Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Matt LeGrand

Matt LeGrand is a gifted lyricist who’s telling emotionally rich stories through music. This year, he dropped two infectious singles that have music fans yearning for more: “12 A.M.” and “All Good”. Pop Culturalist spoke with this fast-rising star about his upcoming EP, the biggest lessons he’s learned being in this industry, and when we can expect him on the road.

PC: You fell in love with music after attending a Rolling Stones concert. What did you experience in that moment that made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Matt: I was eleven-years-old when I fell in love with the idea of being able to tell a story on a massive, massive platform. It’s something that Mick Jagger does really well. Being able to tell that story and connect with an audience is what any great band strives for; they definitely got through to me and inspired me to start my own musical career. It was the storytelling that drew me in, so that’s what I bring to my music every single day when writing my own songs—that, and the feeling of bringing something to life.


PC: You were in a rock band in high school. What did you take away from that experience?
Matt: Yeah, the rock band is where it all kind of started. I was a guitarist at first and then the singer actually quit, so I took over that position. I never really chose to start singing; it chose me and I fell in love with it. That’s when I started to write my own music. It’s because of that band that I got into singing.


PC: In college, you made a decision to major in marketing communications instead of music. Can you walk us through that decision and how challenging it was for you?
Matt: Through all of high school, I had a rebellious mentality. I’d listen to hard rock, punk, and heavy metal, and my mind was pretty closed off. Then, when I went to college, I brought that same mentality. I didn’t really have an interest in anything but music, but I was too afraid to admit to myself that I wanted to actually study music and go for it. I ended majoring in something that was completely random. I don’t regret the decision, though, because I’ve gotten to where I am today because of the decisions that I’ve made. I’m in a great place. I actually can’t wait to go back to school and start learning, because now I’ve really found myself and have a better understanding of what I want to do.

PC: You dropped a brand new single, “12 A.M.”. What was the inspiration behind the track and the process?
Matt: I’m so excited it’s finally out! The song is about missing someone that’s close to you. I got to collaborate with a great team in Atlanta—I flew down there to do it and I’m really happy that I get to tell the story.

The creative process is different for every song. Sometimes, I have complete control over the entire process: I’m the sole creator. Other times, it’s a collaboration between multiple writers and producers. Then, there are times when I don’t even have anything to do with the creative process, and I’m just the one that gets to tell the story. In this specific situation, I was the one picked to tell the story and it was tailor-made for me to tell it.

It only took about three hours to write and record it, which is pretty darn quick. I’ve never been part of a process that fast. “12 A.M.” is symbolic for something that makes you feel euphoric or an exhilaration that takes over your whole being.

PC: The music video for it just came out and it fits the song perfectly. Can you walk us through the creative process for the music video?
Matt: We wanted to show a sort of cult that comes alive when the clock hits 12 A.M. We shot the music video in Miami with a great production crew that had done my last video, “All Good”. They really hit the nail right on the head with creating this cult that comes alive. The dancers were fantastic. That was also probably the best choreographer I’ve worked with up to now, and she really helped me bring out what I needed to for the video. There was a ton to shoot, but it took just one day.

Also, it was really cool to be on that stage—we wanted the video to feel like a live performance, so we used a real stage. When we got to the club we were filming at, it was open to the public and there was a band playing. I actually got up and sang a couple of songs with them. It was a really, really fun day.

PC: You have a few singles out right now, “12 A.M.” and “All Good.” Can we expect a larger body of work soon?
Matt: Oh, absolutely. Yes. I’m going to release a couple more singles before an EP, but yes. The next big thing is definitely an EP/album with five to six songs. We’re looking at the next couple months or maybe the top of next year. We’re planning tons of performances as well, so that’s what we’re working towards.


PC: What would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry?
Matt: There are two big lessons that I’ve learned: keep your mouth shut when it needs to be shut [laughs] and be patient or you’ll end up just being one yourself. Those two lessons have brought me a long way to the part of myself where I can find the patience and take my time to develop what I’m trying to show to the world. You only get one first impression, and that can make or break you.


PC: As you look at 2019 and the rest of your career, are there any major goals or milestones that you would love to accomplish?
Matt: Absolutely! There’s so much that I want to accomplish. The first is getting this EP or album out. With the EP, I want to spread this message of diversity and stepping into unknown territories because that’s what I’ve had to do the past couple of years. It’ll have acoustic, pop, dance, urban, which are all new territories for me, having come from a pop, punk, hard rock background. I’ve had to completely open up my mind. My number one focus is getting this EP out there, but I’m also thinking about touring! I want to perform so badly. I can’t wait to get out there and see the people who have supported my vision for the past three/four years.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: First album you bought?
Matt: Green Day’s American Idiot

PC: A venue that’s on your bucket list to perform at?
Matt: The Red Rock Amphitheater

PC: Someone you’d love to collaborate with in the future?
Matt: Ed Sheeran

PC: Instrument you’d like to learn to play?
Matt: Cello

PC: An album that changed your life?
Matt: Blink-182’s self-titled album! It’s the album that fully, fully, inspired me to chase my dreams.

Make sure to follow Matt on Twitter and Instagram, and pick up “12:00 A.M.” on iTunes or Amazon.