Every now and then a song resonates so much with all of the guys in our band that it becomes a theme for certain points in our touring lives…it’s not really an overly serious thing…the songs have ranged anywhere from Tom Petty’s “Refugee” to the rock remix of Rich Boy’s “Throw Some D’s” to R. Kelly’s “Gotham City.” Over the past month, the song has been “Open Road” by a killer artist and a good friend of mine named Matthew Mayfield.
We met Matthew while he was still a member of his band, Moses Mayfield, who had a great album called “The Inside” which was released on Columbia Records before the band got caught up in a mess with the label and they parted ways. Matthew has rebounded, to say the least, and just released a new solo EP, “Five Chances Remain Hers” which debuted at #1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart. He was kind enough to answer a few questions for me below.
You can check him out on myspace HERE, and follow him on twitter HERE.
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Congrats on debuting @ #1 on iTunes’ Singer/Songwriter chart! Tell us a little about your new EP “Five Chances Remain Hers.”
Thanks man. Honestly, I was pretty stunned when I saw it had made it up there. This EP is the next wave for me. It’s another stab at making a name for myself as a solo artist. This time, everything was a lot simpler. We didn’t slave over getting the perfect takes. We just played the song a few times til we felt like the vibe was there. I think letting the songs breathe like that and take shape on their own was a cool way to approach it.
You were in a great band called Moses Mayfield on Columbia Records. How does your new EP compare to the album you wrote as a part of that band?
I think sounds a bit more grown up. I wrote a few of the songs on the Moses record when I was 19. I’m 26 now—and while I’m certainly don’t consider myself ‘wise’, I feel like the small amount growing up I’ve done in the past few years shows up on this record. Also—when you’re with a major label, there’s a lot of emphasis on ‘the single’. Writing, recording, the way the album is produced—it’s all done with the masses in mind. And there’s nothing wrong with that at all. It’s just that this time I wanted to let the art speak for itself. No hiding behind slick production and walls of guitars. The focus is always on the vocal this time—which makes it more personal and WAY more vulnerable.
How is the creative process different now, being a solo artist, as opposed to being in a band?
In a lot of ways, it’s not all that different. I wrote the Moses songs with a band in mind—always thinking about who was gonna play what. With the solo stuff, I just write for me. And unfortunately, when something’s not right or a song just flat out sucks—there’s only one place to point the finger. :)
You released this EP independently; any thoughts on jumping back into the label world?
I am certainly not opposed to record labels. There’s a stigma in the indie world about labels. And having been signed and lost in the wash—I know why. But there are some great labels out there signing great artists with a career in mind. That’s what I want. Not a place that’s interested in a song or a scene or a look—but a place that’s passionate about me as an artist. That’s what I look for in everything. Management, agencies, PR—all of it.
Paul Moak produced and mixed the new EP, why did you feel like he was the best fit for you?
We really hit it off as friends and as artists from the first meeting. He shared my vision for wanting to make a record that didn’t sound like everything else. He’s known around Nashville as being the ‘vibe’ guy—just looking for good songs, good players, and good takes. There’s not a lot of studio trickery with Paul. I love that. He’s got amazing ears and a serious gift for capturing the beauty of each song. His approach is unique—and that made working with him really appealing.
“Open Road” has become one of our favorite songs to put on while we’re on the road…Could you talk a little bit about what the song’s about?
That’s definitely my favorite song on the EP. It’s a song about desperation and longing for freedom. I feel like the freedom I seek is often times out of reach—and the song is just a plea for help.
What are some artists who’ve been influential for you as an artist?
I’m all across the board. Old Guns N’ Roses and Led Zeppelin got me hooked as a little kid. Neil Young, The Strokes, Damien Jurado, Peter Gabriel, Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon—they’re all currently making cycles in my CD player. *Yes, I still listen to CD’s. :) As artists—I think we’re all just trying to recycle and reprocess what our influences have taught us in an original way. I’m doing my best.
If you could play one show with any artist in history, who would it be?
I would have to say Zeppelin. They pioneered the sounds that influenced the majority of what I listen to. And there’s a mystic energy to that band that’s so powerful. When that arena was full and the lights went black—those guys took over in a way that I’ve never seen. Plus they were just a band full of all stars. No frills. Just great rocknroll music.
Where can people grab a copy of “Five Chances Remain Hers”?
iTunes here: http://tinyurl/fcrhitunes It’s also available at Amazon, Lala, eMusic, and Napster. Physical copies are available exclusively at the shows for now—but more to come on that front soon.
