Interviews: Jimmy Martin

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Rock artist Jimmy Martin from Luxembourg. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Congratulations on celebrating more than 40 years in the music industry. Looking back, what are you most proud of in your career?

Well, to still be able to make music and a record after more than 40 years is pretty good, I guess! Also, working with some of my heroes makes me really proud!

2. Your new album Past To Present combines classic songs with newly recorded 2026 versions. What inspired you to revisit these tracks?

“A Woman Like You” I had recorded in 1984 for EMI Records, but never released! I always loved the song and decided to re-record it with nowadays sounds! Then there are always songs that you think you can do a bit differently, and that's what I went for!

3. How did you decide which songs would be included on Past To Present?

That was a very difficult decision because your songs are like your kids, you love them all, so it was really hard ... but with good advice from my friends and label, we managed to do so!

4. Over the years, you've collaborated with artists such as Rick Springfield, Robin Beck, Clif Magness, Martin Turner, and Laurie Wisefield. Which collaboration had the biggest impact on your musical journey, and why?

I guess being in the studio in Los Angeles and recording with my 80s mentor had the biggest impact on me, definitely! I always admired Rick's writing both musically and lyrically, and being able to work with him made a dream come true!

5. How has your songwriting and recording process evolved since you first started your career?

Well, you improve over the years, that's for sure; you find out what harmonies and hooks work better, your lyrics do get a deeper meaning than when you started off as an 18-year-old gringo!

6. What differences can fans expect between the original recordings and the new 2026 versions featured on the album?

The sounds are different, the production has changed a little bit, there are different musicians than on the original recordings, so of course it sounds different, but still they are the same songs!

7. The music industry has changed dramatically over the past four decades. What do you think has been the biggest change for artists?

There is far less money involved unless you're one of the real big players! Music nowadays is almost available for free! In the 80s, all we had were records and books ,you wanted the album, you had to buy it; there were no such free downloads and streaming like nowadays! These days, anyone can record some crap and put it on YouTube!

8. What message or feeling do you hope listeners will take away from Past To Present?

There is still rock music with great melodies and hooks out there, rock music will never die, although radios don't play it anymore like in the 80s! I honestly think that people buying this record are being overwhelmed with memories of the 80's when life was easier, not in such a fast lane as nowadays!

9. Are there any memorable stories from the 1980s that still influence the way you make music today?

I will always remember the crowd of good-looking women showing up at our first show at the Roxy in Los Angeles in 1990! In Europe at that time, rock concerts were more for guys, far fewer women

10. After the release of Past To Present, what can fans look forward to next? Are there any new projects or live performances planned?

I honestly haven't thought about that yet! I'll enjoy life traveling and hiking, and at some point, I will get the itch to write some new material and to go back to the recording studio!

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