TGLR Interview With Matthew Santos

TGLR: Hey Matthew, how have things been going?

Matthew Santos: Things have been going ok I guess, just been really busy which can lead to some stress, but it’s good busy nonetheless.

TGLR: I have been following your music for a while, mainly through YouTube videos and MySpace, can you share with us how you got to where you are today?

Matthew Santos: How I got to where I am today is no short answer…so in a nutshell, I just pursued something that I loved and excelled at and I dedicated my time and energy into refining that respective craft and passion. But when you truly love something, when it truly brings you joy and fulfillment, the process happens naturally and soon you will encounter all sorts of synchronicities that affirm your path and help you move along. It’s a mystery, but it’s undeniable.

TGLR: Many Hip-Hop heads out there know you from your collaboration works with Chicago rapper, Lupe Fiasco. What was it like working with him and how did you two begin working together?

Matthew Santos: Speaking of synchronicities, Lupe Fiasco literally walked into my living room. I was living with a good friend of mine at the time who happened to own a recording studio called The Attic. Lupe and I both had recording projects going on at the same time and naturally we compared notes, and blah blah blah….

Working with Lupe was interesting. I’d never done anything even close to his kind of music before and soon my modest world of “soul / folk / rock” was belittled by a “urban / pop” stadium tour with Kanye, Rhianna, and NERD. Crazy experience all together, and I learned a lot from it.

TGLR: Have the two of you ever thought about putting out a joint album together, seeing as your tracks, “Shining Down,” “Superstar,” “Streets On Fire,” “Fighters,” & “American Terrorist”?

Matthew Santos: Maybe someday.

TGLR: I assume you have heard the upcoming Lupe album, Lasers. What do you think about it, and do you think Lupe is seriously hanging up the mic for good?

Matthew Santos: Nope. From what I’ve heard off the album I think he’s continually pushing his creative edge which I respect greatly.

TGLR: You have put out a solo E.P. (As A Crow Flies) and an album, what are your future musical projects?

Matthew Santos: I’m releasing a full-length album independently this winter with my band. We just got the first 6 songs mastered a few days ago actually. It’s an ambitious album for me mainly because we’ve tried some things that I’ve never tried before. It’s a bit edgier at times, but still reserves some mellow folk and bittersweet soul as well. I feel the album really exemplifies why I categorize my music “soul / folk / rock”.

TGLR: What is your opinion on music sites such as ours? Do we help or hurt musicians careers?

Matthew Santos: Any medium that spreads the love and passion of music, and delivers that passion to music lovers is helpful to us artists.

TGLR: In today’s world, one of the major problems in the music industry is songs leaking onto the internet. What is your take on that, and does it hurt or help musicians careers?

Matthew Santos: This is a tricky subject. It helps musicians in a big way by getting the songs out there into peoples hands and hearts. This is great for promotional purposes, but at the same time it’s not always honoring our intellectual property as artists. If the artist were to give the songs away him or herself, that’s another story, otherwise it’s technically considered stealing. Too many people are just taking music off the web and not giving anything to the artist in return and that’s not a fair exchange in my opinion.

On the other hand, it’s great that music from around the world is so accessible! And the more people that hear your music and like it will hopefully equate to more people coming out to see the show, or more people feeling inclined to help support the artists who live off of selling their intellectual properties, and giving live performances. So I say if you’re taking something without paying for it, at least pay your respects and help support the artist in other ways.

TGLR: I personally have stage fright, but can you tell us what it was like to play at the Glastonbury Festival & The Bonnaroo Festival?

Matthew Santos: Glastonbury was incredible. A crowd of 100,000 people, most of which knew the words to the song that brought us there (“Superstar”). Besides the weather and the drive there (we got lost), it was an amazing experience to perform for that many people.

TGLR: If you could work with any musicians in the music industry who would they be?

Matthew Santos: Feist, Paul Mc Cartney, DJ Shadow, Bjork, The Frames…

TGLR: You’re a man of many talents, and from what I understand; you can play both the piano (which is what I play) and guitar! Which one did you learn first, and which do you enjoy playing more?

Matthew Santos: Well I think I’m a little better at the guitar, but I love playing on real pianos. They just aren’t very mobile instruments though. But piano was my first.

TGLR: Where is your favorite place to perform (in and outside of the United States, doesn’t matter!)?

Matthew Santos: Well I always love playing in NYC and Chicago, but nothing beats my home-town Minneapolis. Paris was pretty cool though…

TGLR: Name five musicians who currently aren’t too well known, but make great music and everyone should know about.

Matthew Santos: Pomplamoose, Company of Thieves, Calvin Marty, Dessa Wander, Two Wurds, Ashley Still, Rachele Eve.

TGLR: Did you always want to be a musician? When did you finally figure out that this was going to be your profession?

Matthew Santos: I just dropped out of college and was wondering through the Alaskan wilderness with my brother from another mother, and the main thing I missed from being away from civilization…was music.

TGLR: When and where did you first perform live?

Matthew Santos: I don’t know…at my highschool maybe…or a coffee shop in Mpls. Or in my back yard for my friends…

TGLR: Thanks for taking the time and letting us interview, I can’t wait to hear you on Lupe’s upcoming album, and hopefully we will be able to review any of your future musical works! Keep it real!

Matthew Santos: For sure, we will be releasing our first single very soon so keep your ears to the ground, and follow me on Twitter and become a friend on facebook for by-the-minute updates. Peace in love.

More Matthew Santos News Coming Your Way Soon!

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