In this captivating interview, we dive into the world of songwriter, lyricist and producer, Jimmy de la Mar, as he unveils his latest single, “You Know.” With a musical lineage ingrained in his DNA, Jimmy’s mother, a talented pianist and accordion player, has played a pivotal role in shaping his unique musical style.
From an early age, Jimmy found solace and inspiration in the enchanting realm of music, which fueled his unwavering passion for the craft. Despite his professional career as an insurance and finance broker, it is in the creation of music where Jimmy’s heart truly lies.
Drawing influences from a plethora of artists, Jimmy’s musical compass is guided by the profound impact of legends such as Michael Jackson and Nile Rodgers of Chic. Michael Jackson’s mastery of music and unwavering pursuit of perfection have left an indelible mark on Jimmy’s artistic sensibilities. Similarly, Nile Rodgers, hailed as one of the world’s finest funk guitarists and a remarkable composer, continues to inspire and push Jimmy’s creative boundaries.
Join us as we embark on a journey through Jimmy de la Mar’s musical landscape, as he shares the stories, influences, and aspirations that have molded him into the artist he is today. Prepare to be captivated by his melodies, moved by his lyrics, and inspired by his unwavering dedication to his craft.
Listen to You Know below
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What is your stage name?
My stage name is Jimmy de la Mar
Is there a story behind your stage name?
I used to play soccer and a famous professional had the same last name. His first name was Jimmy and that’s why everyone called me Jimmy. So, when I was looking for a stage name, Jimmy was the first thing that came up. Since the name should sound interesting and international, I decided on Jimmy de la Mar which means Jimmy the sea in Spanish and I love the sea.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find a lot of inspiration in sounds. The sound always inspires me to play different melodies depending on the sound and if I like one particularly well, then I record it. That’s where a lot of my songs come from.
What was the role of music in the early years of your life?
When I play music, I am happy. I have always been fascinated by people who can play instruments, and I always wanted to be like the artists on TV.
Are you from a musical or artistic family?
My mother plays piano and accordion.
Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?
Because I was playing in a band that was about to sign a record deal and we were already making TV appearances, it was logical that someone had to take care of the negotiations. In the end it was me and a band mate. Together with him I founded JGM Production and ran a recording studio.
How did you learn to sing/write/to play?
I have been singing all my life. Even as a small child. I also won singing competitions back then. My father and sister listened to records all the time, so I always sang along. When I was 12, I was given an old guitar in a pizzeria. It only had one string. I always tried to play Smoke on the Water on it. My mother then felt sympathy and bought me a real guitar. After that I had 2 years of guitar lessons and that was the foundation for my music career. I also taught myself the keyboard because my mother had one at home.
What was the first concert that you ever went to and who did you see perform?
Frankie goes to Hollywood
How could you describe your music?
Atmospheric, melodic and danceable. Since I love to dance myself, I naturally want to release songs that invite you to dance. The same goes for the chorus, it should invite people to sing along. My songs should make people happy for a short time. They should have fun and forget the everyday life for a while.
Describe your creative process.
It’s always different. Sometimes I have a rhythm that I like, then I play a melody to it and then the song develops from that. Or I have a great sound on which I come up with a melody, then the rhythm and then the vocal melody. It usually takes four to six weeks to write a song.
What is your main inspiration?
Melodies. I love melodies. My sound engineer always says I have too many of them in the song, but I always want the listener to hear something new.
What musician do you admire most and why?
That’s hard because I have two. Michael Jackson and Nile Rodgers (Chic). Michael Jackson for his sense of music and perfection. Nile Rodgers is for me one of the best funk guitarists in the world, also an incredible composer.
Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career?
Yes, of course. My first compositions nobody wanted to play, people ran screaming from the room. It was a long process for me and I’m still learning. If you listen to all the songs from the beginning until today, you will realize that.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
There are no competitors. My music can perhaps be compared with David Guetta and Robin Schulz. I like to listen to both of them and I want my music to be the same.
What are your interests outside of music?
I like to do sports. In the past soccer and tennis. Today fitness training. I do that three or four times a week to stay fit.
If it wasn’t a music career, what would you be doing?
I don’t have a real career. I couldn’t make a living from music. I get an average of 0.003 cents per stream. I would need 500 million streams to make a good living. I have another company. I am an insurance and finance broker by profession.
What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?
Definitely the record companies and their A&R. They are arrogant, think they always know what the next hit is and always want to appeal to the young audience. I’m so glad that today there are online distributors and you don’t have to rely on them anymore. However, it’s still a David versus Goliath battle. Just because of their promotion possibilities with streaming services, TV, Dj’s and radio stations, you have no chance as an unknown artist who has to promote himself. I’ve heard great songs that with a professional promotion, would land in the charts one hundred percent but without they have 1000 streams on Spotify and none finds them.
If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be?
Clearly, that artists get more money from streaming companies like Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music etc. I’ve said before how many streams you need to get to make a living. You rarely recoup the costs of production and promotion as an unknown artist and that’s really unfair. I really don’t begrudge the people out there the opportunity to have millions of songs available. But we, we produce these songs and 90% of all artists can’t make a living out of it. That’s the bad thing. We don’t get compensated enough for our work.
Why did you choose this as the title of this project?
I was listening to my playlist Old School and came across the song by Simple Red Come to my Aid. I thought a similar song with today’s rhythms and keyboards would be a great idea. So, I sat down at my keyboard and played until I found a melody that was similar in style. That’s where You Know came from. The song is neither covered nor copied. Also, the harmonies don’t match and still I’m happy with the result. Another reason was that more and more young people are interested in old songs. So, I thought, with this song you can win old and young.
Do you have any artistic collaboration plans?
As of today, I will release at least 3 more songs, including two EDM songs. I also want to remix older songs of mine and make EDM songs out of them and then release a third album with only EDM songs on it.
What message would you like to give to your fans?
Message me, whether on Facebook, Instagram or Tiktok. Ask me questions or write me what you like or don’t like. I love writing with fans. You get to know so many nice people all over the world and they also help you to question yourself musically.
