In a brand new interview with Eddie Witz, we discuss his newest single, ‘Jamaica Time’.
Welcome Eddie – how are you?
Give thanks, I’m doing properly and excited to be talking with you! It’s all the time a pleasure to share my journey and music with others.
To kick issues off, are you able to inform us in regards to the inspiration behind ‘Jamaica Time’, and the artistic course of behind it?
“Jamaica Time” has its origins over 30 years in the past when my Jamaican songwriting/producing accomplice, Grammy Award-winning Native Wayne Jobson, wrote it for Jimmy Buffett to file. Jimmy by no means recorded “Jamaica Time,” so after his passing, Native Wayne prompt we file it collectively as a dedication to Jimmy Buffett. The track captures the essence of the laid-back, carefree vibe of Jamaica, and our artistic course of was all about bringing that feeling to life by music. We needed to create one thing that felt genuine to the spirit of the Caribbean whereas additionally paying homage to our good friend and mentor, Jimmy Buffett. It was a collaborative effort that actually allowed us to infuse our personal experiences and influences into the track.
‘Jamaica Time’ is your first launch as a musical collective ‘Eddie Witz and The Most Excessive’ – how did every musician’s distinctive contribution elevate the one?
Properly, “Jamaica Time” is definitely my 2nd debut file, as my first file is known as “My Island.” Nonetheless, each songs have been recorded in Jamaica, and we shot the music movies for each songs in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and the Paris of Saint Ann in Jamaica, the place Bob Marley was born and grew up. As for ‘Jamaica Time,’ every member of Eddie Witz and The Most Excessive introduced their very own distinctive taste to the track. From the infectious and soulful rhythm & keyboard part recording in Kingston, Jamaica with Sly Dunbar and Robbie Lyn, Randy Cooke’s lead drum package efficiency contribution elevated by Adam Topol’s world class percussion monitoring, we labored tirelessly to deliver out the genuine sound of the Caribbean. We needed to seize the essence of Jamaica in each be aware, and I imagine every musician’s particular person expertise and fervour did simply that.
‘Jamaica Time’ promotes tourism in Jamaica, capturing the nation’s essence. How did your private visits to Jamaica encourage the track?
I first visited Jamaica as a 7-year-old little one and fell in love with the island and the irie vibes. Later, I spent my honeymoon in Jamaica with my spouse, Michelle, and every go to fills my soul with optimistic vitality and makes me really feel linked to the candy island, its individuals, and wealthy tradition. These experiences have been the driving drive behind ‘Jamaica Time.’ The track is a tribute to the sweetness and spirit of Jamaica that I’ve come to know and love over time. It’s impressed by the colourful colours, the rhythm of life, and the sense of freedom that permeates the island. I needed to seize that essence and share it with the world by music, hoping to encourage others to expertise the magic of Jamaica for themselves.
Are you able to give us an perception into the way you initially bought into music, and who your influences have been rising up?
I began piano and singing coaching at age 5, and all through my faculty years, I studied music and carried out within the theatre. I even majored in Theatre Arts in school. Music has all the time been a central a part of my life, nevertheless it was the legends like Bob Marley who actually impressed me. From childhood till in the present day, Bob Marley has been a large affect on my music and my outlook on life. Moreover, artists like John Lennon, Paul Simon, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, and Elton John have closely influenced me. Their music, lyrics, and the way in which they linked with their viewers resonated deeply with me and proceed to form my very own musical journey.
‘Jamaica Time’ is the primary launch out of your anticipated debut album, ‘I Am What I Am’. How does ‘I Am What I Am’ symbolize your musical journey, and what messages would you like the album to place throughout?
The messages I need the album to convey are ones of self-discovery, acceptance, forgiveness, being grateful and a celebration of individuality. I need listeners to really feel empowered to embrace who they’re, to discover their very own journey, and to seek out power of their uniqueness. Whether or not it’s by the Jamaican rhythms of ‘Jamaica Time’ or the introspective lyrics of different tracks off my upcoming EP like In Too Deep and One That Acquired Away, I hope the album resonates with individuals on a deep degree and conjures up them to stay authentically.
How did you’re employed in direction of crafting a particular sound for ‘I Am What I Am’?
Crafting a particular sound for ‘I Am What I Am’ was a collaborative effort that concerned quite a lot of experimentation and exploration. We needed the album to replicate the range of influences which have formed me as an artist, whereas nonetheless sustaining a cohesive and distinctive sound. At first, I drew upon my Jamaican roots and the reggae rhythms which have all the time resonated with me. However we additionally integrated parts of rock, pop, and soul to create a fusion that feels recent and thrilling.Working intently with my co-producers, co-writers and band mates, we spent numerous hours within the studio experimenting with completely different sounds, devices, and preparations. We needed every monitor to have its personal identification whereas nonetheless feeling like half of a bigger musical journey. Finally, I discovered that stability by staying true to myself and permitting myself to be susceptible permitting my particular person persona to shine by within the music. The result’s a sound that I couldn’t be prouder of the way it turned out.
In the course of the writing strategy of ‘I Am What I Am’, did you come throughout any important challenges and discoveries which have helped form the undertaking?
The writing course of for ‘I Am What I Am’ was filled with challenges and discoveries that I labored along with my spouse Michelle and one other songwriter accomplice from Australia, Glenn Bidmead. As we delved into the themes of identification, self-discovery, and embracing individuality, I discovered myself confronting private truths and vulnerabilities. It was a journey of self-reflection and development, each musically and personally. In the long run, I emerged from the method with a clearer sense of who I’m as an artist and what I wish to say with my music. ‘I Am What I Am’ is a testomony to that journey, and I’m grateful for each problem and discovery alongside the way in which.
Following the discharge of ‘I Am What I Am’, what are your targets for 2024?
I wish to take the music from ‘I Am What I Am’ on the street and join with followers by stay performances. Touring permits me to share the vitality and fervour of my music in a means that’s actually particular. I’ll be specializing in rising my fanbase, partaking with listeners on social media, reaching new audiences and persevering with to ship high-quality music that resonates with individuals. I’m engaged on collaborations with different artists as properly. I plan to proceed writing, recording and releasing new music, songs within the works at present like Drink Deep, Similar Moon Tonight, Keys to the Kingdom and a canopy of a lesser well-known Bryan Adams track referred to as “Coming House,” will spherical out my first LP by the tip of the 12 months.
Take heed to Jamaica Time:
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