I had the honor to sit down and have a great conversation with the budding dance-electronica pop-star, Matty Marz. She is absolutely so lovely, fabulous, and has such an engaging way with words. In September, she released her 7 track debut album entitled m.w.u. In our conversation, we talked about the album release and she also walked me through her creative process, she reminisced on her musical background, she reveled in the great changes she’s experienced since transitioning, and she talks about her aspirations and the trajectory of her career. Matty is a refreshing addition to pop-music and it was a pleasure to get to know her better as an artist and as a person. After reading this interview, stream m.w.u on your preferred music platform and follow Matty to keep up with her.
K: So I was stalking your website, you know, doing my research, and I saw this quote and it said, "Matty can steer the creative process any way they see fit." So if you can elaborate on this, I would love to know how your creative process begins. What is that initial light bulb moment that draws you to the studio?
Matty: “It's a little bit different every time. I think what's great about being an artist. And, you know, I feel like I have my own personal definition of being an artist. And for me, it's kind of being able to really pinpoint every aspect of the creative process. And 90% of this album that I'm releasing is executive produced by myself and almost entirely written by myself alone. So I think with having all of these different creative facets, that go into with the overall persona of "Matty Mars" is, I think I'm able to really understand what it is I'm trying to accomplish with each song. And yeah, recently I've been-- I feel like my writing style has been a lot more freeform and a lot more kind of, um, kind of almost instantaneous where I feel like I get an idea and then I'm like, okay, this is, I have this melody line and like, let's see where that melody line can take us. And then, you know, sometimes it's kind of the opposite where I have either a word or a saying that I'm like, okay, this is really intriguing to me. Like, how do I want to elaborate on that on that. But I think a lot of what I loved about making this album was that there was a lot of points where I got to kind of follow the creative like line or vision like step by step which was kind of like I don't really know where this is going but I know it's going to take me somewhere great and I think the best examples of that are on "Moment with you," “ain't sorry,” and then the final song "Sing You to Sleep." And I felt like those all were kind of songs where they were like kind of slightly different formats of like that same kind of expression. But like with "Moment with you" I was like feeling this intense level of like you know being unwanted and being kind of not seen for who I really am and kind of underappreciated. And that kind of led me to, you know, the first like verse in the pre-chorus kind of being written. I was like, okay, like I have something here. Let's follow that. And then similarly with “Sing You to Sleep,” I had this beautiful guitar melody that I was like, you know, really kind of feeling very down and very upset and kind of in a dark place. And I was like, okay, let me see what comes out of it. And it felt like a very much like a freeform kind of slam poetry kind of vibe and then it grew into this, you know, magnificent kind of like electronic ballad. And then on the opposite end with ain't sorry, I kind of was so I was frustrated at like this specific person. And I remember I was like drinking in the studio and I was just kind of like making this like really obnoxious beat. And one of my friends who he played guitar on it was kind of there with me. We were just like totally f*cking around like blasting out the bass and just whatever. And then I got on the mic and then the intro to that song, which is like, I don't care that you think you're so f*cking cool, you're a f*cking cunt, and I hope you eat sh*t. It was like literally like my first take, I was just so upset and angry, and I was like, how do I transmute this to a song? And I think that's again, like that, I had that initial thing and I was like, okay, it has to start like that, but like, where is it gonna go? So I think that's kind of what is amazing about being able to steer the boat by myself and being like, okay, like, this is the vision, this is what I'm envisioning for it.”
K: What are some things that you need in order to make a good recording session? Like, what are some things that you need on your person or just to just to get the vibe? Like what kind of vibe are you going for in the studio?
Matty: “I love that question. I feel like it's again, it's kind of, I'm kind of low maintenance. Like I'm not too like, I need like green M&M's in the room. Like it's like, I think it's kind of a lot of the times too, it's just like my computer and like I have my, you know, SM7B microphone and I kind of do a lot of scratch vocals and, and kind of stuff in my bedroom, which is kind of nice. So I'm able to kind of have this very relaxed sensibility. But when I am in the studio, I think, I always like to just have, you know, I think positive and good people around you is like the first and foremost. I'm very kind of picky with who I work with in that regard, both as like producers or songwriters, but also like my engineer. And like I have like one person, you know, shout out his name's Ryan Schumer. And I've worked with him so much over the years, and I just think our friendship was kind of born out of him being so intrigued by what I was doing and just taking a lot of TLC with me through that process. So I feel like that's kind of the most important from the jump. You have to have good energy and good people around you. But I also just kind of like, I love like, I'm such a long island girl, I feel like I love like a little snack. I'm like, I'm very much just like a sweet treat girly. So like a little sweet treat or like, sometimes like a bagel and like a huge coffee.”
K: What helps you to work and get through a creative’s block like a musician's block or writer’s block?
Matty: “Also, amazing question. I think I'm kind of in the midst of that, like right now, I feel like I've been, so I've been transitioning for the past like year and I think it's going to be a year and two months, this coming month, so in a few weeks. And during that time, my whole life has changed. The way that I view myself has changed, artistry is changing. And there's still a lot that goes into that. It's kind of like crafting a new identity, which is very intense and very jarring. And so I think with the release of this album, I feel a lot of like, whoa, like the last two and a half years, it's kind of now summed up and something that people can listen to. And like kind of being like, well, what's next? So I think the only way to really kind of get through it, I think, is to like indulge in the experience of being alive and just like go out and seek new opportunities and new, you know, moments and things to kind of find your personhood. And I think that none of us would have any creativity if we weren't living our lives and finding ways to be authentic and to express that via whatever medium we have. And I just think that's kind of the most important thing is in order to have a POV, you have to go out and live your life. And so I feel like my current point of view is very much changed and is changing. So whatever I do next, I feel like will be kind of like my puberty, like Olivia Rodrigo “Sour” album of like just being like boys suck;, like new life, new person. But I think I'm slowly starting to find things that I'm like really passionate about writing again. And I'm like, okay, like, she's in there. It's just kind of like, again, putting those building blocks of being like, I want to go outside and touch grass.”
K: I want to know how your trans experience and transitioning has transformed your perspective on music. How does your identity inform the story that you want to tell as a musician?
Matty: “I think it's so beautiful. I think this has been the best decision I've ever made, I think, in my life. Like it's so gratifying. Like I love being a girl. It's like, I think, I feel like I'm still so early in that I'm not even quite like a woman yet. I think that kind of takes a few more years and just like lots more experience. But I think it's really been like world changing. And it's just been so cool. I think like there's so many incredible trans artists that I look up to that, you know, are in music now that have been in music. You know, I think one of, her name is escaping me, but one of the earliest cases of a good trans musician was the woman who created the synthesizer and like popularized it. And back in like the late sixties I believe. And then you obviously have examples like Sophie and like more recently someone who I adore is Ethel Cain and I just think that I hope my position I think in this in this life is only just started to make sense and I think I'm going to leave a very big impact not only for the trans community, but kind of as a multi-disciplinary artist. And it's just been so wonderful. I mean, like I've watched myself really come into a brand new body and person this last year. And it's been like the coolest experience. I think I've ever had the privilege of having.”
K: “What was that divine universe calling telling you, Matty, go into music? What really pushed you to start singing and recording?
Matty: “It definitely was, you know, I've been doing this a long, long time. And I think it really started when I was a kid. I like, I've always been very like forthright and being like, this is who I am. This is what I want to do. And so it started off in like musical theater settings when I was like, a wee won like very teeny. And so I knew I loved to be on stage. I knew I loved to perform. And as I got into my like pre-teens and then into my early teens, I realized I was like, oh, well, like I actually have a really deep respect for classical music. And I really want to explore that. And I think I was just so invested in really learning a vocal technique. So I started to study like, you know, jazz and kind of a classical vocal stylings to kind of help me broaden my range. And like I had a vocal teacher, I feel like for many pivotal years that was like preteen into, you know, early teenage years. And then it led me into composition, which was basically like I was just so inspired by like orchestral, you know, music and kind of old school stylings like that. And I was like, okay, well, you know, that's really cool. And I think that was a lane that I thought I was gonna go into early on. But I, as I grew, and I was like, kind of came into my own, I was like, oh, wow, like pop music. I can like be a character essentially, and still talk about everything I wanna talk about, but do it in a way that's so much more theatrical and kind of encompassing rather than just like, sing this aria and then you're done. So for me, I think it was really an early on thing. And I just think that I've picked up a lot of different facets along the way. And so I started producing and like writing my own music probably around like 14, 15. And that was like, you know, bare bones just like jumping on either garage band and then eventually logic and I'm kind of being like, okay, what are my thoughts on this? And dance music played a really big part of that. I was like, you can make classical music, but with synthesizers, I was like, that's crazy. So I think it's kind of always been a little birdie in my ear and kind of being like, this is what I'm put on this earth to do. I can't do a lot, but what I can do, I'm like, excellent.”
K: With the upcoming release of M.W.U., what is the story behind the project and what can fans and listeners alike expect to hear theme-wise and musically?
Matty: “Theme-wise, it's, I think people are gonna be really surprised by this record at how in depth it is. It touches upon so many, I think, interpersonal feelings that I know we all share, between loneliness, isolation, self-contemplation, problem with self-image. So I think upon first listen, people really be like, "Oh wow, there's a lot more here than kind of what meets the eye”. And I'm really excited for that because I feel like I have never really put out a full project like this and it's kind of the first time I'm like here is a collection of thoughts and feelings that totally represents like the last two and a half years of my life. And also the process of me exploring my artistry and kind of trying to push myself to make things that are a little bit more daring and edgy and kind of cool. So it's a lot of that, but it's also definitely a dance record, like through and through. It's, there's so much like inspiration that I was drawing from just like music that I listened to daily and things that I was just like, okay, like, how do I make like my song "EPILLl" for example, when I was writing it, originally it was not intended for me. It was actually like originally a pitch song and some of these songs kind of started like that. They were like not my intention on releasing when I was like living in LA and I was like, okay, let's just like make things to try to give to other artists. But that song specifically, I was, you know, my friend who was producing, Akira, he was just kind of playing around. And I was like, this is so dark and scary. I was like, how do I make like a vampire nightclub song? Like I was like, what would that sound like? And so then we just, I started to like write little quips and little lines that felt really like dirty and fun and sexy and edgy. And then like, that's, it just came about so quickly. And I think there's a lot of spontaneity to this record. It's really exciting and it's kind of of the moment. And so yeah, I'm just, I'm excited for people to listen to the vulnerability as much as like the highs and like the adrenaline and the euphoria. 'Cause there is a loose story of just kind of, in my brain, it's like the, and the beginnings of a night out into the early mornings when you're just left alone to your own thoughts. And my personal favorite song in the album is "Sing Me to Sleep," which is the closing record. And it's like a five and a half minute kind of power ballad meets like electronic, euphoric dance record about feeling so alone, but then realizing that like you always have yourself to rely on. And I just-- it's so interesting. I like-- it's like easily like the most experimental song I've ever made. And I did it totally alone. So I'm just like, that's the one I'm like, I really feel like brings the whole album together.”
K: Are there going to be any visuals or like music videos planned to coincide with the project?
Matty: “I'm definitely in the process of working that out now. I would love to put out another visual. We have one for, we have like a visualizer for “EPILL”, which was like me in the woods in this like gothic kind of like dress. And then I have a music video for the single "Lacazette” we did. Which I again, very interesting too, because I shot that back last September. So it's essentially like a year since we did that. And that came at a time where I was still very fresh on my on estrogen and my transition. So I look so much different even from that standpoint to like where I am now. So it's like, I'm kind of just like, whoa, like so much has happened in a year. But we definitely are working on trying to do a visual for at least one more. I don't know which one, but I do have an idea. And yeah, this next project that we're I'm starting to put together is going to be like fully a visual record and a concept album. So I'm kind of like, okay, it's about to get super real.”
K: And will you be touring this project?
Matty: “I would love to. I mean, we're in talks with some people that I might be opening for on some tour dates. I think next spring. So I'm just really excited. I think this whole year has felt kind of like gearing up and putting like the building blocks in place. So I think by next year, we're really ready to pull the trigger. I have a show this weekend, which I'm very excited about. And yeah, I just want to like go out and f*ck it up and meet my fans. And it's I think also the first time I have a budding fan base, which is so cool. I've never really experienced that before, but to have people from all over the place kind of be like, oh my God, I listen to you every day. Oh my God, this is my favorite song. And it's like, this album has been the first that I'm getting a taste of that. So I'm like, it's just, it's very, very cool.”
K: I know I saw on Spotify, like that your top listeners are like from Sydney, Australia. Like I saw Melbourne, Australia too. So like, how does that feel? And do you have a name for your fan base? Like what's your army called?
Matty:I want to call them Martians. Cause I'm like, Matty and Martians. Like that makes so much sense. Feels very like that feels right. And it's just so cool. It's like, that's so validating. It's like, I've never even been overseas yet. And like, I had someone recently sent me a video of like my song being played in like a store in I think it was the UK or like a sub-sec of the UK. And I was just kind of like, that's just crazy. 'Cause it's very much just like, you do this, and then it comes out and you're like, it's no longer mine. It's kind of, you know, I don't even equate it to like myself half the time. I think it's a that's a way to like compartmentalize being like, okay, like onto the next thing. But I think when you sit with it and you're like, oh, wow, like I'm being perceived like all over the place is, it's just so cool and so amazing. And I just again like want to be a good positive influence and you know any fan's life and just kind of be someone who people can look up to as like a trailblazer in my own right in my own life.
K: So I saw on your website that you were on American Idol. So how was that experience and do you have any key takeaways from that experience?
Matty: “It was so interesting. It was something I never thought I would ever do. And it definitely was like kind of fell into my lap. So when I was living in LA, I was getting ready to move back to New York. I got a phone call one day. to my lap. So when I was living in LA, I was getting ready to move back to New York. I got a phone call one day and I pick it up and I go, Hi, usually I don't pick up spam calls. And he's like, "Hi, I'm looking for Matty." And I was like, "Speaking." And he was like, "Hi, my name's Peter Cohen and I'm one of the executive producers with American Idol. How are you?" And I was just like, ", what? I was like, I think you have the wrong number. And he was like, no, like, he's like, I found your, you know, some of your work online and just like, I've seen footage of you performing and I just, I think you'd be a great fit for the show. And I was like, okay. So, you know, one thing came to another. He invited me to audition for the executive producers. So I got to like skip a lot of the rounds 'cause I think there's several rounds of like auditioning and and I kind of got to go to the front of the line, which was kind of cool. And then I did that and didn't hear anything, moved back to New York and was like, okay, I guess it didn't happen. And then it literally within a few days, I got a call back and they were like, you have to come to LA like literally like next week. And I was like, okay. So I got on a plane and I flew back and yeah I auditioned for the judges and then was able to get through to the next round and then got eliminated after that. So it was very interesting very surreal kind of experience of how quick it was but it was so positive. I think my manager came with me at the time. We were like fresh, just signed together. And she was like, well, I don't have to worry about your PR training because you handled being on camera so well. And I'm like, OK, amazing. And it's so funny that none of it got aired, which is the silliest part. But I think just the memories of being seen as a singer and having this whole group of people being like Okay, you have to go over here for camera and you have to do these shots and it was very very very cool and very surreal And I'll definitely meet the judges. I think at an award show one day and I'll be like remember me.”
K: That’s crazy they really didn’t air it?
Matty: “No, none of it got aired. Which is the craziest part because we filmed so much. Like we were up at like 5am for like three days in a row and then the second round we had to be up at like 4 am and it's like full days of shooting. And it's just none of it. It's like me and so many others. Like people, so many people didn't get shown at all. And it's just, it's very interesting the way reality TV works and like the way that they can kind of skew your story or like what they need in order for their own plot line that they're kind of building. So I'm not offended by any of it. Honestly, I did not even really want to... It's not really a part of my brand. And so I think that it was just kind of like a fun thing to do. So I'm not mad that it got not shown.”
K: I haven't seen American Idol in ages. So is it still like the same way where it's like a bunch of people, you know, they have the little numbers on their chest? Is it still like that same format?
Matty: “What did we do? We didn't have that. So we, they had several rounds of audition. So it's like, if you got through to like audition for the judges and like be on the show, they had like a LA week, they had like Nashville week. So there was several pockets of groups of people that like had already gone through the audition process and gotten their gold cards. And I think we were like the last group because it was kind of a fast turnaround where they were like, okay, we need to get this done. And we shot at this ranch in LA that was in Northern LA, so it was kind of like a desert. So in the morning, it was freezing. And then at night, it was like, or like midday, it was like so, so hot, then it would get freezing again. And so it wasn't really like that, but we had, I think there was like 45 or 50 of us. And like slowly but steadily, we like went through the motions and kind of you know went through everybody. So it was more personal I guess because I remember back in the day it was like you wait outside of this like you know they're in this like big like conference. It wasn't like that it was it was a lot more like I think a little bit bougier it was nice we were actually in Agora Hills where we were staying. So I was like, the Doja Cat song actually. And after being there, I was like, I get it. Like, and so yeah, it was a lot more like personal and kind of the ranch was so beautiful. It was like this very like Midwest kind of vibe in the middle of the desert”
K:I know a lot of musicians don't just stay in music and they get into modeling and acting, etc. Do you kind of see that for yourself in your career? Is there anything that you want to branch outward to?
Matty: “I think so I think eventually I feel like it's, it only makes sense. I mean, music that I think the thing in order to be successful and that you have to like love it and like ferociously attack it kind of over and over again until, you know, something clicks for you. And I think that I always want to be in music, but I think the avenues in which that I want to create music probably will change the older I get. You know, I'm interested in composing for film, I'm interested in, you know, I grew up acting. And so I'm sure there will be a lot of different avenues I take throughout my creative career, but a big thing for me is I'm really just interested in building my brand and like building kind of like a, I don't know, just empire. I feel like that's so like whatever, but I really do want to build a means for myself to be able to profit off of everything that I've put into it more than just like music because it's very much, there's such a fast turnover rate of like, you know, artists making music and then, you know, you're hot one day, you're off the next. So, the older I get, I think that's always been the back of my mind of being able to create like a whole presence. And then eventually I would love to help other creatives and like, you know, I would love to be in a position where I have money and, you know, status to be able to put on new artists that are queer or trans or People that I just think are incredible that no one else is gonna give them a shot. So I want to give them a shot, but yeah, I think my talents are are ever vast. So I feel like that's always the possibility But I want to sell out Madison Square Garden before any of that sh*t.”
K: So for these last couple questions, I'm going to call this like the rapid fire dream questions. I just want to know your dreams. So, dream featured artists?
Matty: “Dream featured artists, honestly, it has to either be CharliXCX or SZA. Those are my two as of the last like 10 years. I'm like And like, those were my two, like, as of the last, like, 10 years. I'm like, I think those were my two girls.”
K: Dream performance venue?
Matty: “Madison Square Garden.”
K: Dream recording location?
Matty: “Oh my God, I would love to do something in Malibu by the beach and like be able to like just have some time to like, zen out or maybe like Italy, maybe like off the coastline of Italy.”
K: Dream brand collaboration?
Matty: “I was actually just thinking about this the other day. I feel like I would love to do like Yves Saint Laurent or like Chanel because I feel I love like, I'm very like into the simplest, like minimalist kind of like little accessories here and there, cute pair of heels, got the Vivian Westwood on and just kind of keep it very chic.”
K: Dream film co-star?
Matty: “Only, 'cause I have a huge crush on him. I feel like so many others. Jacob Alordi. Like what? You think, no, literally. I'm like, beautiful. Like, oh! I didn't even actually, I just saw this movie that my friend, maybe watched "The Kissing Booth," never seen it.I didn't know about it. And I was movie that my friend maybe watched "The Kissing Booth." Never seen it, I didn't even know about it. And I was like, he was like a baby in that.”
K: So that's about all of the questions that I have. Is there anything else that you wanna say about the release of “M.W.U”?
Matty: “No, just that this is the beginning and world domination is right around the corner.”
Written and Interviewed by K Pereira
Photography by Carina Allen @rlyblonde