An Interview with Matt Jennings on 6/18/08

By: David Rachac

Singer/songwriter Matt Jennings sings both in Spanish and English on his new CD Todavia. In this interview, Jennings talks about how he arrived in Minnesota, how living abroad impacted his musical vision and his CD release party at the 400 Bar on June 21.

How Was The Show: When did your interest in music and performing begin?

Matt Jennings: When I somehow got the cassette for the soundtrack of Rocky IV—powerful songs about kicking ass and surmounting obstacles through perseverance and spirit. I also loved the Peter Cetera song "The Glory of Love" from the Karate Kid soundtrack. I got to music through cinema, action movies. Then, of course, I was obsessed with all the lead guitarists and riff masters in the ‘80s, especially Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch, Slash, C.C. Deville, James Hetfield, etc. That's what I wanted to be. So I began learning guitar in earnest through both classical lessons and tablature from Guitar Player magazine.

My brother and I started writing songs together when we were little kids. I'd write the riffs and he'd write the lyrics, and we'd make albums together and promote them to our parents. Then, my first show, I was playing lead guitar with my brother's band at an eighth-grade dance when I was in fifth grade. I remember getting tripped out by the smoke machine and almost falling off the stage.

HWTS: You are originally from Pittsburgh. How did you wind up in the Twin Cities and why have you decided to make it your home base?

MJ: I moved here for my senior year in high school because my Dad lived here, and my brother said I should come because the music scene was great. At the time, I was a HUGE Replacements fan, so I came here to play in my brother's band. I played bass and then drums with him for a few years. Then I ended up going to the University of Minnesota, and have stayed in Minnesota because it's a really nice place.

HWTS: How are the dynamics different working with a sibling compared to working with other musicians?

MJ: The main difference is the telekinetic communication that siblings have. We could follow each other's almost imperceptible signals. So it's almost like having yourself on two instruments, but not really.

HWTS: You spent several years studying and teaching abroad. How did this affect your musical palette?

MJ: The first time I rode la ruta (a small city bus) in Cuernavaca, Mexico, there was a guy singing and playing guitar in the back, singing beautiful, mournful songs at full volume. That blew my mind. Seeing the mariachis practicing on the street WAY out of tune. Music was so integral to everyday life, in a way that I've never seen here. No one makes fun of you when you dance there—and everyone dances.

Our study-abroad program sent us to live in a smaller country town for one week. At the school, a man named Nacho gave the students guitar lessons. He taught us how to play melody, harmony and bass lines simultaneously, Mexican style. This one melody line he played opened up all of the doors for me—it separated my mind. That was the embryo of the guitar style I have since developed.

And later, when I lived in China, I had a lot of free time, so I bought a $20 guitar and played constantly. Variations on songs, where I'd improvise on chord progression and melodies, jazz really. The freedom was the important part for me in China, and developing a respect for karaoke. Replication is the art there. We used to play at coffee shops and bars, and surprisingly, the Chinese people liked my Spanish songs.

Matt Jennings

HWTS: Talk about the writing process for the songs that appear on your new CD, Todavia.

MJ: Five of the songs were written in 2001: “Todavia,” “Dame Tus Besos,” “Slow-Motion,” “The Way That I Have Loved You” and “I'm Floating.” The other five are newer. “Dame Tus Besos” was the first Spanish song I ever wrote. It was originally in English, then I tried it in Spanish and it sounded much better. So I just started writing in Spanish more and more. “Slow-Motion” was about a dream I had where I was on a medieval battlefield. “I'm Floating” was taken almost word for word from a comment this Japanese lady made to a friend of mine about her first impression of me: "Matt seems like he's floating. He knows how to swim, but he's floating for some reason."

I just get an idea and write the song. The key is that it has to be memorable. I don't write lyrics down or anything. I just sing it over and over. We live in a time when hooks have to be under five seconds. So this is something that we have to be aware of as songwriters if we want to get people's attention.

HWTS: How does Todavia differ from your previous CD, Two Become One?

MJ: First of all, it's half in Spanish while Two Become One is entirely in English. Two Become One was more music-based, with more riffage on the guitar. And it was more low-key, rhythmically. Todavia has more upbeat tempos, and is more singing-based. People like songs they can sing along to. My friend Joe January and I were talking about what makes a hit. He was saying that if you can see it being a karaoke-able song, then it has hit potential. Can people karaoke your songs?

HWTS: What song on Todavia really defines what you wanted to accomplish with this recording?

MJ: It's almost like three albums—a Spanish one, a Spanish style with English lyrics, and the singer-songwriter songs. So, each one of the songs on the album accomplishes one of those goals.

HWTS: You spent much of the spring touring with The Beautiful Girls. How did it go?

MJ: It was rad. Those guys are such great dudes to be around, and musically, they are wicked. I always looked forward to their set every show. I can't image having a better band to tour with. Also, playing those venues was amazing—The Bluebird in Denver, Sullivan Hall in NYC, El Mocambo in Toronto, Stubbs BBQ in Austin, Malibu Inn in Malibu. I will be forever grateful to those guys for giving me that opportunity and opening those doors for me.

HWTS: Your CD release party is at the 400 Bar on June 21. What all are we going to see?

MJ: Joe January on bass, Angie Kilcher on drums, Matt Jennings on axe & vox!

HWTS: Are there any final comments you want to leave with?

MJ: Come down early to the 400 Bar on June 21 to check out one of my favorite artists in the world, Beau Kinstler, and then the amazing and much talked-about Ben Kyle of Romantica.

Artist Info: Matt Jennings

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