Exclusive Interview: Andrew Matarazzo Shares the Inspiration Behind His New Single “Different Pages”

There’s no limit to what Andrew Matarazzo can do. The actor, singer-songwriter, and author continues to write new chapters in the story of his life.

His newest single, “Different Pages,” is the latest addition to his growing body of work.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of catching up with Andrew ahead of the song’s release to learn about the inspiration behind the track, his creative process, and what it was like collaborating with Alex Aiono.

PC: Tell us about “Different Pages” and the inspiration behind the song.
Andrew: I saw a quote that said, “From friends to lovers to nothing but complete strangers who were once very much in love with one another.” That was the essence of the track. But there are a few different meanings behind the song. There’s the idea of being on different pages. Sometimes you meet people at the wrong time and you can’t sync up. It’s also about turning a new page on a certain part of your life.

PC: Your last single, “New York,” was a song about heartbreak. “Different Pages” has a similar theme. Was that intentional to have them released back-to-back?

Andrew: I write from whatever feelings are at the forefront of what I’m going through at the moment, so I don’t plan out whether songs are going to have related themes, but I did feel it was important for me to close certain chapters before I could focus on others. I’ve only known two loves in my life, and both these tracks bring those unfinished emotions to a close for me.

PC: The visual for “Different Pages” is striking. What was the intention behind the burning book?
Andrew: There’s a line in the song that alludes to the idea of not just ending a chapter but starting a new book entirely. I often start with a title or image when I start writing a song. That image of a burning book came to my mind right away. It captured how I felt about the situation, but it also fits so well with the title I had in mind.

PC: You wrote the song with Alex Aiono. How did that collaboration go and come about?
Andrew: I had checked out Alex’s YouTube channel a long time ago and loved his work so much. I reached out to him and we vibed over music. I had these floating lyrics for “Different Pages,” and I knew his writing style would really complement the theme of the song. I was so happy when I asked if he’d do the song with me and he agreed. He really pushed me in the studio to tap into the heavy emotions that I was holding back. We actually redid the song from scratch because he knew I had held back in our first session.

PC: Not only did your song drop today, but you have a new short film you starred in, Alalia. Tell us about it.
Andrew: It’s a beautiful, poetic piece by Savannah Abrishamchian. I read the poem ages ago and told her I was a fan of hers and of the poem itself. When she began production on the short film, she reached out to me. I was in love with the visuals and the abstract world she created. It’s eerie and heartbreaking but beautiful at the same time.

To keep up with Andrew, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Pick up or stream “Different Pages” today.

Photo Credit: Anthony Deeying