IMB: Let’s talk about the much anticipated and long awaited new single “Pearl” from Tina Clark…How did you meet her and how did you end up on the project?

Anthony Clint Jr.

Anthony: I met Tina through Twitter. She was one of the first people I started following that was in the music industry. We would tweet each other occasionally and share each others’ music. About a year later, she asked for my contact info because she loved some previous music I produced and wanted to invite me to play on the “Pearl” project. Next thing you know, I’m in my studio playing on one of Tina Clark’s ingenious creations. LOL!

IMB: How did you feel when she invited you to be a part of the entire project?

Anthony: I was honored to be a part of the entire project because she is very passionate about her music and selective about who she works with. Just to be among those who caught her eye…or ears (laughs) felt pretty good! I’ve always loved jazz and smooth jazz, so to see what we can create together in this genre will be a great experience. It’s an awesome opportunity!

IMB: There is a story behind the project Nikki Ruth..How did she convey that to you and were you able to grasp the concept?

Anthony: Well she gave me a little background on her mother Ruth, which was her first name. Nikki was actually her mothers nickname…I’m not sure exactly how she got the nickname Nikki from Ruth (laughs) but yeah, and Pearl was her mother’s middle name. Hence the track “Pearl.” So the project basically revolves around her mother which is a really creative concept, I think, to produce a project that has such meaning and significance all the way throughout. Tina’s mother was also a diabetic, which led to the idea of partnering up with the American Diabetes Association and having some of the proceeds go to the association. So yeah, there’s more to the project than just a random name with good music. Lol! There’s a concept behind it.

IMB: Technology has made it so easy for artists, musicians and producers to collaborate on a project and play on the same track without ever being in the same studio… working with Tina in that manner…was it difficult musically to interpret what she wanted as the writer and producer?

Anthony: Well, in this instance she had most of the tracks and ideas already done or laid out, so it was more of me learning how to play what she already came up with. That made the process a whole lot easier. Then there were times where she would have to explain what she heard for certain parts of the song, such as the break-down. During the breakdown she wanted some type of change, tension and/or some instruments to drop out. She would throw a few ideas out there and I would work with those, along with my creativity, until we came up with something she loved.

IMB: Some say that she is kind of difficult to please …Is that true/did you encounter that from her? Would you say that you totally clicked with her?

Anthony: You know, I wouldn’t say she is difficult to please. I would just say she knows what she wants and you just have to deliver it how she wants it. Being a musician, producer, and songwriter, I completely understand that. A lot of times, as producers we hear things in our head and know exactly how we want them to sound. It may be hard to explain, but we know when it’s right and when it’s not right.  I would say there were instances when we clicked because I heard a specific sound in the intro and then she called me not long after and tried to explain the exact sound I heard! (laughs) Crazy, huh?

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