Matthias Hartwig, aka Jimmy de le Mar, has been in the music business for over 30 years, first as the guitarist of the group ‘Glenn Copulation‘, which achieved respectable success in 1985 with the single ‘Nuklear Party‘ and after its breakup in 1987 as a DJ. From 1997 to 2005, he ran the JGM production with his bandmate Andreas Ohme (Batglenn), which wrote and produced songs for many artists and was able to achieve top positions several times in the MP3 platforms (predecessor of today's streaming service). In 2014, Jimmy de la Mar launched his first self-composed and produced song, ‘Deep Love‘, which was released worldwide. Since then, Jimmy de la Mar has released 20 songs and one album. His tracks come from the genres: vocal, deep, commercial, tropical, soul, and disco house, as well as EDM.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Jimmy de la Mar, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
I started in a school band. After school we continued. After we finally found a producer, were in the studio, had the first TV appearances, he was unfortunately shot in Thailand in the rice paddy. After that tried many, but in the end the band broke up. After a musical break, I then founded JGM Music Production with one of my group and we then produced others ourselves.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Oh, there are already a couple. Gladly, with David Guetta, we are almost the same age and our music is not so far away from one to the. Really cool would be Nils Rodgers, composer and guitarist of Chic. I am a big fan of him and his music. I've already remixed the hit Push by the funk and soul band One Way, and Nils has written such great songs that there would be a lot that I would remix.
Your latest song is 'You Know'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
When I first heard the vocal track I immediately thought of Simple Red and the song Come to My Aid. So I wanted to bring that kind of music into today. When I observe the youth today, I notice that more and more find older songs good and many regret that they couldn't experience the 80s and 90s live back then. It's always a balancing act not to produce some retro copy. Whether I have succeeded then decides the listener.
What are you focussing on right now?
I'm in a creative phase right now. My new song I Just Need To Know is just finished and the video is in the making. The song will be available everywhere in early June. Then an EDM version of my song I Gotta Know will be out at the end of July and in September my song So Good. Also, I'm in the works right now, with a new album. There will be 10 songs of mine remixed as pure EDM songs. I'm working together with other DJ's.
What are you most proud of?
This sounds very cheesy, but I'm very proud that there are people all over the world who listen to my music. I don't care if there are millions or just a few thousand. Just the thought that some person is sitting in their car listening to my song or some people are dancing to my music is a great thought that makes me proud.
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
To live from it. I don't have to, thank God, because I have my own company that is not dependent on the music industry. For unknown musicians, it's David versus Goliath. It's not an equal fight. Artists with big labels don't have to worry about anything except their music. In addition, you have huge promotion teams and money for promotion. I am an all-in-one musician. Artist, songwriter, lyricist, producer, and label in one person. The possibility to become known goes to zero. But there are so many great musicians out there and songs that few have heard, just because they don't have the promotion possibilities.
How do you structure your day?
Since I also have another company, I'm splitting it up. During the day the company and in the evening the music. If then appointments for the music are pending, I can do that at any time, because I'm my own boss.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I like to do sports. Fitness, skiing, tennis and walking with my dog Jerry. But my real passion is dancing. I love to dance for my life.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Not in the shower but in the car. I really sing everything, whether German or English. Whether R&B, house, pop or even hip hop. I just have to like the song and then I don't care if it's an old or new song.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like to produce and release music for many more years. A larger fan base would be great. I'm always happy when someone writes to me on Facebook, Instagram or Tiktok and wants to know something or just writes how he likes the song. I love that because I just like people and don't take myself too seriously. Making other people happy with your music is probably the greatest happiness you can achieve. Love to all your readers and thanks for the interview request.