Following a run of impactful releases in recent years, Mat Hook is back, and he’s brought the swagger with him. Best known as the frontman of Sheffield indie rock outfit Kartica, whose cult following and sold-out shows made them local legends before disbanding in 2014, Hook returns with his brand-new solo single ‘This Feeling’. A soaring blend of distorted guitars, Britpop charm, and feel-good indie euphoria, the track marks a bold re-entry for a voice long missed in the UK guitar scene.
Backed early on by tastemakers like John Kennedy and Steve Lamacq, Hook now picks up where he left off, this time with a sharpened sense of self and a sound designed to electrify a new generation. His latest release captures the kind of life-affirming energy that lingers long after the final chorus fades.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Probably the recorder at school (laughs), but as I’ve got older, I love the sound of the piano. I actually had (short-lived) lessons as a kid, but wasn’t interested. I’d love to be able to play it now, though. The sound of an acoustic guitar brings out so many emotions for me; I’ll always love that too.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My first memories of music are probably a lot of 80s commercial stuff that I’d hear on long car journeys as a kid. I still love a lot of that music purely for that reason. I didn’t come from an overly musical family or anything, so I don’t remember the radio or records being on at home loads; mostly it was the car stereo.
I think the first song I ever bought was ‘Jump’ by Kriss Kross, the American rap kids (laughs), but by the time I started secondary school, I wasn’t really bothered about music, I was just football mad. Then Oasis came along, and things took their course.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first one I remember actually buying was ‘What’s the Story!? (Morning Glory)’ by Oasis, but I’m pretty sure between me and my older brother, we had ‘Bad’ by Michael Jackson well before that.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Probably ‘Live Forever’ by Oasis. That’s my favourite song on average throughout the course of my life. I love the sentiment in it. It will always remind me of my youth and finding an identity in this world. There’s something emotive about the melody which just really strikes a chord with me (and as chance would have it, millions of other people too (laughs).
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Not purposely. I just about always write songs on a whim. So often it tends to be at night. Sometimes in the early hours, if I’m still awake as that’s when I gather a lot of my thoughts… I feel like my songs are all coming from the same place somewhere.. They’re just expressed slightly differently each time. It’s a theme of kinda processing the past and everything I feel about my journey in life, often lined with the hope of another chance to turn it all around (laughs).
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
As far as current acts, I like The K’s, but I’m more of a song than an artist man these days. I don’t really attach myself to bands or scenes the way I did when I was growing up. I loved and breathed music, bands and scenes before I was in a band because that was my badge, that was the way I spoke to the world! Now my own music speaks for me in that regard, so now I just tend to stumble upon songs I like and listen to it to death for a few weeks and then move on.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
There’s a bit of a theme here (laughs), but it’ll be no surprise to anyone that it’d be Oasis. They’re the reason I got into making music. Also, they have a crowd like no other, one that represents the world I knew growing up… And of course they could then open for me the next night.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Making the music itself and having the finished product. Music to me is like the only real magic on earth. It’s something not naturally of this world, yet for some reason, when created, it strikes something in our very core. What the biological reason for that is I have no idea, but it’s kinda incredible really when you think about it.
I love playing live too, especially if it’s a big gig. Not just necessarily being on stage. I like the mundane stuff on the day.. The calm before the storm. I’d like to think that with performing, I’m intertwined in moments in some people’s memories that’ll last the rest of their lives.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The amount of bullshit that envelopes pretty much all aspects of the music industry. It feels like it’s one of the only walks of life where you can take pretty much everything you read and hear with a massive pinch of salt. Cos the vast majority is built on hype and projection rather than any substance, and that’s before you get to the never-ending false promises. It’s why I try to steer clear of any scenes or cliques. That's not to say there aren’t people I’ve got good ties with, but I try to stay in my lane regardless. My journey’s my own.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I honestly can’t remember being given any groundbreaking advice by any musicians. Or if I have, I probably wasn’t listening (laughs).
I think any conversations I’ve had in that regard have usually been spelling out the obvious and kinda universal truths. Do it cos you love it and stick to your guns. Another mantra I have is not to expect anything from anyone. You’ll only be disappointed if you do. Put yourself out there, and any support you ever receive, or opportunities you get, are a bonus!
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Mat Hook's new single 'This Feeling' is out now. Check it out in the player below.