Jason Nevins, familiar to many for his re-mixes and dance music worked with Vicci Martinez on two songs on her new album, due out in May and they’re “straight up pop radio”. Jason took some time to answer a few questions from the Vicci Martinez Army about his work, particularly the new music on Vicci Martinez’ soon to be released album!
VMA: You’ve been working in dance music for a while now with lots of great remixes. We know that includes people who may not come to mind as club music like Taylor Swift, Michael Buble, and Lady Antebellum. What do you look for in a song to do a remix of it?
Jason: I like doing remixes on records that are either pop, rock or urban and taking them to a different place. I dont find as much satisfaction in doing a remix on a song that is already an uptempo dance record. Thats cool for the clubs but doesnt make much sense for the radio. Ive had great success on working on records that you might not think off the top of your head that would be a record to remix… Sometimes I will even go to the label and suggest doing a mix on a particular song because I know it would work great in a remixed version. My ears are 100% radio- and Im drawn to a hit record. I can hear a hit song and mentally map out how it could sound great as a remix as well.
VMA:When you first heard Vicci’s existing music catalog, which I don’t think anyone would categorize as dance music, what did you hear that made you think you could work with her in your genre? Did you have any reservations going in?
Jason: To be completely honest, I didnt hear that much of Vicci’s stuff before I started working with her. I obviously saw her on the show but not much else. I knew she had a great voice from watching her on tv and hearing demos. I usually dont have any reservations on working with anyone who has ‘real talent’. You never know what you are going to come up with when working with new people. I dont even know if Vicci checked out stuff that Ive done over the years. The music we worked on was not at all dance music, even though thats what I’m known for- its straight up pop radio.
VMA: In a recent tweet you called Vicci Martinez “amazing”. What is it about her that makes you say that?
Jason: Her vocals are just amazing, she has such a richness to her voice. She nails stuff without any Autotune- which many singers today cant do. Not only that, she very cool and easy to work with. It was a pleasure and all came together so naturally.
VMA: We understand that you worked with her on a new version of “Hold Me Darlin”. That started out as more of a blues number. How did that one get changed up? Can you say something about the process of working through that?
Jason: She already had ideas on the tune and when I played her some of my ideas- it just instantly gelled. It all came together pretty quickly. We jumped in feet first and started recording, tweaking and adding as we went on.
VMA: We think we’ve got it right that “Hold Me Darlin” is just one of the songs you worked with Vicci on that will be on the new album. Can you tell us anything about the other song?
Jason: “Hold Me Darlin” is on the album as well as another song that I worked on, which is called “I Can Love”. That song started from the world-famous writing/ producing team The Matrix. They started the song off with Vicci and I took it to a different place at the end. Not only would it be great to work with Vicci in the future- it would be great to work with The Matrix again, they are super talented.
VMA: If you had to compare Vicci Martinez to other artists you’ve worked with – either in terms of music or working style – who would you compare her to?
Jason: Vocally, you could say she’s has tones like Melissa Ethridge & Pink. Vicci has tons of power in her voice. They way she works is also awesome, shes a real pro and really easy to work and get along with.
VMA: What can you tell us about your next project?
Jason: I’m working on a project with two artists, Amanda Encore & Jerry Robinson, who are signed to my production company. They are both really talented. I’ve been working with SonyATV Publishing on re-working/ re-interpolating songs controlled by SonyATV and turning them into current pop dance radio records. SonyATV initially brought me into to do a “concept project”- covers of some of their catalog songs, but that mutated into ‘samples’ / being re-worked into new original songs fronted by Amanda and having Jerry on them as well. Its been a project thats been cooking for quite some time and is now finally coming together.
VMA: Is there anyone in particular that’s on your dream-list of artists to work with?
Jason: I dont really have a wish list right now. I just want to work with really talented people, like Vicci, whether they are writers, musicians or artists. Because of the age we live in with the internet & computer technology- everyone “thinks” they are a producer or singer. Unfortunately, there seem to be more people I’ve come across that are mediocre- and Im looking for ‘amazing’. It brings out the best in me when working with true talent.
VMA: Can you recommend a few of the songs you’ve worked on with other artists that you think a fan of Vicci Martinez might enjoy?
Jason: What Ive done with Vicci isnt exactly along the lines of what most people know me for. I’ve been at this for a minute- so I’ve got a lot of material to listen to. But if I really had to give someone direction, who would also be interested in Vicci…then I’d say my mixes of Kelly Clarkson “Since U Been Gone” and “Because Of You” or my production on Duran Duran “(Reach Up For The) Sunrise“.
VMA:Thanks for your time Jason! I know that Vicci’s fans are really looking forward to hearing “I Can Love” and “Hold Me Darlin” on the new album due out in May! As well as your remix version of Vicci’s new single “Come Along” , written by Peter Svensson and Joakim Berg. Vicci will be performing the original version on the Jay Leno show Friday February 10th!
Discover more of Jason Nevins music on iTunes!
Discover more of Vicci Martinez music on iTunes!
