We chatted to Plymouth based musician Matthew Gordon Price about his latest EP 'Rivalry'....
Matthew Gordon Price is an alternative folk musician whom provides an emotional narrative to which many can relate. His sound has been compared to artists such as Damien Rice, Marcus Mumford and Glenn Hansard. We saw Matthew perform at Glas-Denbury Festival in 2017 and since then, have been keen to find out what he's been up to. We chatted to him about the writing and recording of his new EP Rivalry, his love of music festivals and wanting to live with a bass playing gorilla.....
You released your new EP Rivalry earlier this year, tell me about your approach to writing the songs that appear on it.
I wanted the EP to represent the change in my voice, sound and set up. With the opening track ‘Sweet As Stone’ I wanted the song to start with the essence of my debut EP - just me and an acoustic. Then I wanted to introduce the band. So half way through, everything comes crashing in - which I thought was a good idea! That song fell on to paper easily.
'Vixen Queen' just happened one day after messing around with a different tuning on my guitar.
'Rivalry' - I was listening to a lot of Noah Gundersen at the time so went a bit harsher on the sound.
Finally 'Numb', I really hated writing this one, it opened a lot of truths and to be honest it’s not a nice story. The song is still a bit hard to sing, but we created a nice overture to go with it (Eva Axelby) helped with that!!
Where did you record the EP and who produced it for you?
I recorded at PMC aka Plymouth music collective with the master that is Doc Collins! Highly recommend
Tell me how you got involved in playing music, was it from a young age or was it a more recent thing?
I’ve sang since I was 4, not well though. I always tried to sing like the links, Beatles etc. I started playing guitar at 11 thanks to a little encouragement from my dad. I didn’t really play live until after university. So I’ve only been a “professional” for three years now. Seems longer but I love what I do and I’ll keep pushing myself and I hope others do to.
Which bands or acts would you say have influenced your style of music?
I could list hundreds but the main ones at the moment are Keaton Henson, Damien Rice and Noah Gundersen. My top artists for getting my eyes set on the stage was Queen, Kinks, Beatles and Bowie... and T Rex
Who do you tend to listen to when you’re getting ready to go out and party? And who do you listen to on a Sunday morning when you’re feeling a little delicate?
Matt Corby is always a good shout but for a Sunday I usually stick on some Jack Johnson - you can’t get any better!
Independent music venues are closing all the time these days, what do you think people can do in an effort to keep them open?
This question / similar stuff comes up a lot and I’m going to be honest here... just like any business it relies on the supply just as much as the demand. If the content and creativity is there - people will come. When venues close it hurts - but this really comes down to economic/political issues and it does suck. Artists need to work together. Venues need to help promote artists. We've all got to show the public it’s not just a shitty little gig, It’s a show! So in short... get more creative!
Are there many venues in the Plymouth area that cater for your kind of music?
There’s a few and I’m not really going to mention any but I’d like other places like libraries, small coffee shops to showcase musicians more. I love church gigs, anything with substance and an attentive audience for me!!
How would you describe the music scene in and around Plymouth right now?
I dip in and out a lot now and I’ve started to venture outside of Plymouth more - just because my music’s hit a point where I've got to expand now!
BBC Introducing in Devon and Cornwall are pretty active in the Plymouth area, have you ever played a session/event for them?
I’ve done a lot with the BBC. I’ve done two live sessions as myself; performed at the Xmas special in 2016; performed with Jamie Yost on his session too! And performed on BBC stages at a few festivals!
There are loads of festivals in Devon and Cornwall these days, which ones have you played this year and which ones are you yet to play?
This year I’ve played Glas-Denbury on the main stage supporting the lovely legend Martha Reeves. Also played with different bands at Leopalooza; Tunes In The Dunes and Looe Festival!
What do you like most about music festivals? and what don’t you like about them?
Music festivals are the best thing on planet Earth. Music is the only worldwide language that everyone will always understand. If an artist sings a heart wrenching tear jerker - you and everyone around you can feel that pain. If you hear a funky Motown tune - everyone’s smiling. It’s the greatest thing to be a part of that. I just got back from Leopalooza whilst writing this so maybe I’m still buzzing ha-ha...... The worst thing about festivals? I’d say the mud!
I was chatting to Jamie Yost recently and he mentioned that you were very much a permanent fixture in his band, does Jamie help you out when you play live/record too?
Jamie and I will be in each other’s music careers until we die - I can safely say that. And I hope I inspire him as much as he inspires me. It’s hard but when times get rough we chat and always sort something.
There’s tons of bands and acts out there today, name me three that you feel people should be checking out
Keaton Henson, Matt Corby & Noah Gundersen
Lastly, would you rather live with a grumpy dog that sings lullabies or a gorilla that eats you out of house and home but is an amazing bass player?
It has to be the Gorilla bass player, I mean, come on... think of all the money he would make whilst busking!
We'd like to thank Matthew for sparing the time to chat to us and we wish him every success for the future. If you'd like to keep up to date with him, here's a ton of channels where you can keep up with his every move;
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