My interview with the Matt Irie Band
- mandyparker76
- May 24, 2020
- 6 min read
I got to do an interview with the Matt Irie Band, another band that will be playing blue ridge rock festival 2020! Please check them out and like their social media for updates,new music and more after checking out the interview. The band has a unique sound that many fans will be able to relate to.
Mandy: First I just want to say thank you doing this interview with me, hope you are all doing good.
Matt Irie(Vocals) - We’re honored for sure, thank you for reaching out! Things are going pretty smooth for us so that’s a plus, hope it’s the same your way.
Mandy: The Matt Irie Band has been announced to play Blue Ridge Rock Festival. How does it feel to be playing the festival with all the so far announced bands?
Matt Irie – Very much stoked to be a part of this epic lineup for the 2nd time!(First was in 2018) Johnathon & all the staff have really pushed this beyond the limits for the fans and all the bands on the roster. Couldn’t ask for better team to work with. Feeling like you belong is exactly how you feel soon as you step through the gate or hit that stage and that’s what it’s all about. Where do I start? Haha Ice-T & Body Count, Stitched Up Heart, Nonpoint, MIW, From Ashes to New, Sevendust, Black Veil Brides, Bad Wolves & The Pretty Reckless are just a few that I’m looking forward to, and all of the incredible up & coming acts who we’ve been checking out and really enjoying! Really excited to be making some awesome connections and can’t wait to see all of our friends really soon.
Will Barkley (drummer): We are so excited to play with so many wonderful bands, such as Killswitch Engage, Clutch, Every Time I Die, Body Count, Underoath, All That Remains, Motionless In White, Sevendust, and Nonpoint. We got to be a part of the 2018 festival in which some of them were there, but we are so thrilled to play with these incredible bands! We also look forward to seeing our dear friends in Shun the Raven this year as well!
Mandy: Who are the influences that inspired you to create your sound?
Matt: I’d have to go with Beastie Boys, Pepper, Deftones, Incubus, Fiji, Ka'au Crater Boys, Mix Mob, Phunk Junkeez, 311,Xavier Rudd, Mishka, John Trudell, Michael Franti, Run DMC, Keb Mo, Dr. John, The Smiths, The Cure & Linkin Park sums it all up.
WB: For me, my major influences have been 311, Deftones, Dredg, Pantera, Rage Against the Machine, Opeth, and of course Evergrey.
Mandy: If you could collaborate with one artist or band for only one song, who would choose and why?
Matt: Ah man, I think this is one of the toughest questions just due to the fact I feel there are select artists who’d fit on several songs of ours. But I’d love to work with Nahko! I have so much respect for that guy and all that he’s accomplished over the years. I feel it would make for one amazing track and a really fun experience. I know you said one, but I have to add one more lol, I recently discovered the group Yaima! and the vocalist, Pepper is amazing! We do have some really cool artists who will be featured on future songs that will be cool to share when the time is right.The ultimate collab would be with Chester Bennington, this guy's lyrics have got me through some of the toughest times, and it would have been a dream to work with someone who not only influenced me, but really made a difference in so many lives
WB: Personally, it would be Evergrey, of course, because they are my favorite band. That’s not really the style we are working on with Matt Irie Band, but that’s just my personal jam haha.
Mandy: What message do you hope that your music will put out to your fans?
WB: Traditionally, our music has been all about positivity in terms of love and friendship, happiness and dancing with fun grooves and melodies. We are working toward employing more serious and mature themes and being that we are still a reggae band at heart we want to do justice to the genre. Reggae comes from a place of strife and protest, and we want to use our position and voice to draw attention to systemic oppression in our society, as well as highlight other aspects of our collective life.
Matt: Will really put it into perspective with his answer! This band has faced quite a bit of big challenges and came out stronger every time! When you work as a team with some of your best friends, it’s amazing what you can accomplish, and I’m more than proud of the team. I don’t believe in labels because I feel some want you to be this or that, but what we do is make some really fun music and it’s been awesome to get so much love from all walks of the spectrum. I do feel it’s more rooted in a world music sound. Growth, not only as person, but song writer has really shined in the recent music we’ve worked on and looking forward to sharing with you all soon enough. It’s nothing but love from myself and the boys, and we’re honored to be doing what we love with so many amazing people! Ultimately, we all faces big challenges on a daily basis, what we're saying is, you don't have to face them alone all the time. No matter the case, we're all capable of sharing love & kindness! Next show you're at, look over to the person beside you and tell them you're glad they're here.
Mandy: What is your favorite song that you have written and what is the inspiration and meaning behind it?
Matt: At the moment it’s untitled, it may circle around a love song but it’s more than your typical lovers jam though. I wanted to really touch on letting go of the past, and stop worrying about the future, just live and be happy in the current moment. We’ve all been through storms, but when you find someone who sets your soul & heart on fire, roll with it! you can’t deny amazing chemistry.
Mandy: Are you working on anything special during the covid19 quarantine/lockdown?
Matt: To add to the excitement, we’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing musicians who are lending their talents to this project, and I’d love to share that info, but we’re going to hold out and build up this hype! It’s going to be well worth the wait, I can assure that.
WB: We have gotten some very choice bass players to put down some bass lines for some awesome new songs that we can’t wait to share with everybody! One song will be a re-release, as we are redoing the basslines. But the other will be a brand-new track that we have worked very hard and painstakingly to make sure it’s on point in every way. We are very proud of this one!
Mandy: What would you like to say to your fans/future fans?
Matt: A big thank you to all who’ve stuck by our side during the good & bad, we can’t thank you enough, and that support has got us through some tough times so we can’t wait to give back in the form of the new music and I feel that will speak for itself. So much love to the families and friends.
WB: We can’t thank everyone who have supported us through this enough! Everyone we meet is so gracious and friendly. And for future fans we cannot wait to slam dance with you!!!
Mandy: Thank you again for your time and doing this interview with me. Hope to see you at Blue Ridge Rock Festival!
Matt: It’s been awesome answering these questions and we very much appreciate your support of the music. Thank you again, Mandy! We'll see you in Sept!
WB: We can’t thank you enough for your time, Mandy, and we look forward to meeting you at BRRF as well!!!
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