Jimmy Nevis does it for the masses
It’s been almost two years since local pop sensation Jimmy Nevis first burst into the scene with his catchy singles Elephant Shoes and Heartboxing, which took over the radio airwaves and a catapulted him into national stardom.
This week sees the official release of Nevis’ sophomore album, entitled The Masses, through David Gresham Records and Rude World Records. The album comes after the release of his latest single, Day Dream (Last Night).
Although the singer/songwriter has performed all over the country sharing the stage with some of South Africa’s biggest acts, he’s been quietly plotting his next move, just in time for the festive season.
“With the album coming and music videos in the works and stuff on the rise again its definitely that time again so I’m very excited,” says
Nevis, who has been juggling his sociology studies and music career for the past two years. “I was supposed to graduate last year but I’m finishing off one course this year so hopefully I’ll be graduating this year,” he adds.
He says he’s realised that there’s no balance but he does believe in prioritising properly, which is what he has done while working on this particular album: “You put in your long hours, drink your red bull and do what you have to do, that’s kind of how I survive I guess,” says Nevis.
Although the majority of the tracks on the album were written during August and September this year, Nevis’s different approach in songwriting has been moulded over the last two years. “I always had a perception of the industry and what it was going to be like but I was quickly put in a place to see the real industry and what happens behind the music and two years later I’m so glad that I got the experience what goes into putting music out there into the world.”
For this album, he has been able to express his opinions and thoughts in a mature and creative manner for the first time, a process which now comes naturally.
“After the success of the first album, I got to see the industry for what it is and I felt like I saw my country for the first time because we got to tour and travel around the country. You get to see how people respond to your music and what people like and there’s a lot more knowledge and understanding.”
“But at the end of the day what I wanted to do with this album was stay true to myself. I think what made the first album work was that I was a 19-20-year-old who wrote about what he was understanding back then so now the playing field is a little different you know, I’m not just talking about love and hate anymore but I’m talking about what I’ve learnt from my degree, abuse against women, struggles in my career and a ghetto mindset. There’s a lot of growth in this album and this is why I’m so excited for the people to hear that,” says Nevis.
The Masses was produced by Ashley Valentine (Locnville, Kwesta and Chad Da Don) and recorded at Nevis’s own studio earlier this year. He has described working with Valentine as a relationship with an energy that transcended ability and talent, which was almost spiritual and wonderfully alienated.
The singer became really inspired by people and their stories through studying Sociology nso he has geared this album towards a mass audience with the aim to inspire others with his message and talk about issues that went beyond the teen love. He says he wanted the album to challenge him on every sphere – from writing to production.
“There are ten songs in this album that all very strong and all have an opinion and its amazing because you have so much to say and can express it better. Two years ago I couldn’t express all my opinions better and within three minutes,” he says.
This is why he has chosen top focus on how the music feels as opposed to its sound, together with a dreamy, tribal and urban edge to its production, The Masses still portrays signature Jimmy Nevis with some gospel undertones, quirky lyrics, soulful vocals and catchy melodies.
“Fans can look forward to something new, something old and something borrowed. I think people can expect to be moved emotionally and physically. These songs sum up who I am as a human being right now and I couldn’t be more proud of that.”
The star has released his album through iTunes.
Be sure to catch Jimmy Nevis on his nationwide MUSICA FOR THE MASSES tour at a Musica near you:
November 22, 2014 – Tygervalley & Canal Walk, Cape Town
November 23, 2014 – Kenilworth & Blue Route, Cape Town
November 30, 2014 – The Pavillion & Gateway, Durban
December 6, 2014 – Sandton & Eastgate, Johannesburg
December 7, 2014 – The Waterfront & Cavendish, Cape Town
December 13, 2014 – Green Acres & The Bridge, Port Elizabeth
For more information, visit http://jimmynevisofficial.com
