Murder FM Interview with Norman Matthew singer for the rock band Murder FM.
Murder FM Interview
– What’s new in the life of Murder FM?
Norman Matthew: We just released our new full length “Happily Never After” on 8/7/15 on Famous Records Global/ Pavement/ MRI/ Son Red. The reviews have been amazing and the cult following we have has really set it off! It didn’t feel real until we hit the road, kicking off 8/8 in Michigan @ Dirtfest, and every night the shows got better and the word on “Happily Never After” kept spreading. It’s been amazing! Add to the surreal nature of it all, we have Tommy Lee of MOTLEY CRUE remixing our single “We The Evil”, Will Hunt of EVANESCENCE performing drums on the title track “Happily Never After” and legendary Platinum Producer Beau Hill Co-Producing with me and mixing the record to give it that big arena rock sound we wanted.
– How was it recording your album Happily Never After?
Norman Matthew: It was amazing! We were in an interesting place in that we didn’t have a record deal in place yet, so there was no stress of deadlines or pressure to right this way or that way. The record was written simply for the love of music and passion for being in Murder FM. We had come off the road opening for ROB ZOMBIE, FOZZY, AVATAR, DEFTONES and I had the opportunity to really write and record with no obstacles. It comes through in the music, there isn’t a forced element on the record, every bit of it is as real as it can get.
– How do you build a song up from nothing to become something?
Norman Matthew: It all comes from a momentary inspiration. When it hits I just left it flow. I’ve made the mistake of forcing a song to be written, it’s not real and people can feel that. You have to give them something pure, give them something with feeling so they can feel it. I may not write for weeks or months, other times I can’t find enough time in a day to get all the ideas in my head out haha! I usually lay a click track and a scratch guitar, then demo drums and all the other instruments to really give me an idea of what the song will sound like from beginning to end. I’m not a jammer, I need a blueprint to really feel where the song needs to go and how the story needs to be written.
– Are the equipment and instruments used on stage mostly the same as the ones used on the albums?
Norman Matthew: I use my Blackstar Amps, Gibson / Epiphone Guitars and Cakewalk Platinum in the studio, but other than that, whatever it takes to get the tones needed to tell the story and paint the picture, I will use it. I’m not particular to anything but making sure the songs have the impact they need to make a difference and move the listener.
– How are the summer gigs and touring?
Norman Matthew: Shows have been epic! I hate the heat and don’t do sun, but anything other than that is great haha! Every show seems to be a little more packed, fans more familiar with the new songs off the album and you can feel the excitement in the air. I’ve literally been moved by it every night. thank you to EVERYONE who has been coming out to spread the evil!
– Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
Norman Matthew: Drive from city to city, Interviews, Radio Call Ins, Load In, Sound-check, Face Time with my one year old, vocal warm-ups and pre-show workout, then hit the stage and crush it! Somewhere in between try to find food and sleep haha! I keep it real, I’m all business on the road,it’s the only way to stay out of trouble….and healthy too ha!
– How important is merchandising? Could artists survive without?
Norman Matthew: Merchandise is a cornerstone to a bands survival in the new music industry model, now more than ever. With sales waning, streaming becoming king and it becoming even harder to sell something that isn’t tangible like a CD or Vinyl, merchandise is right up there with live shows. If you want your favorite bands to live another day, come to the shows, buy the merch and most important;y, spread the word on your favorite artists! That means the world to all of us at any level.
– Could you describe some of your earliest influences in life and in music?
Norman Matthew: KISS for the huge over the top show. GUNS N’ ROSES for Axl’s voice and Slash’s guitar playing. Made me want to be both in one. MOTLEY CRUE for the edgier and darker side of arena rock hooks, THE CURE and DEPECHE MODE for the poetic and romantic side of lyrics with that brooding twist and NINE INCH NAILS for that industrial edge. All these artists played a huge part in me becoming who I am as an artist. I never knew why or how, I just always knew it was what I always felt most connected to, so I always carried a piece of it with me in my writing subconsciously.
– What would we be surprised to find in your music collection at home?
Norman Matthew: Sade & Butch Walker. I’ll even throw in some Justin Timberlake now and again haha! To be a great writer and producer, you need to be aware of what surrounds you, past, present and future. You can’t have a narrow mind or tunnel vision, or your results will be the same.
– Where do you see music in general going in 100 years from now?
Norman Matthew: To Space! Or Disneyland. Honestly, I have noooooooooooo idea how much further we can take it, or even pull it back nostalgically. I think everything is everything now, it’s all good. As long as it connects withing a special place in a listener, then it’s relevant and belongs in the moment.
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