‘Psych-Folktronica’ Artist Matt of Matts Names His Top 10 Favorite Matts as ‘Strange Hymns’ Debut Release Nears
“The haughtiest Matt is still more humble than, say, the average Kyle.”
-Matt of Matts
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Matt of Matts is, despite the plural syntax of its name, a solo project by a brilliantly self-described “psych-folktronica” artist from Dallas who chooses not to use his surname, at least not in the context of his art. Adding to the musician’s fascinating background, his father was an evangelical exorcist – so it’s no wonder that his first full-length, Strange Hymns, is an exercise of sorts in processing an upbringing soaked in apocalyptic doom. The record drops Friday.
Somber, moody and downbeat – but reflective, most of all – the synth-heavy record frames the musician’s vocals in a hauntingly beautiful manner from which he cannot escape baring his soul at every moment. Take a listen for yourself:
As a way to reflect Matt of Matts’ outsider approach to making art, we forwent a traditional interview and instead sought a more diagonal approach to learning more about the artist: by asking him to list his top 10 favorite Matts. If this take on discussing art floats your boat, you’re on the right website; if not, you probably aren’t.
Below is how Matt of Matts responded to our request for the list.
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We Matts are an unassuming bunch by birth. Compared to the other three gospel-inspired names, Matts are wildly underrepresented among main characters in all media. (Though, to be clear, Matthews are a whole other breed and excluded from consideration here.)
“Matt of Matts” may strike some as a self-aggrandizing title. Far from it. Any Matt can tell you that it carries the same energy as The Extra With the Most Screen Time. The First Runner Up. The Spiciest Bell Pepper. Perhaps I am the least humble of all Matts. Even so, the haughtiest Matt is still more humble than, say, the average Kyle.
Before we get to my list of the top 10 Matts, some notable exclusions, along with my reasons for leaving them off:
Matt Reeves, The Batman. Matt Reeves is a director. This level of visibility is frowned upon in Matt culture. Best boy grip? You’re in. Assistant director? Great. Director? Not a true Matt. I’m aware of the tension this causes for myself, but as long as I’m playing under 1,000-seat venues, I should skate clear of a violation.
Matt Groening – one of (alas) several Matts to fly on the so-called “Lolita Express.” No accusations of wrongdoing toward this particular Matt, granted, but flying private at all is itself conduct unbecoming of a Matt.
Matt Duffer of Stranger Things. Omitted because of season five. Even a Matt must stick the landing.
And now, the list:
10. Matt Foley. Chris Farley’s motivational speaker character (written by Bob Odenkirk, no less). The mediocrity of both his delusion and his grandiosity make him a true Matt.
9. Matt Stone. Co-creator of South Park and The Book of Mormon. For self-evident reasons, Matts are more likely to succeed as part of a duo.
8. Uncle Traveling Matt. From Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock, the quasi-psychedelic children’s show about underworld gnomes, Uncle Traveling Matt was a lone explorer/documentarian who sent postcards home chronicling his journeys through the overworld and his study of its inhabitants, whom he called “The Silly Creatures.” A confused psychopomp belonging to neither world, he was in many ways the archetypal Matt.
7. Matt Damon. The apex of fame for a Matt. A true aberration. Further study needed.
6. Matt Berninger. Frontman for the National, fellow baritone. Escapes sanctions from the Tribunal of Matts by affecting a generalized air of rue at his own success.
5. Matt from Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter. [A character from] an impossible-to-find ‘80s live-action children’s film from Sweden. Matt is the implied father/robber in the title. Ranked highly because, like me, he is a better father than he is a robber.
4. Matt Smith, the eleventh doctor. While not the best Doctor Who of all time, a still-admirable interpretation of the character, and he stewarded the series-best companions. A very Matt-like posture to strike.
2. (Tie) Ma’at. Egyptian goddess of harmony, daughter of the sun god Ra, generator of balance for all the cosmos. Mot. Canaanite god of the underworld and death. He kills his brother, the storm god Ba’al, before Ba’al’s triumphant rebirth. Mot plays the villain to let the hero shine. Classic. (Tie because choosing between ancient gods seems unwise.)
1. Matt Berry, obviously.
Pre-order a copy of Strange Hymns and learn more about Matt of Matts on his Bandcamp page.
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