After the enormous success behind his 2021 cut 'Ills Descent', which has since gone onto accumulate 150k streams since its release, emerging singer and songwriter Matthew Torres has returned to deliver his heartfelt new offering 'Could Have Told You That'.
Channelling the raw and driven alt-rock sound of acts like Weezer, 'Could Have Told You That' makes for a brilliantly impactful listen from start to finish. With his bold and soaring vocals riding a blistering bed of ripped guitars and pulsing drums, he is certainly showcasing more of his humble emotions on this one.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Piano. I grew up watching my brother playing piano and composing his own songs. I would get lost in his beautiful songs and started learning piano to play his songs and to start playing my own songs.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I LOVED mix CDs and would make mixes that had all kinds of genres in it and would exchange music with friends all the time. My go to bands were Radiohead, Coldplay, Korn, Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers, Busta Rhymes, and modern scoring music.
What was the first album you remember owning?
When Disaster Strikes by Busta Rhymes. So many darn good songs on that album. Every so often I sing the beginning of So Hardcore when Busta is saying “y’all” in this fun rhytmic/melodic way.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Bring It On Home To Me - Eddie Floyd '69 45 Stax STA 12. This song is so darn good! The groove of the bass and the staccato horn section that comes in. While I mostly write moody singer songwriter, modern bedroom pop, and alt rock - there is a part of me that wishes I was in a soul/funk band making heartfelt jams like this track by Eddie Floyd.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I’ve learned to trust my creative self. All I need to do is start making noise - start strumming whatever I feel like on guitar, tapping some keys on the piano, humming some melody to myself. And my body will find its way to the song it was needing to voice. For lyrics I have a process where I stream of conscious journal for several pages, then review what I wrote; underlining any lines that hit me viscerally, then collect those lines and pull from those to write or finish writing the song.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Some artists that have really caught my ears are: Leikeli47, Daphni, and Quelle Chris for modern groups and System of a Down, anything from the Eccentric Soul collection, and Stevie Wonder for jams from my past.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Tyler the Creator. or…Hiatus Kaiyote. Is my music similar to either of those two bands? No. But! If I could open for them, I would.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
There are two beautiful parts to being a musician. First I get the healing experience of expressing my heart, sould, emotions, experiences through song. I can have lyrics, or no words at all. I can create a gut wrenching string part or pulsing beat or chaotic guitar riff and give voice to the parts of me that struggle to speak.
The second beautiful thing is seeing my music find the ears and hearts that needed to hear it. I don’t need everyone to love me or the music I make. But I do hope that the people who need it, get to experience the same healing I felt making the song when they hear it.
And what is the most frustrating part?
There are 1,000s of advice givers, guidance pushers, unwanted “reality” checkers that make pursuing art feel indulgent and unimportant. It takes time to unlearn the limiting beliefs and it takes time to learn how to navigate through all the mirages and other lost hearts to find the path that feels authentic to you. But time spent on this path doesn’t feel wasted when every step you take, even the smallest fraction of leaning forward, is still moving towards what nourishes your heart and soul.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I learned this from my friend Ben Bladz. Check your expectations. What you expect of yourself and what you expect from others can deeply impact your mood. Secondly, watch out for interdimensional worms that want to suck your energy.
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Matthew Torres' new single 'Could Have Told You That' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.