Cut & Sewn with Matt Miller of Graydon
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by leeAlthough they formed just six months ago, Graydon is finding its place in LA’s crazy music scene. Packing places like the Hotel Cafe, they’re putting the fans in the seats. They’re about to hit the studio to record their first album, which from what I’ve heard from lead guitar/singer Matt Miller’s solo work, will be nothing short of awesome. He took the time to talk to Cut & Sewn.
Lee Frank: How did you get into music?
Matt Miller: Growing up there was always music around my house. My family is all musical. My dad’s a musician, a guitar player, my sisters all play music, too. I guess to start my career, I was in Italy and I had my guitar with me. Some friends decided we wanted to play at a bar there. I was living there for 5 months studying. We started playing some shows there and it was incredible. We played 3 or 4 shows and by the end of the semester, bars were packed and we played for tons of people. I could just feel it, for the first time that it was something I really wanted to do for my career.
You play the guitar. Do you play any other instruments?
I play piano. And I sing, I guess the voice is an instrument.
Who are your influences?
Like everybody else, The Beatles are a big one. That’s the first band I remember growing. I remember 4th grade, my dad had introduced me to Beatles albums. I remember listening to one with a bunch of friends in my class. We were listening to Magical Mystery Tour and I think as kids that’s a little bit weird, it looks kinda like a kids CD when you look at it. But I told my friends “we gotta listen to it.” And they were making fun of me because it was before they realized who the Beatles were. I knew for the first time in my life, I don’t even care what these people think, this is it, this is the real stuff. Also, I love a lot of old stuff like the Rolling Stones. Nowadays, I love Coldplay and Radiohead. I love bands that do something bigger, they capture something bigger than a couple hits. They have vision past hits on the radio, becoming something more than that.
After the jump the internet, belly dancing, and Little Richard.
I found you through myspace. How do you feel about the internet for spreading music?
I think its amazing. It’s a different world we live in than say 5 or 10 years ago. I’m not totally independent; I’m looking for a publishing deal and a record deal. For a time the internet gave independent artists more power than ever, but now there’s just as much competition as anywhere else. The playing field has been leveled back out. Some of my friends have gotten signed through just getting interest on the blogs and myspace and that kind of stuff. That is a tool that is really important that can lead to bigger things. The competition is really fierce and the internet is leveling back. But it’s giving more people an opportunity and that’s really cool.
Whats the best gig you’ve ever played?
Best or the weirdest? I don’t know. The best, these days, every subsequent gig is better than the last. We’ve been playing at Hotel Cafe in LA. It’s sort of an underground venue here that has broken a lot of independent artists. Playing with a band now, it’s just been great. Our last gig out here was great, places are getting packed, and we don’t know whats happening. It’s taking a mind of its own.
But a crazy gig… one of my first gigs in Italy. We played Halloween at this University. We were opening for belly dancers and I remember three drunk guys coming and waiting for the belly dancers and heckling us the whole time. I remember once I got through that, thinking if I can get through that gig and still love doing this, this is what I want to do.
You’ve toured the East Coast, what’s your favorite city to play?
Obviously New York. It always gets crazy, it’s such a great place. I always love going back; I’m from Southern Virginia. Norfolk, VA is where I’m from. It’s always a great vibe, coming home from LA. I like Philadelphia, too.
What’s your favorite song to cover?
I really think one of the great songs of all time is “Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones. But you know the best songs to cover when you’re playing live is just blues, like “Lucille” by Little Richard is one that I play a lot. I feel like no one plays that stuff anymore and live shows are about having a good time and dancing and feeling the flow. We play rock n’ roll and while it’s simple and people overlook those songs, you get a good groove and you can just rock it. “Lucille” really gets people going.
Are you on tour now?
We’re just playing around LA right now. Because we’re working as a band now on our first record and meeting with producers.
Is it going to be an EP or full length?
We’re talking to producers now. We recorded a couple demoes ourselves, our bass player studied at Berklee College of Music, so he has the chops.
What are some things you’re looking forward to in the next year?
New Years Night. All of us in the band just had this feeling about this year. We all know it’s going to be a crazy year. It just feels right, I’ve never had this feeling coming into a year. I just look forward to playing with these guys. It’s the time for us to make a run, record a record and playing more gigs. We’re already playing some of the top venues and we’ve only been together about six months. Things have just taken off. We never try to get ahead of ourselves in this industry because you never know whats going to happen, but I think we’re looking forward to new music. These are the best musicians I’ve ever been around.
What phrase have you heard or seen that you’d like to see on a shirt?
I know the answer exactly. I don’t know if you can write it on your website, but “Be a Mother F***er.” That’s what I’ve been told by the guy who mentored me. He was the guitarist in Aerosmith. Every time I ask him how to do anything like how to get great musicians around you, how to play the guitar like that, how to get these gigs, he says it just boils down to that, “Just be a Mother F***er” and things will happen. Thats it.
Supreme thanks to Matt for the chance to ask these questions. Check him and Graydon out. As a special treat, we have three hot tracks right here for you to hear.
