Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Kelly.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started playing guitar at nine years old. Over time, it was a passive thing for me, I liked it, went to “rock camp” with friends, but never took it too seriously. In high school, things began to change. I feel like every artist has their “a-ha moment”, and for me, that was two things. Listening to Jimi Hendrix, and a couple of years later hearing John Mayer’s “Live in LA” in 2008.
From this point on, that was it. All other hobbies and priorities fell by the waist side and I focused on learning blues guitar. I had finished high school with passing grades, an expert ability to play “Live in LA” front to back, but insufficient grades to get into college – my parents didn’t like this (after all, I spent ~25 hours a week playing guitar and didn’t care for much else). Because of my obsessive guitar addiction, I ended up going back to high school and got into College later.
When I got to college, I wanted to start singing and writing songs, because there must be more to music than ear piercing, hair banging solos right? Singing and writing – I didn’t know how to do either, so I just started. The first few songs I wrote were done while mindlessly watching the office. I started listening back and finding what I liked and didn’t like.
I was a bank teller when I met who would later become my manager. He was a customer, and we began chatting. I later reached out and asked if he would work with me – He listened to some clips, some unfinished songs and said that he would. First thing I did was see a vocal coach after that and everything changed.
From here, before I knew it – I was in writing, recording, and working with producers who had been involved with TV shows and multi-platinum accolades.
The Journey is a long one as a musician, but the constant evolution of the sound, brand and message is more exciting than anything.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not – you meet all walks of life in this business and trying to navigate that can be very difficult. You need to be resilient.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I am a singer/songwriter, guitar player and recording artist.
What I’m most proud of is seeing these creations come to life in the studio and working with the people who are so important in making that happen.
Success is really when talent and work ethic come together, and I am just trying to blend whatever talent I have with a dedicated work ethic. I don’t have a wide vocal range to play with, so I try to utilize lead guitar to really add an additional voice to my music.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Plan more – I kind of dove in headfirst. Eager and blind.
I would have taken a step back and really planned the approach for every move.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mattkellyofficial.com/
- Phone: 9055504942
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Mattkellyofficial
- Other: Mattkellymusic Spotify: Matt Kelly, Circles
Image Credit:
Instagram: sarareidphotography
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