LA-based singer-songwriter and performer Matthew Walerstein, working under the name aftercoast, has developed a distinctive musical identity through atmospheric indie-electronic pop, introspective storytelling and expansive production. Drawing inspiration from artists including The 1975, RÜFÜS DU SOL and MUNA, his music balances emotional vulnerability with euphoric melodies, attracting nearly 800,000 Spotify streams and listeners across more than 160 countries.
His latest single 'Nostalgia For My Dreams' explores the bittersweet relationship between love, memory and the fleeting nature of life's most meaningful experiences. Combining wistful lyricism with cinematic electronic arrangements, the track reflects on the beauty of moments that cannot be recreated and the importance of appreciating them while they last.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins 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, but unexpectedly, and not until later in my musical journey. I had a couple of failed attempts to pick up guitar during junior high, but after college, my friend Billy decided out of nowhere that he was going to become a professional cellist, having never touched the instrument before. He started practicing 14–16 hours a day! Around that time, he casually suggested that I'd love the piano based on my love of music and background in singing. He was right. The moment I sat down at the piano, I fell in love with composing and writing songs. Suddenly, I had the ability not just to listen to music, but to create my own. It was a simple act of liberation.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I've always been a musical omnivore. Growing up, I listened to everything from classic rock (The Beatles, The Doors, The Who, Hendrix, Grateful Dead) and Seattle grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden) to lyrically driven East Coast hip-hop (The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Black Star, Common), jazz (Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk), and soul (Bilal, Maxwell, D'Angelo). But I actually got my start writing lyrics through hip-hop and freestyling at parties in high school.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Well, my parents got me a six-CD changer as a present when I was young, so the first album I remember owning is actually five albums (six discs!) that I had in constant rotation:
Aerosmith — Get a Grip, Jimi Hendrix — Axis: Bold as Love, Stone Temple Pilots — Core, Smashing Pumpkins — Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (Double Album), The Beatles — Magical Mystery Tour
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
It's actually one I'm covering right now for my "Nostalgia for My Dreams" release show on November 14th: "Seventeen Going Under" by Sam Fender. From a lyrical standpoint, it's absolutely brilliant, and the depth of the storytelling is extraordinary. But at the same time, I never could have written it because it so perfectly and uniquely encapsulates Sam's own experience.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Hahaha, I have all sorts of daily habits and rituals: breathwork, soundbaths, yoga, morning journaling. But lately, so many of my lyrics have been coming to me in motion: in the car, on a walk, or even while cooking. I'll sing them into my voice notes or Notes app and then piece them together at the piano or with my producer and co-writer John McLucas or bandmate Chase Jackson.
But writing music, to me, is pure channeling. A couple of weeks ago, I had a dream in which I was watching a band perform a song I'd never heard before. I actually made myself wake up so I could try to translate what I was hearing into an earthbound melody.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
The last couple of weeks, it's been a steady diet of Matt Corby, Holly Humberstone, Sam Fender, sombr, and Jon Bellion.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Holly Humberstone would be my number one. She's one of my favorite lyricists and melody writers working today, and I had the honor of seeing her incredible live set at the Fonda in LA back in June.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Seeing a song evolve from a voice note on your phone into something people sing back to you at shows is a truly wild ride. Music has this extraordinary ability to bring people together, to heal, and to make us feel a little less alone in the world. Being able to contribute to that collective experience is incredibly rewarding.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The financial realities of being an independent artist. The investment required to write, record, release, and promote music can be enormous, while the economics of streaming mean that even songs reaching a substantial audience aren't necessarily financially sustainable. Finding that balance between creative expression and the business of music can be challenging.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Trust your own voice. You can be inspired by another artist without having to sound like them. Ultimately, your most authentic expression is the most compelling thing you have to offer, and the thing that nobody else can replicate.
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aftercoast's new single 'Nostalgia For My Dreams' is out now. Check it out in the player below.