Pop-Culturalist.com

There are plenty of reasons why we’re loving Matthew Chaim. The singer-songwriter is an emotional storyteller who wears his heart on his sleeve, creating raw and honest lyrics that resonate with any listener. He’s captivated audiences around the world with his genre-bending sound. His debut single, “Vanilla Ways,” went viral on Spotify, and he’s continued that success with his newest release, “Reason.” Pop Culturalist caught up with Matthew to chat about his career.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Matthew: I started playing the drums in my teens and fell deeply in love with the instrument. At the time, I was sure I’d be a touring drummer for the rest of my days. But my work ethic at that age wasn’t quite what it needed to be, so I eventually put the Vic Firth’s down and sought out other interests. It wasn’t until at least four or five years later that I started writing songs.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Matthew: That’s tough to say. There has probably been 40,768 influences on my career—in the form of people, music, ideas, etc. Growing up listening to Coldplay was definitely a big one for me. And later Drake became the main source of inspiration. (Love me some “Take a Shot for Me”—hugely underrated tune.) More recently, Bon Iver has taken on that coveted spot of my absolute favorite artist of all time.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Reason.” What inspired the track?
Matthew: I wrote “Reason” with Rabitt on a day that I wasn’t feeling too hot. Perhaps I wasn’t on my A-game for a few days: smoking a little too much weed, not getting enough sleep, eating a few too many non-vegetables, not getting enough exercise in. So it got me writing about what it means to say “yes” to our bad habits and what it takes to say “no.” And while self-will and discipline can be helpful, often it is those who love us that offer us the strength and support to be…better. And so I wrote a song about it.

PC: You’re releasing your sophomore EP this fall. What can you tease about it?
Matthew: It’s called The Mathematics of Nature. [laughs]

PC: How does it differentiate itself from Homemade?
Matthew: It feels completely different to me in every which way. The intersection of their Venn diagrams would be microscopically small. It might be easier/shorter for me to answer what is the same about the two projects rather than what is different about them. They are both being released under Matthew Chaim. I sing on both of them. That’s about it.

PC: If you had to pick one song off the new EP that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Matthew: I would say it is the final song, “Winter/Fall.” It feels like the most introspective song, the most true. It will also be the longest song I’ll have ever released, so mathematically speaking it would have to qualify as the most encompassing of me.

PC: Besides your EP, what does the rest of the year hold for you as we look ahead to the end of 2019 into 2020?
Matthew: I’m really excited with the live show I’ve been putting together for all this music. We’ve got a bunch of shows coming up this fall, and plenty more to come in the new year.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Matthew: Aphex Twin

PC: First album you bought?
Matthew: Millennium—Backstreet Boys

PC: First concert you attended?
Matthew: I can’t remember—maybe a Coldplay one.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Matthew: Nirvana’s greatest hits album. My cousin gave it to me and I had no idea that music could sound like that.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Matthew: The Wiltern in L.A. Red Rocks in Colorado. Osheaga Main Stage in Montreal.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Matthew: A camera

To keep up with Matthew, following him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream “Reason” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or Spotify.