Matt Brady

Story

Hello, I'm Matt Brady. I am a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and graphic artist based in the Akron, Ohio area. The music I create is “atmospheric progressive rock” with elements of ambient, electronic, heavy metal and orchestral present in different tracks. I remain true to myself as an artist by consistently progressing musically while challenging the listener to leave behind their expectations of what a solo artist can accomplish. My love affair with music began at age 11, when I started playing guitar. Subsequently, I taught myself the bass guitar, singing, piano and drum sequencing. The recording methods and production techniques I employ are self-taught as well. Sans an occasional collaboration, the releases are composed, performed and produced entirely by myself.

Profile

Instruments

Genres

Influences

Equipment

What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music is the single greatest form of human artistic expression. It serves to express something in us which cannot be expressed otherwise. It captures the splendor of a universal language which defies cultural and social boundaries. Music gives me an endless amount of joy and inspiration to better my own art.

What is your music dream?

To share my love of music with as many people as possible.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

By embracing my authentic self, I am the change I want to see in the world.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

I adored Michael Jackson as a kid. I have fond memories of dancing around my mom's living room to "Wanna Be Startin' Something".

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

I was once asked this exact question and it turned into a 45-minute conversation. My tastes are broad and I consume quite a bit of music on a weekly basis. A few current favorites (as of writing this in 2019) are: Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree, Hammock, Sleepmakeswaves, 36, Explosions in the Sky, MONO, Nils Frahm, Olafur Arnalds, Cloudkicker, Sphongle.

What inspires you to make music?

Listening to a wide range of music. Taking in new experiences. Life events. Meaningful conversations. Picking up an instrument. Dreams. Using a new or different piece of equipment.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

Cherish the experience of consciousness by embracing the moment and living fully now.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

In my element. No other feeling comes close to experiencing the high of shared energy between myself and an audience during a performance.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

The reality is this: It is absolutely a fantastic time to be a musician. Musicians from around the globe can connect and collaborate via the internet. Technological advances are making it easy to self-produce music within a relatively affordable budget. Just about anyone can record and release music without the need for record labels. That in and of itself is the pro and the con. Since anyone can do it, the market is flooded with an overwhelming amount of music. Every artist currently releasing music is fighting for the attention of an audience whose already inundated by a constant stream of instantly consumable media. With this abundance comes the changing nature of how people consume art. Music is increasingly becoming viewed as more of a commodity and less of an immersive experience. All of that being said, creating and sharing original music is worth all of the challenges faced if the artist making has a love of doing it. What can be improved: Increase music's perceived value.

What do you think of Drooble?

Drooble is a community of musicians whom treat each other decently on an online platform. I think that speaks for itself.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

A common theme with creatives is the inner "worst critic" voice which can hold them back. Fighting that can be a challenge.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

Most definitely. I attend local shows frequently. I give respect to the artists by devoting my full attention to them while they're performing. Also, bu chatting with them after a show. By buying CDs or a T-shirt. By spreading the word about artists in the scene.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Have good music. Be personable (don't be an asshole). Be dedicated. Be goal-oriented. Give up time-wasting activities and work on music goals. Offer support to others in their respective paths. Figure out what is unique about the music and let it shine. Take opportunities which are presented.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Indre, Acid Cats, Jared Lees, Lowercase Noises, Jaga Jazzist, The Church of Starry Wisdom, Sexy Pig Divas, Eleni Naomi, The Angie Haze Project, Bibio, Tauk, Ben Lucas Boysen, Covet, Fletcher's Grove, Jade Bird, Lubomyr Melnyk, Serena Ryder