a relaxed summer song perfect for radio.
You’ve said you want to get South Africa “back into pop.” What is it and why do you think we aren't that big into it at the moment?
People misunderstand pop because we are so diverse and have so many markets and genres to cater for. But one forgets that pop essentially means “popular music.” Easy listening that is there for the masses to enjoy. Pop music draws on different elements from other genres and makes it accessible for bigger audiences. It is commercial music that is good and relevant. We can all understand it and that's what moves us when we listen to it.
Where would your ultimate dream gig or concert be?
I would love to close down the streets of India, specifically in one of the slum areas. Then I'd pull of a big concert celebrating the mishmash of culture and people. It would be an amazing juxtaposition of the best equipment and biggest names in the industry, performed in a setting that would otherwise never see such an event.
When will you gig next?
While we are promoting The Masses in Joburg for the next few weeks, there will be frequent stops in Cape Town – the CBD, Kirstenbosch and Paarl. I'll also be doing a countrywide tour towards the end of the year. It’s best that fans keep an eye on my social media pages for announcements .
l iTunes, www.jimmynevis|official.com, www.facebook.com/|JimmyNevis and www.soundcloud.|com/jimmynevis, @JimmyNevis.