A new single release from Matt DeAngelis brings out a beautifully constructed flurry of classic rock-influenced and contemporary undertones and soundscapes with piano and guitar forming a wonderfully textured Rhythm Section and vocals that bear a unique and welcoming approach.
"Speak for A Moment" feels like it came from someplace real and genuine as the track shows a ton of persona and character, and you start to become attached.
This is an example of an artist who has no problem letting things out in the form of song and as he does so, it's clear that he has a true love for his craft because that is just oozing out of every note.
Vocally the song is definitely powerful, and he shows a crazy range along with hinting towards some of his musical influences which in combination is what makes this song so impactful and lovable.
This is the type of song that has a little bit of escapism to it so that you can kind of step out of your world and into his for a little bit and I think we all need songs like that.
There's something else about this track that also gives me the feeling of nostalgia for some reason and I'm not sure if that's the classic rock element seeping through or if it just has this sort of youthful vibe but either way, this song definitely serves as something that could have been part of the soundtrack of my own life at a certain point.
These are the kinds of things I really miss in music and it's definitely incredibly refreshing to have it again.
The song has some outstanding changes, and the accompanying music video definitely does a lot to also show his presence as an artist which has a lot of great energy to it in general.
And I think that's one of the biggest things with this track. The song has that presence to it and that energy that kind of grabs you up and whisks you away for a little bit.
It also has this connective aspect to it, and you feel like you want to dive in and immediately search for more from the artist.
Upon doing so you will definitely find a pretty lush catalog of material dating back to 2019 on Spotify anyway, and each of these releases shows a little bit of a different side of how the artist writes his songs and his approach to how he does his thing.
Matt is definitely one of those artists that not only should you be keeping an eye out for but if you like one song, you're bound to like a lot more of them and again, this is another thing that is very upstanding and refreshing.
With the release of such a wonderfully woven single, we wanted to have a sit down with Matt to find out where this track actually came from and what might be coming up next for him.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Okay, let's start with "Speak for A Moment"! This track was lush with great instrumentation and this honesty as well that really made it addictive! How did this release come about? Answer: I wrote “Speak for A Moment” during the beginning of the pandemic several years ago, but just about a year ago decided I wanted to make this song a single release. The production of this song took quite a few months, requiring a number of long days in the studio. One of the more challenging aspects in finalizing this product was analyzing which instruments worked well with each other. There are many moving parts in this song, so it certainly took time and assistance from my producers Bill Kennedy, Tom Conran, and my father to make the song what it is today. While I am the songwriter, I have to credit my team of producers for putting the final touches on this song. My mother and father have been essential in their support of me throughout this process, which has undoubtedly contributed to the success of this single thus far. Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as an artist? Answer: From a very early age, I became interested in piano from my father, who is also a professional musician, and my mother, who specializes in poetry. At about 8 years old, I put my two influences together to compose my first song on the piano. It was also around this time I began singing and taking my lyrics more seriously. I enrolled in a program called Rock University where I performed live as a keyboard player in a band for a few years from around the ages of 9 to 11. When I decided to cut ties with this program and with stage experience under my belt, I became a serious songwriter and also studied classical piano during my early teen years, performing in classical competitions for several years. It was also during this time when I formed my first original band, Cross Talk, where my bass player, drummer, and I recorded in a couple of studios in Philadelphia and New Jersey. I became a session musician shortly thereafter, recording keyboard parts for other artists. However, it wasn’t until I was about 16 when I began to perform as a solo artist with just my keyboard and my singing voice on many stages throughout the local area. It was also around this time where I began to record my original songs in professional studios, where I was presented with the opportunity of recording my original songs with legends Liberty DeVitto and Richie Cannata, members of Billy Joel’s original band, at Cove City Sound Studios on Long Island. This was an incredible experience and I have recorded with them several times since. Most recently while I have still been honing my craft as a songwriter and recording in the studio, I joined a cover band called The Loop where I am a lead singer and the keyboard player for the band. We have performed at many large venues over the last couple of years throughout the Mid Atlantic region as we have been gaining notoriety in the music scene and continue to do so. Buzz Slayers: What kind of things really inspire songs for you? Answer: As a songwriter, I have always been inspired by worldly events, such as war, climate change, and more recently the pandemic. This has given me an abundance of inspiration that has given my songs their identity. However, I am also very much influenced by God and often include a positive spin at some point in my songs to reflect my faith and encourage hope for the future. I am a storm chaser and have always been highly interested and involved in meteorology from a young age as well. In September of 2021, I filmed one of New Jersey’s largest tornadoes in history and appeared as a headliner on the Weather Channel’s hit show “Deadline to Disaster.” I was interviewed for the Weather Channel and my footage appeared on many news stations across the world. As a storm chaser, I have started to become an advocate for climate change and how we must preserve and care for our planet to ensure a better future. Buzz Slayers: This single has some great approaches to it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically? Answer: My first major influence from a very young age was David Bowie. My songs were heavily influenced by Bowie, especially earlier on in my career as a songwriter. Since then, I have also been heavily influenced by Billy Joel and Elton John, but also progressive rock bands such as Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant and many more. Bands such as U2 and the Beatles have also been anchors in my songwriting. I have learned to respect all music, however, and I am still learning about new artists today. Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music? Answer: When I am not working on music, I am often storm chasing and promoting mental health and advocating for climate change. I also like to stay very active, as this is often a stimulator for me as a songwriter and musician. Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now? Answer: I am currently listening to bands such as U2, The Strawbs, and Cat Stevens. These artists are a pleasure to listen to and I often rotate the bands and artists I listen to throughout the year. While these artists are in my headphones as we speak, I will most certainly have other artists in my headphones in the near future. Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any live performances right now? Answer: I have been performing with my band quite frequently throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and have been playing in front of large crowds this summer. I am continuing to perform year round and hope to perform more of my original songs very soon. Buzz Slayers: Do you record these at a big studio or do you have a home studio set-up? Answer: I often record my rough ideas at my home studio set-up, but the professional recordings are done at the big studio. While I have attempted to record my songs professionally at home in the past, I feel that using the larger and professional studio has very much improved the sound and texture of my songs. This is ultimately what I want the public to hear when I release new music. Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future? Answer: In the near future, I will be releasing new singles and new music videos. I have composed over 200 songs so far in my career and have only continued to improve as a songwriter, so there will be a plentiful amount of music for my fans to hear in the very near future. Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music? Answer: To the fans of my music, I cannot even begin to tell you how appreciative I am for your endless support. It means the absolute world to me and you are one of the main reasons why I continue to do what I do. My goal is to inspire as many people as I can with my music and give my audience a pleasurable listening experience.