Singer Songwriter MattO Discusses Single “It’s Not Your Life”
MattO is a master of crafting top-notch, fully absorbing songs, weaving soulful storytelling with thoughtful, nuanced songcraft on every track. The singer-songwriter born and based in Switzerland launched his career as a music producer, at around 40, following a successful career as a business lawyer. Fueled by an unwavering passion for music-making, MattO’s sound transcends genres, delivering a refreshing. worldly blend of artistry and authenticity. His thought-provoking, introspective tracks resonate deeply with listeners from all walks of life. Layered with expressive melodies and meticulously crafted production, his music is as professional as it is powerful. He’s thrilled to unveil Drifting Down, his latest studio album—a collection of contemplations, reflections, commentary, and “slices of life”—undoubtedly his most compelling work.
Recorded at Lakehouse Recording Studios in Asbury Park, New Jersey, “It’s Not Your Life” tells a familiar story of succession, as MattO sings from the perspective of a child whose father passed along his profession without much choice in the matter. Jam-packed with soul and character, flowing with gentle guitar strums, funky piano chords, and laid-back vocals, “It’s Not Your Life” is a standout track. The melody may be simple, but those who resonate with this story know the feeling is anything but. The song’s meaning and impact will vary depending on who’s listening; for younger audiences, it’s likely to stir intense feelings of rebellion and freedom in those who’ve been told that their “destiny counts little” because they are “part of something much bigger.” In a contemporary world filled to the brim with choices and opportunities, who is to say what one can and cannot do? Yet, mature listeners will feel compelled to reminisce on a time when the choice was laid out for them. In a world of unlimited options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by choice. Regardless of age or background, audiences will find comfort in MattO’s lyricism knowing they are not the first, nor the last to be told “it’s not their life.” It’s a stellar first single for the upcoming album, Drifting Down.
The “It’s Not Your Life” music video features a live acoustic version of the track—spotlighting the finesse acquired from decades of collaboration with renowned guitarist Luca Meneghello and percussionist Sandro de Bellis, both voted first-rate musicians in Italy. Shot in Milan, the stripped-back, intimate visuals complement the song, providing the ideal arena for MattO’s soul-stirring stories. The black-and-white, minimalistic shots keep the video grounded, yet evoke a raw, emotional experience as MattO and his band play with an effortless blend of passion, precision, and beauty. Similarly directed by Marcello Bumbica, this video mirrors the style of his previous video “I’m a Man,” further solidifying a unique artistic aesthetic that exquisitely complements his gripping sounds and stories. With his next album on the horizon, it’s one of many stunning visuals on the way set to show off MattO’s boundless artistry.
Talk to us a little bit about your writing process for this song—who or what sparked your inspiration?
I have carried the song’s topic with me for a long time. It was not inspired by a personal experience, but rather by the observation that each new generation starts from scratch and does not build on the experience of their parents or ancestors in general. So we all live for the first time and think everything is new and our experience is unique, it is “our life”, when really everyone who lived before us went through more or less the same process.
Why do you think this song will resonate deeply with listeners?
As a young adolescent I want to differentiate myself from my father or mother – I want to be someone in my own right. So when you are told what to do with your life you resist it. I think everyone can relate to that feeling as we all had to choose our own path, often against the will or the advice of our parents. That conflict and how you deal with it marks a young adult’s life.
What sets “It’s Not Your Life” apart from other music in the genre? What makes your sound unique?
I don’t really know. The music just comes out the way it does, I am not trying to sound unique. For this song, a light handed approach based on acoustic guitars seemed to create the right mood for the story.
How does your new album, Drifting Down, showcase your evolution as an artist since first reconnecting with music?
The songs of the album have been written over a period of about four years and have evolved in the process. They are carefully crafted and the arrangements are rather restrained. Compared to my past work, the album feels more homogenous and less experimental. I would say I found my comfort zone and the challenge will now be to not get stuck in there, but to keep pushing my limits.
Talk to us a little bit about the style of the music video—what motivated you to go for a “stripped back” approach for this track?
Black and white videos make you focus on the essentials – the musicians, the light, the lyrics and the music. The song is intimate – the songwriter’s reflection about growing up to become an adult. I think the stripped back version does justice to the song.
Follow MattO
https://www.facebook.com/
https://www.instagram.com/
http://matto-music.com/
About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
Related Posts
May Fall Explains His “Plan D” Single →
Exclusive HYPE Magazine Interview with Jayd Deroché – The Multi-Talented Teen Taking Over the Screen and Stage →
Todd Bridges Talks Sobriety, Surviving Sexual Abuse, Muhammad Ali, Gary Coleman →
