Q: “It’s Alright” is about being able to grow old with someone you love. Can you walk me through your writing process on this beautiful song? Did someone specific inspire you to write this?
Matt Saxton: Thanks for your kind words about the song! I wrote It’s Alright around the time my Mother’s partner Peter was nearing the end of his life suffering from Parkinson’s disease. I watched the devotion my Mother showed looking after him. The song is also about my own wife and the love I feel towards her as we move through the years together. At the time of writing the song I was also putting together and performing a concert about the writer Graham Greene for the International Graham Greene Festival. One of his quotes I came across was the following: “In the end there is no desire so deep as the simple desire for companionship.”
Q: The instrumental on “It’s Alright” is so compelling and melancholic at the same time, going flawlessly along with the meaning of it. What did you enjoy most about making this track?
Matt: Although I initially wrote the song on the acoustic guitar, I realised that the piano worked better to get the emotion across, and it also gave me a chance to play a very simple piano solo! I like the song’s simple instrumentation and how it lets the vocal carry it along.
Q: If you could collaborate with any musician, who would it be?
Matt: Great question! From the oldies, still alive, it would be Neil Young and Pete Townshend from The Who. A bit younger one would be Damon Albarn.
Q: What has been one of the highlights of your music career so far?
Matt: It was great to have my acoustic guitar song Seabird featured on the 2014 Holiday Google Doodle because the exposure was pretty big, and it got on Spotify’s Discover Weekly.
Q: Your vocals are truly mesmerizing; I can hear both the pain and happiness in your voice, which is something special in today’s music. Do you remember what first got you into the music world?
Matt: Thanks! Although I first learnt to play the clarinet as a kid, it was the drums that I first fell in love with. I spent many years in bands as a drummer. I then fell in love with the guitar and piano and started writing my own songs. It has taken many years though for me to feel comfortable singing, but hopefully I am getting there slowly.
Q: In your own words, how would you describe the music that you typically create?
Matt: I suppose it would fall into the acoustic indie folk/rock genre with a dose of melancholy.
Q: What would you like to tell your supporters out there?
Matt: Thanks for listening, it is very much appreciated!
Q: “It’s Alright” is the fourth single off your upcoming album. What can you tell me about the new album?
Matt: The new album will be released over the Summer. I think the last four singles are a good representation for what to expect from the other songs featured on it. I loved writing and recording the album even though some of the songs took me to a dark place. Hopefully, it was worth it!
Interviewed by Melissa Cusano
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