Daily Inspiration: Meet Matthew Saunders

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Saunders.

Hi Matthew, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been playing guitar since I was eight years old, and ever since I gained enough proficiency on the instrument to play the music I loved, I was completely hooked. Then I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to work somewhat professionally at a young age, playing in my father’s blues band during my teenage years. This was in the Bay Area in the last gasp of it being an actual cool music scene; dying yes, but at its core still were the values and musical attitudes of the 1960’s, conserved by the many disgruntled musicians I got to share the bandstand with.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Taking that upbringing and translating to an actual music career in a giant high pressure beehive like Los Angeles was a whole other journey, and something that did not come easily or quickly to me. This town is a tough place to stand out and get recognition. But I counted it up at the end of this year and in 2025 I played in twenty five different bands/musical projects, said yes to everything, showed up as best as I could be, and all of it comes together to give me a lifestyle where I get to play music all the time and not worry about much else.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my younger years I was more of a blues rock player a la SRV or Hendrix, but ever since the Country music has become popular particularly in LA of all places I’ve transitioned into more of a Country player. Playing long sets in front of a live audience forces you to commit emotionally, remember mistakes more vividly, and a lot of those kind of long bar gigs available these days fall in the Country medium. The music is important with a deep deep history and sense of tradition behind it, and the local LA community of musicians, promotors, and audience members work hard and do well to honor that in our own unique way.

What matters most to you? Why?
Keeping live music alive and well.

Pricing:

• Recording Sessions: $100/song
• Gigs: $200
• Guitar Lessons: $60/hr

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattsaunders_music/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiOee3YCNis&list=RDPiOee3YCNis&start_radio=1

Image Credits
@Madi Stein