This Thursday, Matt Walters (best known for his track “I Would Die For You, which features Megan Washington) will be playing the Fuse Festival in Adelaide. Ahead of his appearance, Arno Billard caught up with the Melbourne based performer.
Last year was marked by the release of your 2nd EP(Talking in my sleep). What’s in the pipeline for 2011? I hear there’s a new album coming out soon, can you tell us about it?
Yes! My debut album is called “Farewell Youth”. It was produced by Paul Mckercher (Sarah Blasko, Augie March) and Francois Tetaz (Bertie Blackman, Gotye). It’s a pop record, that hopefully, doesn’t sound like a pop record…
How do you think it compares to your previous work?
I’m really proud of this record. We went into the studio last year with songs that I’d written over a 3 year period. So I feel that the material is really strong. It was made very quickly, most of it was done live over a few weeks. The previous EP’s have been very production based. Usually built up over time in a home studio setting. It was very liberating to just let go of all that stuff and just play and hear the songs back sounding finished very quickly.
What’s your song writing process like? Do lyrics or music come first?
It happens both ways I guess. Something happens though…I hear artists of all types talking about the creative process and it seems to be a pretty universal process. An idea or the essence of something happens upon me at any time – sometimes when I’m just drinking coffee or whatever – and my spine tingles (if it’s any good) and I have to get it down on paper or sing it into my mobile phone. You can never know when it will strike. But you must be ready!
Your latest EP features a wonderful song with Megan Washington called “I would die for you”. How did this collaboration happen?
I’ve known Meg for years now. When she moved down to Melbourne 4 years ago we started playing gigs together. I had that song kicking around for ages and she would always get up and sing it at my gigs. It just seemed right that she would sing it on the record.
The song was downloadable from iTunes when it was the free single of the week. Do you think it increased awareness of your music, hence generated more digital downloads for your other songs?
Absolutely! I heard from my label that 20,0000 downloaded that song that week. That’s pretty cool isn’t it? I certainly sold more EP’s and had more people at my shows after that.
Talking about collaboration again, who would you want most to sing with and why?
Probably Gillian Welch. i’d like to make an electro pop album with her. She’s my favourite singer/songwriter. She has a great pop sensibility. Pop dressed up in a country outfit. That’s basically what I’m trying to do with my music.
Anyone singing with you on the upcoming album?
I have a few duets with one of my hero’s Kim Richey. Kim is a Nashville based singer/songwriter that I grew up listening to. I first heard her singing with Ryan Adams on “Come Pick Me Up” from Heartbreaker. That’s the song that made me want to play music.
Will the new album bring an Australian tour, this year? Any dates, cities to reveal yet?
Absolutely! A tour mid year to support the May release.
Back in 2009, I think, you performed at the Sydney Opera House with Washington. Was it like a dream come true, to perform in such an iconic venue?
Yes! I got a little drunk before hand and ended up singing the wrong lines in the opening of my song. Pretty funny. Well, I didn’t think it was…
And finally, what can we wish you for this new year?
That many new people hear my record and hopefully love it as much as I do.
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In addition to the Fuse Festival, you can catch Matt at the Port Fairy Folk Festival in March.
