Inside The Museum of Matt Maltese's Life
Interview and photos by Mary Perez
Graphic by Rebekah Witt
In his most recent album, British-Canadian singer-songwriter Matt Maltese opens up with “Mother,” sharing some learned lessons about moving on after a breakup and discovering how to love again. Despite the vulnerability in the indie pop’s discography, he grows more open about his challenges through each release, imparting words of wisdom to his fans while also blossoming as an artist. He chronicles the chapters of his life within his music, marking the stories that he leaves behind and the people that have impacted him. After a wonderful performance at Governors Ball, Maltese spoke about overcoming challenges in the studio and being intimate in his music.
In terms of the new album, how was the fans' reception compared to your expectations? Were there any surprising songs that they responded to that you didn't expect?
Yeah, I mean, I definitely try and have as little expectation as possible. It's never what you expect. It's hard to know without playing a lot of the songs live. I've had some really lovely comments about the album. It's been a really nice reception.
Are you planning on having a tour?
Yeah, we're looking forward to it. There definitely will be some touring in the not-too-distant future.
That's good to know. The album opens with “Mother” and closes with “Leaving,” and a lot of fans were commending you on your ability to be intimate and talk about subjects that are a little bit closer to your heart. So were there any challenges in being able to do that? Is there any place that you draw inspiration from or motivation for that?
I'd say that it's definitely a challenging part of the process, to access things that you maybe don't want to share or sing about or have to delve into. But I also think that that's kind of the whole job, in a way, is to sort of dig when you maybe don't want to dig. That often makes for the most truthful and relatable. You know, every human goes through a lot of these things. Yeah, I feel like if it's not difficult to sing, it's probably not worth singing about with it.
Did you find any challenges in being able to talk about these things?
I think because I've been writing songs for this long, it's less challenging. It's just a process that I'm aware takes a lot of time [to] try and not get caught up. I sort of know it will come. I just know that just takes work.
If you're in the studio and having challenges, is there anything that you do in particular to help you to get through that?
I don't know. I mean, you come back the next day, and it's a new day. There's good days and bad days, just trying to be big picture about things and not get caught up in a momentary feeling.
A lot of the songs are about you growing up. Are there any artists or songs in particular that remind you of growing up and getting older?
If I listen to Leonard Cohen, it really reminds me of being a precocious teenager. And often, if I listen to the Great American Songbook, I'll remember 10 or 11, falling in love with those kinds of songs. My mum used to listen to Shaggy all the time, so all over the place.
If fans are just beginning to listen to you, what would you say is the first song that you want them to listen to?
Oh, I don't know. I feel very open to that. Yeah, I would say just Russian roulette. Just see where you go.
Do you have a favorite or more interesting way that someone has described your music?
Oh, good question. I don't know if I have. I've definitely had very interesting things sent to me. I try not to think too much of my own sense of my own music, so maybe I'm kind of suppressing a lot of them. I've had soft rock before, and I kind of run with that.
Are you planning on checking out anyone else at this festival?
Yeah, I mean I'd love to see HAIM and a few others, I’ve never seen them play.
Oh my gosh, I saw them last year at a different festival, and they were amazing. What about creating a dream tour rider? What would you have on it?
Insane amounts of fruit, tropical fruit.
Do you have a favorite fruit?
I'm not too discriminatory, I like them all. Yeah, I would take guava.
If you had to create a dream tour lineup or even a dream festival to play on, who would be on it?
I mean, just for my own viewing pleasure, I'd love to bring Scott Walker back from the dead and have him headline. I’d love to see Connan Mockasin; I love seeing him live. Elvis Harding.
Sounds good! Do you have any messages that you'd like to send your fans?
Thank you as always, and yeah, see you soon.
It was so great getting to speak with Maltese, and he was such a pleasure to watch live. Be sure to catch him on tour in the future!