Q : Thanks so much for joining us , Matt ! I saw you put on an incredible performance at Shelburne Museum last August with Mt . Joy , and we ’ re excited for your upcoming solo performance at Spruce Peak Arts . The new performance series at Spruce Peak Arts , “ Spruce Peak Arts Unplugged ,” provides a wonderful platform for songwriters who normally perform with full bands or orchestration to connect with their audience in a different way . How are you approaching this set differently than your performances with a full band ?
A : For me , it ’ s all about trying to find the right balance with a super intimate , vulnerable performance . Almost all of the songs I have written and played with Mt . Joy have started out with just me and an acoustic guitar . Hopefully , it will be a cool way for fans to see a different version of some of the songs that they really like . The reason that people normally come out to see Mt . Joy is because it ’ s exciting . It ’ s got all of these other players , colors , and personalities . Obviously , I can ’ t do all of that by myself with this show , but it ’ s a good opportunity to mix different things in , get the audience more involved , and bring them in closer . I ’ m going to use Mt . Joy songs and cover songs to create a different exchange between myself and the audience .
Q : When the energy is right , it becomes a truly collaborative experience between the performer and audience , and you ’ ve certainly created a strong audience connection through your performances with Mt . Joy . How do your choices of Mt . Joy song selections and covers for your solo show align with your aim of building a different sort of emotional connection as a solo performer ?
A : I think it ’ s different inherently , because there are songs that I love to play in any environment , but without Jackie ’ s piano moments , Sam ’ s guitar , or anyone else in the band , it wouldn ’ t be as interesting
when performed with just me . I ’ m choosing songs that are going to be conducive to just me and the acoustic guitar . I want to make it feel like I ’ m just a guy in a room , I ’ ve got some songs , and I ’ m going to belt them out and bring it to a space where we are all connecting and exchanging energy . I ’ m not a virtuoso guitarist . I ’ m not an opera singer , either . I ’ ve picked songs that I know people can interact with and add their own voices to , so that we can all make a band together as a performer and audience .
Q : It ’ s interesting that you talk about taking it back to basics , because this performance in and of itself somewhat
resembles the process when you ’ re writing songs for Mt . Joy . The fact that your aim is to make it approachable and authentic is also especially resonant in regards to Mt . Joy ’ s trajectory . You formed the band with people you grew up with in your hometown of Philadelphia , and its name embodies the spirit of the mountain you spent a lot of time at in Southeastern Pennsylvania . I think it ’ s fair to say that your story and your personal emotional journey have intertwined with Mt . Joy ’ s story , and that Mt . Joy ’ s reach has grown as you have continued to grow as an artist . In line with that , Spruce Peak is working towards giving local Vermont musicians who are working towards establishing their careers a chance to perform with the “ Homegrown in Vermont ” festival . You came up in a local scene as most musicians do , and you then chose to take the leap towards committing to a life in music . What would your words of advice be to musicians who are strumming on their guitars at home about what it takes to go the distance in the music industry ?
A : I came up doing open mics , getting in front of people , and playing my songs while I was terrified and shaking onstage . You slowly build confidence , but the confidence comes from the songs . I think anyone who puts the time in will start to gain more understanding and awareness of their music and its impact . I think what helps musicians move forward through those early stages is finding a balance between loving your music and being your own harshest critic . When you start to write songs that you believe in , that ’ s when you can move into the “ conquering ” stage of your career . When you know you have “ the stuff ,” you get the confidence . It ’ s similar to an athlete who knows that there ’ s no one who is going to stop them from putting the ball in the basket . Still , sometimes failure can come from moving too quickly , and thinking you can put that ball in the basket when you ’ re not quite there yet . It may take a little more time or learning , and there are two sides to it : There ’ s the performance , recording , and promotional side , and then there ’ s the completely free and beautiful side of it , which is just listening , learning , and being a student of songwriting . It all comes down to knowing when it ’ s time to strike . If the time is right and you have the song that ’ s going to take you there , you will see a path forward and you can go for it .
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