Artist in the Hotseat - O Mataeus
What is the origin of your artist name?
I had a housemaster at school that would always call me Mataeus, and I took it on because it links to singing in Latin when I was a chorister. Choosing a name as an artist is always a challenge but I’m determined to stick with this one, it brings back some good memories!
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently planning the recording of an EP to release sometime in Autumn/Winter, and I’m working on some new material as well that will hopefully be released separately to that.
How has your experience as a chorister for Canterbury Cathedral shaped your musical style?
I think being classically trained is the main thing, the transition from classical to popular vocals is quite a strange one and I’ve been told before now that it’s easily spotted in the way I sing; I quite like it but also I’d like to work on my popular style more, it’s a very different technique and mindset to perform with.
What do you like to do outside of music that inspires your work or contributes to your musicality?
I work as a bartender doing night shifts a lot, so a lot of my music is written either before or after a shift on the bar, which I feel lends itself to my songs being slightly darker in sound.
What genre of music do you consider your work to be?
I honestly could not pin it down to a specific genre, it’s my most feared question; there’s a bit of rock, a bit of classical, a bit of acoustic, definitely some indie/pop somewhere along the lines and also some metal thrown in the mix at points; I like heavy guitar and drum sounds with lots of bass, I really can’t fit it to anything at the moment.
Which bands or artists are your major influences?
Jeff Buckley, Ben Howard, Daughter, Marika Hackman, Lucy Rose, maybe some Bring Me The Horizon as well, they’re all people I listen to constantly.
How long have you been performing solo as O Mataeus? Were you previously in a band?
About a year now, I was in a band called Hepzibah which then changed to Eden Circle until may last year, but circumstance and timing changed my priorities so we parted ways on a mutually friendly basis and I still talk to all of the guys. I played cello, keys and did some back up vocals for them as well.
How has your music evolved since working as a solo artist?
I think the main thing was getting into a studio to record backing tracks to play along to, it helps create a bigger sound for live playing and represents more of what I’d like my records to sound like. There are some songs that will remain very cut back and with minimal instrumentation and production but I have lots of ideas in my head for what my material would sound like on albums in the future, and they are always bigger than just a guitar and vocals.
Which are your favourite original songs to perform? Do you ever play any covers?
I occasionally play a cover of Elton John’s ‘Your Song’, but only if I’ve practiced it enough recently and if I’m trying to fill a longer set. My favourite song to perform at the moment is ‘Stars’, it’s probably the most emotional song I have written and performed, but ‘Fears’ is another I love playing because of who it was written for. I have a new song on the way that I feel might overtake both of those as it’s extremely personal and quite uplifting as well, but ‘Stars’ is one that I regularly have to hold back tears when playing live, that’s what makes it special for me.
Could you briefly describe your music-making process? Do you follow a strict routine or is it more spontaneous? Do you write your lyrics before the music, or is it an integrated approach?
I don’t really follow a routine at all, sometimes I’ll be practicing for a gig and I’ll find a new riff or chord progression that I like and I’ll try and make an entire song structure from it, although 9 times out of ten that doesn’t work too well. Writing lyrics is the same, if a line or series of lines come into my head then I try and just write the whole song without an idea of the music behind it I never get round to actually writing anything that fits. I’m lucky if I manage to have a guitar in my hands when I get a line pop up, those tend to turn out the best, but there are the odd times where I just get a phrase and a tune to it and ten minutes later I have a whole song panned out in my mind, that hasn’t happened for a while though… It’s just about finding more time to dedicate to just playing at home.
What has been your biggest challenge as a solo artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Probably being too hard on myself. I focus way too much on the negatives of my sets. As for getting over those things I’m really focusing on dedicating time to practice and writing as much as I can so that I’m prepared for anything that could happen on stage. Material however will be a challenge for a while, as I don’t have easy access to studios yet so I’m not able to record much at the moment, but that will change in the next few months hopefully.
What direction do you see your work taking a few years from now?
I’m hoping to find a sound and developing that as much as I can, eventually starting to tour as a headliner somewhere in the future, but for the closer years I see myself doing a lot of support slots and a lot of writing/studio time so that I build a fan base and a portfolio to show people what I do.
What advice do you have for aspiring solo artists or people who want to form their own bands?
Definitely learn to drive, really helps with gigging. Play as much as you can, practice, hang out together as a band, do not devote yourself to a full time job, and make sure you enjoy everything you are doing and if you aren’t, change it so that you are. Email anyone and everyone because you never know what they might respond with, make sure you have a strong online presence and be prepared for things to go wrong. The best way you’ll learn to improve as an artist is by failing, so don’t be afraid of it, but also don’t focus on it, always move forwards.
How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
I have a facebook page with links to my Soundcloud and bandcamp profiles. Soundcloud has demos for streaming and bandcamp has my debut single Secret available for purchase. There will be a youtube channel and more material soon to download/buy, but CDs are a little while off just yet.
Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Laura, who tirelessly drives around following me and making sure I’ve eaten and that I’m happy every single day. Also The Pound (the bar I work at) for giving me enough shifts to let me spend money on things I (sometimes don’t) need. Revelation St Mary’s has had me play before as well so I’d like to say a big thanks to the team as it’s one of my favourite venues to perform in.