Swiss indie-rock artist MattO recently unveiled his new lyric video, “It’ All About Me,” a song probing the pervasive and burgeoning dilemma of self-absorption.
With bemusement and compassion, MattO turns his satirical pen on the States, giving us a portrait of an American striver who has detached himself from his neighbor and hungrily chases his own goals.
While this character study is witty, it isn’t acerbic. “It’s All About Me” matches storytelling with the retro flavors of ‘70s music, revealing soft, shadowy textures and evocative vocals.
The lyric video for “It’s All About Me,” was created by frequent collaborator Marcello Bumbica, a filmmaker who shares MattO’s sense of mission and taste for the classics. Bumbica superimposes the narrator’s confessions over images of MattO at work on his music, surrounded by instruments, and impassioned on the microphone.
CelebMix spoke with MattO to find out more about the song’s inspiration, how he got started in music, and his creative process.
What inspired your latest single/music video, “It’s All About Me?”
I am concerned about cohesion in our society. Everyone seems to be absorbed with his/her self-fulfillment ignoring the importance of solidarity, which is necessary if our society is to work well for all. Individualism is a strong and positive force in our Western societies, but there is a tipping point when the atomization of interests will disintegrate society. There is a precarious balance between “individualism” and “collectivism” and I am afraid that balance is about to be lost. We need to remember, an individual that is not part of a strong group is nothing.
How did you get started in music?
I took guitar lessons when I was 12 years old and started to write my own songs when I was about 16. I played with friends in changing bands and then pretty much abandoned music when I started my career as a corporate lawyer. I simply did not have the time anymore. I took it up again when I was in my early forties when, in addition to my songwriting, I started to produce artists. About 10 years ago I decided to also produce my own songs that I perform.
Did your sound evolve naturally, or did you deliberately push it in a certain direction?
My sound evolved naturally. Of course, in the beginning, you copy stuff you like, but after a while, you find your own language and sound that feels good. From then on, you pretty much do variations of the same theme. As Neil Young put it: “It’s all one song.”
Are there any special recording techniques you use in the studio?
I am a big believer in live recording in the studio with the whole band present. That creates a magic mood which will more often than not produce great results as every band member is part of the creative process. I have been recording my songs with the same core group of musicians over the last years. There is a certain chemistry that translates into good sound!
What is your definition of tone? And has your tone changed over time?
I am driven by instinct not intellect when it comes to making music and creating the sound: I know a good tone when I hear one. Typically, I go for a warm tone and stay away from sterile machine-created sound. I do like distortion, though.
How do you keep your sound consistent on stage?
I have a good sound engineer. I usually perform with a small band, a trio, or a quartet, so it is easier to keep the sound consistent on stage. In addition, most of my songs have an acoustic backbone which is more forgiving on stage.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, or other media?
I basically write down in my songs what other people would write in their diaries: Reflections on life, observations about the world and its history, a recent experience or an emotion that impacted me. It’s my way of digesting what I experience in life.
What can you share about your writing process?
I typically start with the lyrics of a song. The words will provide a certain rhythm or groove on top of which I will lay the chords and the melody. It happens, though, that the harmonies and melody take over and then I have to work my lyrics to make them fit the music. So, while I do have a preferred way of writing, I’m not orthodox about it and just follow my instinct.
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
Taylor Swift is certainly the star of today who impresses me with her great songwriting and performance. She is quite something! I am also impressed by Ryan Adams and his prolific songwriting. Among the up-and-coming talents, I see a bright future for Sonic Blume, a band of college students who write fresh and interesting pop songs.
What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? Music videos? Live gigs?
I have close to 30 songs ready for release, so expect more songs to come your way: I plan to publish an EP in July and two albums over the next 18 months. In addition, I have scheduled some gigs in Italy and Switzerland later this year and hope to make it to the US East Coast as well.