Life & Work with Matt Cruz of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Cruz

Hi Matt, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My relationship with music has been with me all my life. I grew up in a musical and supportive family, with my dad teaching me how to play guitar at the age of 10. I was always encouraged to cultivate my music, and played for hours a day throughout high school. I would come home, lock myself in my room, and play until dinnertime. After a quick meal, it was back to it, like I was obsessed.

I became a guitar teacher with a music school, teaching children and adults about music theory and guitar playing. Eventually, at the age of 20, I became signed to an all original band, and my dream with music took a huge step. Unfortunately, life happens, and I stepped away from music for a few years to finish college. After graduating from UCLA with a BA in Linguistics, I eventually found my way back to the music scene. Now, I am immersed in a local LA music scene that is as supportive as they are talented. I am currently endorsed by Tagima Guitars and DR Strings, and am officially on Spotify and Apple Music with my original rock band, Hold Your Fire.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Music has been anything but a smooth road. Sometimes, I will blink and realize all of the little achievements I have made along the way, but a closer look really reveals that this route that I took was one of learning, strain, self-reflect, and strength.

In anything worth doing, I feel there will be a moment where you have to stand up and challenge yourself. You have to be your first supporter, but also your harshest critic. You have to believe in yourself, but also identify your weaknesses and adjust your mistakes.

The biggest struggle I had was finding that balance. How could I support myself, but constantly check myself? It was a delicate system that led to a negative impact on my attitude towards music. It took me some time to step back, breathe, and reevaluate why I am playing.

Though it is a fluid situation, I have found that balance, making sure that music is a positive factor in my life.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am musician, guitarist, and songwriter. I have a specific style of playing and writing that honestly isn’t anything new. I gravitate towards what I like, cultivate it, and the outcome is something I am very happy with.

My musicality shines through my original songwriting, as well as my take on existing songs. With my band, Hold Your Fire, our collaborative efforts quickly created this signature sound, filled with raw guitar tone, expressive movement, and a groove that the band can live in all day. I am proud of that sound, proud of our contributions, and proud of the style that we have found.

Honestly, I don’t think I am set apart from anyone else. I am part of a community that I want to see succeed, and in turn, I get a lot of support to ensure that I succeed as well. With a community, I feel like I am part of a cohesive family, and being set apart is something I don’t really go for.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The easiest answer is to surround yourself with others better than you. If you find yourself in a situation where you are always the senior, the teacher, the one with the answers, you often end up not challenging yourself or growing. I constantly find ways to surround myself with musicians who are miles ahead of me, and something as simple as learning a riff they play, to something as big as sitting down with them and learning their nuances and theory is growth in my eyes.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/matt.plays.the.guitar
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@matt.plays.the.guitar
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/463sG7yR8KsFKvaULZgGz4?si=uenTW0ikQiuX7rnGfxw4yg

Image Credits
All Photo Credit: Don Marcelo