Martin Nievera

During a press conference at the Viva Cafe in Araneta City on Aug. 24, Martin explained why his latest venture is particularly special to him.

"For me to do something this late in my career, it's important at my age to do something like this in the business, when I thought you had had enough of me, and you wanted to hear new singers. 

"So it's important to me to stay current and do things like these. And it's important because that's where I started from, and that's Vicor Music," Martin said.

Martin, 62, is thrilled that vinyl records are regaining popularity. Even without the streaming platform for his latest album, Martin is confident that his fans will continue to support his music.

"Many of my fans have grown up with me. And they are ready to start collecting my vinyls. And for my new fans who don't want to buy the album, they might be a little upset.

"But I hope they will discover the magic and treasure of buying a long-playing album. They can start collecting my vinyls. I think many people are ready to collect vinyls," Martin said.

Martin encouraged the current generation to enjoy the experience of listening to vinyl records.

"The actual sound of the needle to music is so hard to explain. I would like you to hear it. Once you listen to it, you're hooked. Young kids now invest in a sound system. They search for old albums, and they don't care who. 

"They want to hear what it sounds like. They don't know the authenticity of the needle to vinyl. Digital is so clean that it almost sounds fake. If you listen to my first album, I have so many flats and sharps," he said.

Martin Nievera's 'Take 2' album, which is only available in vinyl format.

Martin called his latest album "Take 2" in reference to the first album he recorded, "Take One," which was released in 1983. It spawned hits such as "Pain," "Holiday," and "Be My Lady."

"Take 2" pays tribute to Martin's favorite OPM songs. "These are the songs that I loved and I sang on my shows that we re-did or we did a Take 2 of these songs."

Martin mentioned that all the songs in "Take 2" are collectibles, as he hopes vinyl records will make a big comeback in the country.

"We could have done it by releasing the songs first and then the LP. I like the idea that vinyls are coming back. I hope more things will come back, like album signings and autographs in the malls, so that I can see my fans again. 

"Some artists want to finish it in 30 minutes, but I can spend the whole day on it. I want to know what they are thinking. I miss the person-to-person promos. There's a relationship here,'' he said.

Asked about his personal vinyl record collection, Martin said, "I don't have my vinyl copies. I lost it in a divorce. It's a long story."

Martin Nievera performs some of the songs from his latest album 'Take 2', which is only available in vinyl format. (Viva Cafe)

'Leaves'

Martin revealed that "Leaves" by Ben&Ben, one of the songs in the album, is one of his favorite songs.

"When I first heard of 'Leaves,' I fell in love with Ben&Ben. Finally, someone's coming out making real music. It's a timeless song that can be interpreted in many ways. 

"It's one of those songs that will stick with you forever. Ben&Ben for me is our version of the Beatles. Their songs are timeless, and they represent an era. For me, that is important for a singer and songwriter. 

"We have to come up with music that will say something about our life, where we came from, and where we're going. Ben&Ben is so good at doing that. It's a good thing they allowed me to do it," Martin said.

'Be My Lady (2025)'

"Be My Lady" is one of the many songs that catapulted Martin to stardom. But the balladeer vowed never to sing the latest version live again because his fans believed it was harder to sing.

"Are you aware of the big modulation that everybody loves doing in karaoke? We made it even harder. We added one more modulation. I tried to sing it once live. 

"Akala ng mga tao pinahiya ko sila. Nagalit ang mga tao. I don't sing this version. Ayoko magalit ang mga tao because this is the era of sing-along. (People thought I embarrassed them. People got angry. I don't sing this version. I don't want people to get angry because this is the era of sing-along). Before the pandemic, ayaw kumanta ng mga tao or ayaw makipag-audience participation (People don't want to sing or don't want to engage in audience participation).

"But after the pandemic, everybody wants to be a star. So with 'Be My Lady,' people like the old way. You will only hear the new version of 'Be My Lady' in Take 2. I'm not going to sing it live. That's a very personal song for many people," Martin said.

Martin Nievera's first album 'Take One'

Martin's success

After 42 years in the entertainment industry, Martin reflected on a time when his success had inflated his ego. In his youth, he recalled being surrounded by people who told him he was arrogant.

"I want to describe to you Martin Nievera before he came to this country. I went to school, and I was bullied and beaten up. My lunch money was taken. That's me. I would try out for a basketball team, but I won't make it. I did everything substandardly. I wasn't even a genius—a so-so student. 

"So I came here. I became a singer. Then people are screaming for me. Talagang lumaki ang ulo ko. It's like you're poor and you become rich. That was me with fame. 

"Naging mayabang ako (I became arrogant). But it didn't last long. Thank God. If it stayed with me, I would not be with you here right now," said Martin.