Following on from a string of impactful offerings these last few years, LA-based artist M.T. Roads is back at it once again to deliver his shimmering new single 'Hold Onto'.
Channelling a wonderfully rich and enchanting aesthetic for his newest outing, 'Hold Onto' makes for a beautifully warm and inviting listen throughout. With its broad and emotive tones, sweeping atmosphere, and his own mesmerising vocals at the helm, he is certainly looking to turn plenty of heads with this one.
So with the new single available to stream 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?
As a kid I was listening to a lot of grunge rock with friends, and progressive rock with my dad. The guitar work always drew me in. The tones and melodies each musician selected was so pure, elegant and emotive. At first, I didn’t know it was guitar that captured me, I was too locked into the overall melding of each musician’s sound. And slowly, as I learned more about music I figured it out and knew I wanted to write songs on guitar and sing.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was locked into progressive rock (Genesis, Yes, Porcupine Tree), 80s rock (Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, Simple Minds), 90s rock (Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Nirvana), hip-hop (Nas, Dr. Dre, Living Legends).
What was the first album you remember owning?
I got my hands on a Walkman when I was a kid, and picked up Stone Temple Pilots’ album Purple on cassette. I spent many days riding around the neighborhood, jamming out to those tracks. Recordings that felt so raw and live made the vocals/lyrics, drums and guitar incredible to me.
A few months later, I got my first boombox with a cassette/CD player. I remember vividly going to a local record store called The Warehouse in Walnut Creek, California to grab the CD. I had a few friends over and we spent a few hours hanging out completely focused on the audio experience and larger liner notes.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Pink Floyd’s “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” is a song that stands out to me. That was one of the first songs that blew my mind as a kid. The record as a whole is elegant, beautiful and emotional. The lengthy composition is so well constructed. Years after hearing it for the first time I found out the song was created as a tribute to the band’s founder, Syd Barrett.
I find myself reaching to find that level of connection and depth in the story and music I create.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Over the years I have tried a variety of approaches to writing songs. What allows me to lean into how I feel, what I have been through and what characters/stories I want to create has been a clear mind. I am fueled by sounds and creating from there, and need to be able to completely feel what may possibly come to the surface.
Recently, I have found collecting lyric ideas and compiling a direction for the lyrics before stepping into a writing session greatly supports my process. Though I do like seeing where a blank canvas takes me, I now prefer a simple foundational idea as a starting off point.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Dina Ögon has been on repeat for me the last few months. Their music has so many influences across countries and genres, and I love how energizing, worldly and dreamy their “Scandinavian Soul” music is. Highly recommend checking out their album Orion, and their band member, Daniel Ögren’s, solo work.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Porcupine Tree would be one of my top choices. I spent a lot of time in college digging through their catalog that blends together psychedelic, progressive and experimental rock with elements of electronic music. Their music is so powerful, creative and well-written. That alongside their incredible musicianship would make opening for them a big moment for me.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Being able to create experiences that move me at a deep level. Also being able to share those experiences with others who will find their own meaning and emotional journey through the music.
And what is the most frustrating part?
When I find myself with expectations around the creative process. Is it good enough? Am I working fast enough? Is what I am making new and interesting? Will people understand or get something out of what I am making? Getting ahead of myself is always what creates distress and drag on the work. In those moments I used to start to question why I do it.
Once I realized I can control how I respond to those thoughts, I learned how to get back on track almost immediately. I just had to realize that being ready and open to work on my music doesn’t always mean something will come. It is purely about enjoying the time spent, whatever that amounts to.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
When I graduated from college I moved in with my Aunt and Uncle in LA to start my life there. My Uncle plays drums and is a massive music nerd, so we would sit around for hours each night playing and talking with each other about the music we loved. He taught me that music doesn’t need to be complex to be great. And there is an art to utilizing empty space in recordings. Simple, yet challenging concepts to take into the work.
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M.T. Roads' new single 'Hold Onto' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.