The brains behind viral hit ‘Head Shoulders Knees and Toes’, Norma Jean Martine’s stunning string of releases continues with the beautiful new EP ‘Visiting Hours’, complete with a hot dancefloor rework from the masterful MOTi.
We caught up with Norma to understand how the EP came about, and what we can expect from her in 2021.
T.H.E – Hey Norma! Welcome to T.H.E – Music Essentials. How has 2021 kicked off for you?
Norma Jean Martine – Hi! Thank you for welcoming me :) 2021 has really been me writing a ton of new music. It’s a little exhausting but worth it because there are some really exciting things lined up as a result.
T.H.E – We love your “Visiting Hours” EP. How did it come about, and what does the title signify?
Norma Jean Martine – Thank you – I’m so glad you like it. I wrote Visiting Hours a few years ago after my lifelong friend Brock passed away. His mom posted a meme on Facebook that said, “I wish heaven had visiting hours,” and I loved the concept so I brought it into a session with Rob Harvey (Head and Heart) and Jakwob. They created a safe space for me to feel the raw emotion of grief and loss. MOTi did a great remix of the track. The Hey Jude cover came about because my cousin Tony passed away. He was a lifelong Beatles fan, even auditioning for Beatlemania back in the day. I was too choked up to sing for him when he was passing, so I recorded this version when I went home that night for his sons to play for him. He passed while we were recording it, so I’m pretty sure he was in the studio with me. The crazy part is that his sons played Hey Jude for him as soon as he passed. I decided to add it to the EP because the theme tied in so well with Visiting Hours and the themes of grief and loss.
T.H.E – How was it working with MOTi on the remix as part of this EP and how did this collaboration come about?
Norma Jean Martine – It was great working with MOTi and I am really grateful for the remix. My people spoke to his people and we made it happen.
T.H.E – Were there any songs/artists that influenced the production of this EP?
Norma Jean Martine – Jamie XX Gosh / Lorde / Sia
T.H.E – What does the rest of 2021 look like?
Norma Jean Martine – Many more songs being released. Many more songs being written. Maybe a return to London. Definitely a trip to LA. Time will tell. x
