Finn Matthews Shares the Different Emotions Behind His Debut Album things i’ve been going thru
Singer-songwriter Finn Matthews might not be a household name just yet, but we have no doubt that his debut album, things i've been going through, is about to put him on the map in a big way.
Not only does Finn have a phenomenal voice (and a swoon-worthy falsetto), but his deep and introspective songwriting also hits home, with lyrics anyone who's ever gone through the ups and downs of growing up can relate to. The 10-track album is out today, March 11, and we were honored to get the chance to chat with Finn about the album, and what it truly means to him.
Sweety High: What does the album title things i've been going thru mean to you? Do you feel that this album is autobiographical?
Finn Matthews: things i've been going thru, as a title, is just what I feel when I listen to the music and think about the context in which each song was written. Each song is a time capsule of a unique feeling that I felt at a specific moment in time. So in that sense, the project is just a bunch of different feelings that I've felt. It's autobiographical in that all the emotions are genuine things I've been through. It's not all super literal though–there is some storytelling involved that didn't necessarily happen exactly as the songs tell it. But all of the feeling is real.
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SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the album? What kind of feel do you hope fans take away from it?
FM: The project covers a few different emotions a lot of people have felt, especially growing up. It's got themes on love, lust, heartbreak, introspection, living in L.A., and at the very end I go into a bit of my thoughts on religion and the meaning of life. All I hope for is that people connect the music to something genuine in their lives, whether that's a song they listen to to help them with a breakup or a song they enjoy with someone else as they fall in love, or just a song they love that makes them feel good while they walk to work. Music is so intertwined with our experiences and I just love the idea of people living life with music that I created in the background.
SH: How excited are you to release your debut album? How do you feel that these songs represent you and where you are in life right now?
FM: This is a huge step for me as an artist and now that its out, I feel like I really have a clear vision for where I wanna take my career. Up until now I've only released singles and thats cool and all, but having a project that people can bump front to back is a great feeling.
The song that I connect with the most right now is probably "Into the Open." It's one of the older songs on the project, but songs will come back around sometimes emotionally as you move through life. Most of the songs are about external things, like relationships, but "Into the Open" is about personal growth. I've had a lot of changes in my life in the past year or so. I've had relationships and lost them, experienced varying levels of confidence, made mistakes and questioned almost everything about life itself. But lately I feel like my main goal is internal growth regarding my relationship with myself
SH: What was the inspiration behind "The One You Can't Forget"? Is it based on a real relationship?
FM: It's definitely inspired by a real relationship. One thing I like about that song is that it's written in the perspective of asking questions and still not fully understanding your emotions which makes it very vulnerable and authentic.
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SH: Do you have a favorite song on the album? Which one, and why?
FM: My favorite songs of mine are always changing, but my favorite right now is probably "stream of consciousness." That song is honest and represents a time in my life where I was doing a lot of introspection which has made me into the person i am today. It questions the existence of a god or any inherent meaning in life, and whether love is just a bunch of chemicals in our brains or if it's something deeper.
SH: How do you feel you've evolved as an artist and songwriter over the years?
FM: Over the years I've changed a ton. I've tried a bunch of different styles and will continue to, but I am definitely finding a cohesive sound and writing style that reflects me in the best way. This project is just scratching the surface of what I'm capable of as an artist and a producer. I have a ton more music in the vault that is a clear step in a new direction so I can't wait to share that as well.
SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
FM: This is only the beginning ! Keep looking out for more music soon!
If you're all about discovering new music, click HERE to read our interview with Quinton Griffs on his latest song, "Crazy Devotion."