Martin Nievera: ‘I forgot the sound of applause’
Now that he’s back home at Vicor Music, Martin is looking forward to making more OPM hits
Silence has never been so loud, especially in the current circumstances. Even Martin Nievera, who is used to performing for large crowds, feels a little crazy not being able to sing or perform for the past months.
“We decided to do things on Facebook (FB) Live, Kumu and other platforms. We want to entertain the lonely, scared, unsure and unhappy. That is my purpose of the whole thing, not knowing that I will be healing myself, too, in the process,” Martin shared.
As he was recently doing a regular FB Live show at Balesin, shock overcame Martin upon hearing the people’s response. “It was just impromptu. I invented plexiglass so I could sing with people watching and my droplets will not be dropping. What I did not expect was their response. I forgot the sound of applause. I nearly had a heart attack,” Martin admitted.
The experience was memorable enough that Martin missed performing even more. But with the help of technology, he is able to do “Quaran-Twins,” a regular FB Live session with his twin sister, Vicki.
Wish at home
Thirty-eight years in the entertainment industry is a feat in itself, but the Concert King still wishes for one thing — to be as famous as Lea Salonga and Arnel Pineda.
“I want to be known worldwide, not just by my own people. I truly feel I haven’t peaked yet. I’m hoping for a project that will catapult me to that scene like Lea Salonga and Arnel Pineda. I want that, too,” Martin said during the video conference of his homecoming at Vicor Music, the record label where he first signed at the age of 19.
He had just arrived from the United States, when the young and naive Martin was immediately spotted by Vicor’s big boss, Vic del Rosario, after appearing on a TV show in 1983. “He said, ‘I want that guy’ and recorded me right away,” Martin recalled.
Then his career thrived. The same year, Martin released his debut album Take 1 which includes the songs “Holiday,” “Pain” and “Be My Lady,” one of his most iconic songs composed by Vehnee Saturno. He released a total of six albums then, The Gift (1984), Martin (1985), Miracle (1987), A Martin Nievera Christmas (1988) and Dream (1989).
Thirty-eight years in the entertainment industry is a feat in itself, but the ‘Concert King’ still wishes for one thing — to be as famous as Lea Salonga and Arnel Pineda.
Now that he’s back home at Vicor Music, Martin is looking to make more OPM hits. “It was a no brainer when they asked me to join and celebrate 50 years with them. Vicor couldn’t have asked me at a better time in my life when I was longing to release new music,” he said.
Martin also aches for the usual process of making music and hopes that his comeback with Vicor will revive those heydays. He said, “It’s not anymore a trend to make CDs and do signings. I want to relive those old days of recording songs…. We couldn’t make albums as quick as we can now.”
Verb del Rosario, executive vice president of Viva Music Group and Vicor Music, shared that releasing vinyl records including Martin’s songs is part of their agreed plan.
Martin added, “I’m doing revivals as well. I’m asking if we can do it like the new composer and an old voice or new composer and an old face.”
He is also slated to record an original song in time for Christmas.