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1.) We’re happy to spend some time today with talented musician Parker Matthews; welcome to Vents, Parker! Before we dive into the deep-end, how has your 2022 been treating you?
What’s up Vents! Thank you so much for the kind words and for having me today! 2022 has been quite the ride so far, but I am here for it! I’ve spent a lot of time expanding my team and gearing up for what is to come throughout the rest of this year!
2.) Congratulations on your just-released debut EP which is entitled No Regular Love! What was the genesis of No Regular Love? Has this EP been a long time in the making?
Thank you very much! This project is very special to me, not only because it’s my debut EP, but because it takes a look back at a few relationships / ‘situationships ’that I’ve had between living back on the east coast, and when I first moved to LA. Every record on this EP is actually about someone different because I wanted to make an audible collage to begin to tell a part of my story. Love might seem distant in the world we live in today, but these relationships, although they didn’t work out, truly did mean something to me. These weren’t just a “regular love”… they were so much more than that. Heartbreak is something that I’ve become accustomed to, but it’s about taking those feelings and turning them into music to find the real healing.
3.) The lead single off of No Regular Love is the rousing gem What Happened to Us. What made this specific song the perfect choice to lead off with as the single to the EP in your opinion?
Although this specific record doesn’t fall in chronological order of my relationship history, I wanted to start with this record because it really sets the tone for the whole project. This feeling that everything seemed so perfect, until one day it wasn’t perfect, and in fact, ‘we’ didn’t exist at all. Being ghosted sucks, and I really don’t understand how someone can just throw away all those good times, feelings, and memories, but looking back on those good times is what helps me heal and move on.
4.) What Happened to Us has garnered tremendous love and support from admirers, with over 100k streams since its debut. As an artist attempting to make a connection with audiences, how does the warm reception feel?
It feels great! I love when a listener can relate to a record and really connect with it. I think we have all been ghosted at least once, and that feeling of dismay is something we can all resonate with.
5.) Who was your producer on No Regular Love and what did that collaboration look like in the studio?
No Regular Love Was produced by Solano, who I’ve known for the last few years. It’s crazy how people meet in this city; we met at a Cancer Foundation fundraiser back in 2019. Collaborating with him was great, and we really brought our own elements to the table. It was super fun exploring new techniques and diving into my lower register for some of these records.
6.) What do you hope fans take away from No Regular Love?
First off, I hope that people can relate to this EP, or at least a few of the records, and their path to healing from a similar situation they’ve been in. More importantly though, I want people to realize that they are enough, no matter how someone may make you feel.
7.) On the heels of the release of the No Regular Love EP, can fans look forward to seeing you on tour this summer?
I’m super excited to tour this music, and am looking into a couple festivals for this summer as well as some cool opportunities in LA! I am also working on a ton of new music these next few months, for which I’ll be planning a more robust tour. Stay tuned!
8.) Musically, who are you listening to and enjoying right now?
Man, that’s a tough question! I really love Dua Lipa right now- she’s come such a long way! I also love Doja Cat and of course, Gaga, Adele, and Megan Thee Stallion.
9.) A timeless theme in popular music is love: The acquiring of love, the maintaining, the longing for and the loss of love. Why do you feel that the subject of love is such an evergreen in the world of music?
I think love is such a timeless theme in pop because contrary to what some may think, I believe our desire for love is in our nature. Love comes in many forms, and love is very real.
10.) With the No Regular Love EP racing up the charts, is it too early to ask you about what your plans are for an LP?
I have already begun working on a new set of music that will comprise a future LP! In fact I’ve started cutting vocals on an upcoming single for this next project, the name of which I’ll be able to share soon! Be sure and stay tuned on my IG @officialparkermatthews and Spotify as I’ll be announcing more soon!
11.) As a singer/songwriter, which comes first for you – The lyrics or the music?
This is such a tough question, but I would say for me, the lyrics come first. The music/ production does play a crucial role in bringing the listener in, but the lyrics truly tell the story, and that is the most important thing to me.
12.) How did you land on the path of becoming a successful musician, Parker?
Music has always been my dream, ever since I can remember. However, I followed my parents wishes and went to school for business, but was so incredibly unhappy because music was missing in my life. After I graduated, I left my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA and moved to LA with a dream. I worked super hard, was lucky enough to meet some amazing people, and just like building blocks, was able to begin my career step by step.
13.) We absolutely love Broken Hardly off of the No Regular Love EP. What’s the Secret Origin story behind this lovely tune?
You and I have similar taste, because this is my favorite record as well! Broken Hardly Stems from a friends-with-benefits situation that I had with someone in LA. That person only saw the surface level of what we had and had no interest in seeing where things could go, as far as a possible deeper relationship developing. For quite a while, I always gave in to those late night ‘hey you up?’ texts, even though it left me feeling empty and alone afterwards, but eventually I realized that I didn’t need him and if he couldn’t see the bigger picture, I had no place for him in my life. This record is one that comes full circle in the end, because at first, I felt like I wasn’t enough. Like I wasn’t good enough or possibly not even deserving enough to have a relationship. Then I finally reached some mental clarity and realized that I am enough. No matter how broken you may be, you are still enough. That is something that I want everyone to realize. I wrote this song from such a vulnerable, honest place, because I want each and every listener to realize just how incredibly special and deserving they are. No one is perfect. In fact, true beauty is in the imperfections because that’s what makes you unique.
14.) Final – SILLY! – Question: Which one item of food is always in your refrigerator?
Nectarines! I absolutely love them!!
