Vicci Martinez
Vicci Martinez might have entered the debut series of The Voice on the back of a series of her own self-made albums, but last year saw the release of 'Vicci', her first album since coming third on the show.
With the video to her new single 'Come Along' having hit the web, we chatted to the singer about it, her time on The Voice and teaming up with Peter Svensson on The Cardigans.
This was your first album with a label, how did it compare with your previous releases?
Well, this is my major label debut and everything else I’ve done before I’ve done on my own, even the financial parts. This was different in that I had so many more opportunities and options at my fingertips in regards to production and studio time. I was able to concentrate on making this something I was really proud of.
I think in the past I’ve just written and recorded songs as quickly as I can just to get them out there and this was definitely different. Working with writers and producers of great calibre was a wonderful learning experience for sure.
You’ve been working with Peter Svensson, who’s the man who introduced you to ‘Come Along’. How did that combination come together?
Well there was a wonderful man Martin Todd who put us together immediately following The Voice and he did a great job. Not only do me and Peter get along really well, but we work well together too. After writing four or five songs straight after the show, Martin came in and asked Peter to play ‘Come Along’ to me and I instantly fell in love with the song.
I must have listened to it over ten times and then came up with the bright idea of either writing a song that sounds like this or me re-doing it. He thought it was a great idea, so we moved from there.
Have you heard back from Tityo who originally recorded the song?
I never have, no. I’m sure she’s still connected with all the same people, but I’ve not heard her response. I hope it’s okay (laughs).
This album covers a whole load of subjects, even including you experiences after The Voice. Did you think it was important to share that experience.
Yeah, I think one of the things I’ve done in my music is wear my heart on my sleeve and be honest about what I’m going through and my feelings. I think that’s important because it’s nice for the audience to know that they can relate to you and the way you emotionally handle situations. They get to see that we’re just normal people, especially if they’ve been through the same thing. It was defiantly important to put myself on the line and continue that with this album.
This album’s got a different sound to it than you’re previous work. Is this still very much you as an artist?
You’re right, this was definitely different for me, but the producers I worked with understood me as a musician and when we were writing songs, I made sure that they were things that I can go out there and play with my band. Also, putting my signature and making it comfortable for me was very important to them as well.
You also applied for American Idol. Did you think after that it wasn’t going to happen?
American Idol and that lot was just me not being in the right place at the right time. Going into The Voice, I was a lot more confident with who I was as a person and where I was in my life too. I didn’t know how far I was going to get, but that wasn’t my concern.
That was mostly being able to represent myself well of television and making sure that however far I got I was always true to myself. I think that’s what made it such a great experience for me. Getting out there on such a bigger platform then was what I needed, it was the right time, I was in the mind set and the right age as well. With that, being on the show has been a pretty good success.
You’ve been doing a bit of touring recently, what’s that been like and how’s the reaction been?
It’s been really great. So far I’ve mostly been on promotional touring, I’ve done some shows with my band, but it’s mainly been promoting this album and Come Along. So it’s really cool to go to places where they’ve only heard the recorded version of that one track and get to play them my live version along with more music and for them to see the difference. It’s a different twist and feel to the song and so far the reception’s been great to it.
The video for ‘Come Along’ is coming out soon, what can you tell us about it?
I think what’s great about the video is kind of the same thing I love about the album. It might have a more poppy sound, but it still concentrates on me as an artist and the video is like that. Lyrically the song’s about us seizing the day and living our truths and that’s a lot about what I stand for.
The video’s directed by Jon Jon Augustavo who’s a real up and comer. He just did the Macklemore ‘Thrift Shop’ video, which is getting him great attention right now. He’s a fellow Seattle-ite like me, so we shot it there and it was great.
It was the first thing I’ve done like this and he totally understood where I was coming from and we came along on what Come Along is all about.
What’s next for you then in 2013?
The single’s out and we just finished the video for Come Along, which is coming out this Monday and we’re just going there. We’re hopefully going to pick up speed and come to your side of town soon (laughs). I’ve never been to the UK. I’d just like to keep getting the music out there and get my album to as many ears as possible.
The video of Vicci Martinez’s song ‘Come Along’ is out now and you can watch it right here below.