We have had the pleasure to interview Matt Westin, a country-rock artist from Pittsburgh, PA. We love his quality country groove, especially we like the vocals and the songwriting. Please enter in his artist page to listen to all Matt Westin’s songs.
-There are persons that find their path straight away when they are very young, while for others it takes some time and elaboration. Do you think this is true, or simply some persons stop listening to themselves and just stick with the plan they had in mind?
I think it's different for everyone. It took me a long time to find myself in a music career. I was an engineer, an actor, and a bunch of other things over the years. Everyone has some sort of passion, or some kind of area of interest. Sometimes life simply doesn't allow people to pursue the things they desire. I envy those who figure it out early in life, but I'm also grateful for the experiences I've had knowledge I've gained in all the various things I've done.
-What led you to pursuing an acting career?
I'd been interested in acting since I was in elementary school. I idolized guys like Bruce Lee, Stallone, Schwarzenegger, and Van Damme. I wanted to do what they were doing. I was actually very accomplished as a young man in martial arts, and I had some promises made to me that were unfortunately empty, but I wanted to be in action movies when I was a kid. I started doing little projects and filming things with friends, and it just built from there. Eventually, I had an independent film company for a few years, I had acted in films, commercials, a play, a music video, and I was living in Los Angeles for a bit. It's actually all come full circle recently, since I've switched gears and put music first. I am portraying a young Johnny Cash in a film later this year called 116 MacDougal. I have 2 songs on the soundtrack, I have a small but iconic roll in the film, and they are working on adapting the script for a Broadway production!
-Your record has a genuine and sincere flavor, giving the idea of your roots and origins with the depth of your vocal skills. Would you advise to fellow artists this making music and art about one's true background and skills?
I think the magic happens when the artist is being true to him or herself. Music and art doesn't necessarily have to be a documentary about their own life, but singing about things that they relate to and how they honestly feel about things gives it that depth and authenticity that makes it special. In the end, an artist can create whatever they feel led to create, and that's all that matters. Johnny Cash never shot a man in Reno just to watch him die, but I damn sure wouldn't have told him not to sing it!
-Did you feel that making music was something hard or natural in all the creative steps involved?
It's definitely a combination of the two. Creating great music is difficult. There's a lot that goes into building a song from scratch and making it something that sounds professional. But the natural side, from the inside of a person, is where it all begins. You can't make music without it. We all have music inside of us and a story to tell.
-Is there something of your, let's say, previous life as an engineer that has influenced your music and your desire to create?
I'm not really sure. I know that my experiences as an engineer have partially shaped me into the man I am today, so in that respect I'm sure it has influenced my music. But, I can't put my finger on how exactly engineering has influenced my music or my creativity. I can say this. Engineering has made me appreciate music more, because I was miserable as an engineer and my creative side felt like it was in chains. I suppose my previous life as an engineer helps me stay motivated with my music career, so that I never have to go back to it!
-Which career paths have you tried during your life?
I've had a lot of small jobs and a few careers in my life. The big ones are engineering, acting, and singing. But I've worked as a pyrotechnician for a fireworks company, I've sold gourmet cheese at grocery stores, I've bartended, I still do construction and electrical work, I still DJ at least once a week, and I thought about being a brewer at one point, but I never got past just making home brew. I'm hoping I can just stick with music and acting, but in the meantime, I have to pay the bills somehow!
-As a writer and a musician, everything affects your life, what do you think about it?
I've always been someone who thinks a lot, sometimes too much. I've found that writing and singing helps me to clear my head and makes me feel physically better. I think there's a song in just about everything.
-We really like the mood of your Good Time song and the mood of your record as a whole! What makes you feel fine?
Thank you. That's a fun song to sing. There are so many things that make me feel fine. I love the outdoors and the splendor of nature. It makes me feel closer to God. I'm a Christian, so learning all the time and my faith make me happy, even in the the darkest of times. I love playing sports, working out, and pushing myself to greater limits. But my uncle Mike had a great motto, and I think he was onto something. His key to happiness was good food, good drink, and good conversation. I think that boils down to enjoying the small things in life and cherishing your relationships with people in your life.
-How was it to work with Bryan Cole?
Bryan Cole is a special guy. First off, he's just a wonderful person and has become a brother and a mentor to me. As a musician and a producer, he constantly exceeds expectations and is truly meant for the work that he does. I am honored and blessed to work with him, and all the amazing people that he has brought into my life through creating my album Legacy.
-Your record is a great mix of rock and country music influences, what other music genres and styles have influenced you the most?
The other big influence, besides rock and country would have to be big band, or jazz, or however you'd want to describe Frank Sinatra and that whole era of music. If I had to pick one to listen to and that was it for the rest of my life, it would be that kind of music. I absolutely love it, and it helped me learn how to sing. I emulated guys like Sinatra when I was teaching myself how to sing as a kid. But I've enjoyed just about every genre of music you can think of. I just saw Metallica, I'm going to see Ozzy and Megadeth later this year, and I have albums in my old CD case of everything from Motown, to old school hip hop, to rap.
-Do you feel other kinds of crossovers in your future songs and records?
I think my music will always have some kind of a crossover aspect to it, since I am a fan of so many types of music. But, I want to stay true to country and not get into the territory of pop country that is so pervasive today. I'm not into hick-hop. To me, it's not country music at all. Basically, I'm just staying true to myself and I will create music that I like. Hopefully, others will like it too!
