“I played “Tres Hombres” by ZZ Top until the grooves were gone on it” – Interview with Matney

Southern-rock-inspired band Matney will release a new album later this month; Matney shares in this interview insights into the creative process, the inspiration behind their music, and the unique journey that led to the creation of this mesmerizing collection of songs. Read below what we talked about!

Hello Michael, welcome to Chaoszine, how are you doing at the moment?

Michael Matney: I’m doing well. Certainly appreciate you having me on. Thank you. 

Awesome. This month you’re about to release a new album, “The Red Neck And The Red Man”. How would you describe the evolution of your sound in this album, rather than previous albums you’ve worked on?

Michael Matney: Well, working with Stevie and working at the Assembly Line Studios, I’ve never really worked in a studio of that quality before. I’ve never really worked with a producer before. So Stevie sort of had in mind a sound that he wanted when we first started planning this thing out. I had to just let go and let Stevie take over. It was great because he’s such a pro and he’s been at it for so long, so many gold records for so many big-name artists. And it was just a pleasure to watch him work. That was really different for me.

It certainly sounds amazing. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing the album and it’s absolutely wonderful. So you’ve really done an amazing work. I think that the songs on the album would work perfectly in a live show setting. Is there any tour or perhaps some shows you are planning to promote the record? 

Michael Matney: You know, we’re just now starting to look at that. We’ve been so involved with getting the music out there and getting it to the people with the release coming up and everything, I’m right now starting to work with some promoters. So, yeah, we really want to come to your first thing. That is the plan. I can’t give you any specific dates yet, I’m sorry, I wish I could. But, we’re working toward that. 

Can you tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind the artwork of the album? Because I really found it very unique and interesting.

Michael Matney: Well okay, it’s the name, I guess it all started with the name Stevie came up for the album. We’ve added some different things back and forth and he kind of threw that at me one night and so it stuck. Then there’s a guy, Steven Cobb, that did the artwork, he was the artist for the last label I was on Heaven And Hell and he’s got a lot of great work, but yes back to the name, we wanted to show the metal side of it.

What is the best compliment you’ve received as an artist?

Michael Matney: Oh geez. I mean, I don’t know. For me, it never has really been about the money, per se. It’s always been about that pat on the back. I like it when you come off stage and somebody says “Hey, that was great”. Or “Well done”. Or just like you paid me a compliment earlier about the album and for me, that’s cool. I mean, I like that. I kind of look at myself as an artist and if somebody likes your work, I mean, that’s why you do it. So anytime anybody pays me says a kind word for me, I appreciate it. 

As we live in the 21st century, technology is affecting our lives more and more each day. Do you think that music and art in general will keep up the pace of this? 

Michael Matney: Yeah, I mean I haven’t thought about the AI. I think I’ve dabbled with it a little bit. But I mean, the fact that me and you can sit here and talk like this about my music that you’ve heard, that’s really great. I mean I’m glad the technology is there. As far as the AI thing, I don’t see that really affected this genre right now for a while. People always want to go to a live show and have that energy and have the guys on stage. I don’t think you’re ever going to replace that. 

Who is the messiest person in the band? 

Michael Matney: Oh, Lord, well, you got, you got four guys there. So I’ll take this on. I’m a very messy person. My wife accuses me of that all the time. I’m constantly leaving clothes on the floor and whatnot. So, yeah, that’d be me. 

I wanted to play a little game with you if that’s all right. What kind of fictional characters do you identify with from movies, TV shows, cartoons, anime? 

Michael Matney: I’ve never been asked that before. I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say. I’m probably more like the Hobbit, I guess. I’ve got big feet. I was thinking that they’re kind of goofy characters, so yeah. 

Is there a record that you consider to be the closest to perfection?

Michael Matney: One album that I bought growing up was “Tres Hombres” by ZZ Top. And I mean, I played that one until the grooves were gone in it. So that album was great I mean, especially in the style of music that I find myself in now, what we’re doing.

Michael, thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me. It was a pleasure meeting and talking to you. Is there anything else you want to add to our readers?

Michael Matney: Tell everybody I said hi. Please come and visit us on our socials and please pre-save the album, and download the album. I appreciate the interview. Thank you for taking your time doing it.