Interview: Scott Matthews
Scott Matthews released his long-awaited new album The Great Untold at the end of April to coincide with a UK tour. Liverpool Acoustic’s Luke Moore caught up with the Ivor Novello winning songwriter ahead of his Music Room show on Saturday 5th May 2018.
Luke Moore: Congratulations on the release of The Great Untold on Friday. How does it feel to have finished and released your sixth studio album and be on a national tour again?
Scott Matthews: I never thought I’d be sitting here talking about the release of my sixth record. I feel very blessed to some degree that I’ve been able to get this one over the line. It’s a new set of songs I’m very proud of and I feel they sit well with my previous records. It’s very exciting to be on the road again, visiting places that I am extremely fond of and seeing many friendly faces along the way.
The writing in these ten new songs conveys a lot of soul searching and plenty for the listener to connect with and relate to. Which of the tracks are you most happy with and were there any that were particularly difficult to finish?
I’m very happy with the way they all turned out. The most challenging song was Cinnamon as I rewrote the song literally three days before the mastering session was booked. It was total eleventh hour chaos but I’m so thankful that the creative spirits descended into my world in times of need. My wife was also instrumental in getting that song in the bag.
The Great Untold’s songs are stripped-back in their instrumentation. Was this a conscious creative choice from the beginning or did you reach a point where you felt that adding layers would take away from the material?
I wanted to make a record that felt pretty seamless from studio to stage. It’s something I’d never successfully achieved before. There was always something missing when trying to replicate album versions. With this record I was conscious of creating guitar parts that supported the song without the need for anything else. I think I pulled it off (just about). I also wanted to create more space for the words. Giving the lyrics a chance to breathe was pivotal in making this album work. I was also very aware of the need to have space where hardly anything is going on, almost like mini spots in each track that give you time to reflect momentarily.
As a songwriter, you have previously talked about influences such as Paul Simon, Nick Drake and John Martyn, amongst others. Are there any producers whose work inspired your approaches to producing your new album?
I’m a big fan of Chad Blake but in terms of a producer inspiring this record, I think I just stick to certain principles within my own sound and not try to get distracted by what someone else is creating. I’ve always been a fan of John Wood’s engineering ability. Those Sound Techniques recordings were legendary when I think of Solid Air, Nick’s albums, Fairport Convention. I generally like records that feel ‘rootsy’ and have a big natural sound that you can almost touch.
This is the third record that you have recorded and produced in your home studio. What freedoms or challenges come with working in this way?
The important aspect is to stay disciplined in terms of what you’re trying to achieve. It’s so easy to spend hours not getting anything done, getting distracted, changing your mind endlessly, losing sight, moving on from the task at hand. I guess it comes down to capturing the moment when you’re working on your own. It’s great to have the flexibility and the option to cease the opportunity when you’re fired up. I enjoy working this way but I now think it’s important I move on and try something different. The last thing I want is to become stagnant in any way. The Shedio is a lovely space to work but I feel that I’ve got to change my approach for my own creative sanity.
You are now on a UK tour for the next month, which includes a show at Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room on 5th May. Are there any venues or cities that you particularly enjoy performing at or that are special in some way?
I’m not just saying it but my last show at Leaf in Liverpool was very special. There was some ‘spook’ and magic in the air. The audience were so up for it and they made the night a career highlight in many ways. I’m very lucky to have such a loyal fan base. I’ve been blessed to play some truly mind blowing cities and venues. I once played a 14th century chapel in Italy and it was a transcending experience.
Finally, what advice would you give to emerging singer-songwriters who are looking to make the dream of making a living from a music into a sustainable career?
To quote Oscar Wilde, “Be yourself; everybody else is already taken”. Be true to yourself and make music for the right reasons. Believe in yourself all the way as that’s the only thing that can pull you through in the most difficult situations. I’ve been there a good few times but you have to build up a resilience almost like building layers of armour around your heart.
Sincere thanks for speaking to Liverpool Acoustic and sharing The Great Untold with us.
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Scott Matthews plays the Music Room on Saturday 5th May 2018, 8pm start.
Tickets are £15 from the Philharmonic Hall Box Office
- 0151 709 3789
- liverpoolphil.com
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The Great Untold is available to buy online from scottmatthews.uk/products
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