On The Verge with Matt McAndrew
Photo by Elvan McMillen
We see dozens of reality singing competition contestants on our television screens every year. They come in, sing their song, go through or go home. We see live shows, eliminations and tearful goodbyes. If the contestant is lucky, they’re standing in a confetti shower come finale night. The winner tries to sing once more before the show is cut off and he or she is told to go home anyway.
What happens then? Sometimes very little. We’ll remember them come next season – or we won’t.
The Voice’s Matt McAndrew is one of those we won’t forget. He’s known, very endearingly, by some of his fans, or let me use the proper term, McFandrews, as a tatted up Harry Potter – I mean, not easy to forget, right? He was the standout contestant early on – from an electric cover of Hozier’s ‘Take Me to Church’ to his goosebumps-inducing version of Damien Rice’s ‘The Blower’s Daughter’ – Matt had it all. The season 7 winner, oh sorry – he was technically the season 7 runner-up (see what I did there?) – was it. His debut single, ’Wasted Love’, knocked Taylor Swift from the #1 spot on iTunes.
Now he’s signed to a major label, working on his album, and about to go on tour with Andy Grammer. Not shabby. Not shabby at all.
I spoke to Matt about his time on the show, signing with Republic Records, his love for tattoos, as well as his sound going forward.
1. Right before the official results were announced, what were your expectations? For many fans, you were considered the clear winner, and rightfully so. Was it a surprise?
No, I honestly had no idea what the results would be. Every other week of lives, I felt pretty confident that I wouldn't be in the bottom after seeing the iTunes chart. Without the multiplier, I didn't know what to expect.
2. What was the first thing Adam said to you after the announcement, as the finale went off air?
I don't remember. I think he must have been stoked to have 3 out of the 4 finalists be on his team. That's quite an accomplishment.
3. Post-show, you were signed to Republic Records. You checked that famous box, got the ink. Could you describe what you felt right after officially knowing that they were going to sign you? I know fans, me included, were waiting with bated breath for any news to surface.
It was a little strange, I guess because it had been this huge goal of mine. The first month or so after the finale was definitely a period of reflection for me.
4. Question from a fan on Twitter: If you hadn't made it to the finale of The Voice, do you think your life would have been different?
I think Republic was stoked on me because of Wasted Love's success on the charts, so maybe if I hadn't made it to the finale I wouldn't have wound up there. I was just trying to deliver performances that people would remember post show, which I think is more important than making it to the end.
5. Why do think The Voice is yet to launch a big star? What are your opinions on that? Is there something wrong with the post-show approach?
I think post-show, there's nothing they can really do to help that much, ya know? It's up to the artist and their team to make it happen. I don't think it's the fault of the show at all. This probably goes without saying, but I really hope to be the first big success from The Voice. I have so much love for the show and I want to do them proud.
6. 'Wasted Love' had the best first week sales of any The Voice release, selling over 200k copies during the first week. That's 4 times more than the latest Idol winner's coronation song. What were your initial thoughts on the song when Adam gave it to you?
I heard a verse and a chorus of it on Adam's iPhone before Voice Tailgate the week prior to the finale or something. I remember thinking, "yeah sounds pretty cool!", but my mind was on the songs I was about to sing that week. I was stoked that Adam was stoked on it, because I knew that meant the song was a winner.
7. Since then, you've released a new track, 'Counting on Love'. It has a much different sound than 'Wasted Love'. How did the new sound develop?
I think we just wanted to do something upbeat that would catch people's attention. The last thing you wanna do is come back and give a performance that people forget.
8. Can we expect more of that on your upcoming major label debut?
I dunno, maybe not. My approach has always been to write a batch of songs, pick the best ones out, and that's the record. So we'll see how it goes.
9. Question from a fan on Twitter: Do you think the new album will resonate with your core fans?
I hope that it resonates with me first and foremost. I think if I am really happy with it most of my fans probably will be, too.
10. Take us through your creative process. Where do you start when writing? Where does the inspiration come from?
I just write about my life. Lately, I've been doing co-writing which is a new experience for me. It's like speed dating- Really fun when you hit it off with someone.
11. Who inspired you to start making music? Are there any artists who had an integral part in your musical identity?
When I was about 14 or 15, I became obsessed with Modest Mouse. I loved the music and Isaac's lyrics so much that I figured maybe I could do that job too.
12. You're a big tattoo enthusiast. How did that start? What made you want to get that first one? Where, and what was it?
I remember my sister was gonna get one, and I guess that piqued my interest. The first tattoo I got was the empty check box on my wrist.
13. Does each tattoo represent some personal meaning? Do you have one which has more significance than the others?
Yeah, I would say some of the images themselves have more of a back story, where as other ones are more about the artist or just the aesthetic. I think people sometimes get too hung up on what tattoos mean because maybe they think it helps justify them. I get tattooed because I like the way it looks. Just because something means something to you, doesn't mean you will get a tattoo of it. It's the desire to be tattooed that drives the whole thing.
14. Do you have a favourite tattoo artist?
I'm lucky enough to have some great work by Thomas Hooper, Mxmttt, Zac Scheinbaum, and Joey Knuckles. Go check them out!
15. You have a tour with Andy Grammer and American Authors coming up. You must be amped. How did the offer come about?
It's something my management set up. I am SO STOKED! I've always wanted to go on tour, and to be joining such great artists at beautiful venues is really a dream come true.
16. Question from a fan on Twitter: You have a pre-The Voice album out there called 'View of the Pines'. Can you tell us more about the girl who a lot of the songs are based on, the girl who broke your heart?
The songs on there are about more than one person. It's all autobiographical.
17. Best piece of advice you got from Adam Levine?
Have fun and don't be nervous.
18. Best piece of advice you would give other aspiring musicians?
Keep pushing yourself, set goals, make friends with people who are trying to achieve similar goals, learn about everything music related you can whether it be playing/singing, performing, recording, music business, etc.
19. Do you have an embarrassing fan experience you could tell us about?
Nah, all my fans are awesome :p
20. What's the one thing you can tell us about yourself that we don't know? Shock us.
I didn't really enjoy singing until last year or so.
Some easy questions:
1. Favorite guilty pleasure song?
I don't believe in feeling guilty about listening to anything but I have a pretty eclectic taste from I Want You Back by NSYNC to Gagging Order by Radiohead.
2. Favorite album?
Maybe... Rubber Soul
3. Favorite food?
I like pumpkin stuff. Pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie.
4. Favorite book?
Book series? Harry Potter.
5. Favorite movie?
The Godfather
