Join us as we delve into the inspiration, Southern influences, and creative process behind 'All Fired Up' with Michael Matney. Explore his musical journey, collaboration with Stevie Salas, and what's next for MATNEY!
1.
Congratulations on the upcoming release of "All Fired Up"! Can you
tell us more about the inspiration behind the single and what listeners can
expect from it?
The genesis
of the song was during Covid lockdown. The song is all about getting out, a
night on the town the official description is..” All fired up is a night out on
the town, feeling cocky and running on all cylinders. The hypnotic, relentless
pulsating drive is definitely going to take you someplace." I originally
did a version during the lockdown with some guys online. There was a drummer
from Italy Ottavio Liguria and a bass player from Canada John Burkitt and a
guitar player from Russia living in China Konstantine Yakimovich. But when
Stevie Salas my producer got a hold of it it became a whole different song,
together we rewrote it and he rearranged it.
2. The southern rock influence is quite evident in your music. How did the rich
history and culture of the South, particularly your own experiences, shape the
sound of "All Fired Up"?
Okay cool
question your gonna make me think a minute. I guess A I grew up listening to
Skynyrd. My fist concert was Marshall Tucker. I guess, B I can’t deny myself.
I’m a country boy born and raised, I live in a farm in a log cabin in a rural
community in the Appalachians. It comes out in my lyrics and my playing style.
All that being said Stevie Salas is a genius in the studio and he had a
concept, idea of what he wanted me to sound like. We were after that Southern
sound. So when someone says it reminds them of ZZ Top or something then I’m all
good with that.
3. The video for "All Fired Up" was released on January 26th. Could
you share some insights into the creative process behind the video and how it
complements the message of the song?
I give
credit to several people for that. I went to work with Tom Flynn in NYC for
that video. Tom was recommended to me by Kevin Gutierrez who runs Assembly Line
Studios where the album was recorded. Kevin has also produced several videos
and originally had a great concept and was going to do the video to All Fired
Up but we were having trouble booking the ‘little person’, long story. Anyway,
he recommended Tom and I flew to New York to work with him. As per my producer
Stevie Salas the video was meant to introduce me and feature me as a as a
character. If you notice the guys in the band are dressed a little different
and are kinda in the background.
All planned above my pay grade so to speak.
4. Michael Matney, your journey seems to have been shaped by farm life, faith,
and overcoming personal struggles. How have these elements influenced the
lyrics and overall theme of "All Fired Up"?
First thanks for giving me a chance to talk about my faith. As a Christian I constantly struggle it. That being said a lot of my lyrics reflect that struggle. There’s definitely that dude that likes to howl at the moon and that’s All Fired Up. Later when the album is released you’ll find other songs that touch on that subject matter. Mostly with a feather. I’m not a guy to beat somebody over the head with it, Yea I was pretty wild in my younger days. Heck I got thrown outa David Alan Coe’s band!
5. Music and faith played a significant role in bringing you back to the
straight and narrow. How do you hope your music, particularly this single, can
resonate with others facing similar battles?
Again not gonna beat anybody over the head with my views. It’s just that I’ve listened to all the ideas and theories and for me the Bible is simply the best explanation as to why I’m here and my purpose. For years I thought I had to be perfect, live right etc.. Well once I/you come to realize it’s not what I/you do, but what’s already done for me/you it makes things different. Takes off some of the pressure we put in ourselves. That pressure leads to all sorts of nonsense. I made myself and the man upstairs a promise though, the bigger I get the more people are gonna know I’m a Christian. I’m not backing down from that.
6. Working with Stevie Salas, a multi-platinum producer known for his work with
artists like Justin Timberlake and Mick Jagger, must have been an incredible
experience. Can you share some highlights from the collaboration and how it
influenced the final sound of the single?
Working
with Stevie. Well Ive always been a fan of Stevie’s work. Most people are and
don’t realize it. Stevie has worked with so many artist. I’m super proud to be
one of them now.
I remember reading an article about Taylor Hawkins talking about Stevie
discovering him and working him hard on his first tour with Sass Jorden. He
said Stevie would stand in the side of the stage and yell at him. Then he went
on to say how Stevie brought out the best of him and how much he loved him for
it. That’s how it is working with Stevie. I was staying in the apartment over
the studio and would read his book at night and then go down and work with him
the next morning. It was intimidating. He grilled me on the vocals and staying
in charecter. I’m super glad he did. Much respect for the guy.
7. Stevie Salas co-wrote the single and provided lead guitar. How did this
collaboration come about, and what did he bring to the creative process?
All fired
up is the only track on the album Stevie didn’t put the lead on although Stevie
did play all over the track. That main solo was Stevie decided to keep from
those original sessions with Konstantine Yackimovich.
A couple of years ago now I reached out to Stevie online and a mutual friend
also reached out to him on my behalf. He agreed to produce the album for me. I
flew to Austin to Kevin Gutierrez’s Assembly Line Studios and we began
recording in January of ‘23. I had hoped beyond hope that he might play a track
on the album. Stevie got deeply involved with helping my rewriting and
rearranging the songs and before I knew it and to my delight he played on all
the tracks.
8. Your earlier act, White Boy and The Average Rat Band, has gained a cult
following in the post-punk scene. How does your musical journey with that band
compare to the sound and direction of MATNEY?
Intentional
different directions. WBATARB as I’ve come to call it appealed to a more umm I
do t know if I would say sophisticated but an audience that was looking for
something different, more raw, eclectic. Whereas Matney is designed to
have a broader appeal.
9. You have a history as the guitarist for David Alan Coe. How did that
experience contribute to your growth as a musician and influence the music you
create with MATNEY?
My
experience with David Allan Coe was short lived. That was in my wilder days. As
a matter of fact how wild do you have to be to get thrown out of David Alan
Coe’s band.
I was living back home in my dads trailer park when my buddy Kriss Famous
called and ask if I’d like to come play with David. Kriss was David’s band
leader and I had played in Kriss’s band a few years earlier. I was excited for
the opportunity till zeros said we were opening for Waylon that Thursday. I ran
out an bought all the David Alan Coe albums I could find. He had 27 at the
time. So when Thursday came I seen David in the arena out by his elf and I
walked up and introduced myself and ask him what songs we were gonna do. He
said you’ll know them when I start them and turned and walked away. I really do
appreciate him giving me the opportunity and honestly again zi was a mess back
then and I don’t blame him for not keeping me around.
10. Fans of Southern Rock may be familiar with your name, and your earlier work
is highly sought after by collectors. How does it feel to have such a lasting
impact on the music scene, both in post-punk and Southern Rock?
Oh man, I don’t know about all that. I’m just an old guy that’s all. I’ve had some great friends but I’m still just a star struck wannabe.
11. Your last album received critical acclaim, with one review calling it "(possibly the last) entry in the Greatest Post-Punk Albums Nobody’s Ever Heard." How do you approach creating music that stands out and resonates with audiences in unique ways?
Stevie
said,”chicks gotta be able to dance to it and guys gotta be able to rock out on
the guitar”. Nobody ever told me that when I was 18 with that first album.
There’s no denying the influence a good producer has in your music.
12. The ROCKPIT described your last album as something every fan of post-punk
and proto-metal would want. How do you navigate blending genres to create a
sound that appeals to a diverse audience?
Good
question. Again though I think it goes back to your producer. I mean I’m not a
prolific writer and when I first started working with Stevie he went through my
whole catalog and found stuff he thought might work for us. It was apparent
that sometimes I’m all over the map.
13. Having performed in legendary clubs across the States with White Boy and
The Average Rat Band, do you have any standout memories or favorite venues from
those experiences?
Yes, The
Whisky A-Go-Go. That for a musician like me is like driving the ultimate sports
car or flying a jet. Not even to mention the history that’s there. It’s just
the state of the art sound and the motorized video cameras and just the whole
vibe. There’s maybe one other place. I went to Sweden once with ZED HEAD outa
Canada and that was a blast. Fans over there are different and that’s all I’ll
say about that.
14. With "All Fired Up" set to release under Roulette Records, how
has the partnership with the label impacted the production and promotion of the
single?
Those guys
are great! Shout out to Vivanne for all her hard work and to Marc Carey for
having us onboard. Very supportive, very patient. Did I say very patient? I’ve
drove them crazy but they have really went the extra mile for us. Also with
their ties to Cargo we’re working with Stevie’s people. Remember he sold a
couple of million I’d be happy with well ….a bunch.
15. Looking ahead, what can fans expect from MATNEY in terms of future
releases, and do you have any upcoming tour plans or exciting projects in the
pipeline?
Yes we do
but I’m leaving you with this tease, come find us and follow us on our socials
for further details…..
‘The Redneck and The Redman,' a Southern Rock Musical Album by Matney
Matney (@matneyband) • Photos et vidéos Instagram
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