27 May 2024
Every Monday I will be bringing you an interview with an independent band, duo or music artist. This week, I caught up with Sheffield artist Mat Hook to find out more…
Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I’m from Sheffield in England and was previously in the band ‘Kartica’. I got into performing music gradually from just learning guitar, eventually singing at a couple of open mics and just generally being convinced I could do what I do as well as anyone. A conviction I hold to this day.
The rest of my band are generally session players who come in to do gigs/recording. Some are friends, some are friends of friends and others I found on bath salts in Sheffield city centre.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
Growing up it was Oasis, Verve, Ocean Colour Scene, Stereophonics, Stone Roses, Cast etc.
To be honest I’ve never really changed for too long. That sound and vibe is who I am. My influences now are mostly the same just added to my own singwriting style that I’ve cultivated and my life experiences.
How would you describe your sound?
The sound of scouring the horizon, always looking for another chance to turn it all around.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
‘Bleed Me Dry’ – It was the feeling you get when you stop and look around at the fleetingness of everything around you. You can have little moments in life, that last maybe weeks/months, maybe seconds… Where you suddenly stop and assess everything and you realise, time really waits for no-one and things that were, evenly recently, a given, can disappear seemingly overnight. Situations can change and lose meaning so quickly and how that feeling can catch you cold sometimes.
What’s your local music scene like?
Pretty uninspiring as far as I can tell. I don’t mean that in the way of performers themselves, I just mean the general ambivalence there seems to be from the public, barring festivals, about live music these days. It obviously gets in the way of valuable time arguing on the internet.
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
I’m gonna concentrate on just recording and releasing music whilst also doing some pretty decent local festivals. Rock ‘N’ Roll Circus, Mosfest & Askern stand out as the biggest ones over the summer, with household names on at all three.
As far playing live. Festivals aside, I’ve no plans to unless some good offers come my way. I’ve had my fill of doing gigs for gigs sake and I’ve no plans to do another headline this year. I’m in no rush generally to do any standalone gigs again anytime soon be honest, I’ve had some nice moments in that respect over the last 18 months and I’m content with that.
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
There’s ideas with some in the pipeline, whether they ever see light of day is another story. In general though I never really look at other acts with that in mind.
Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
Just the other week when I did the Hallamshire Hotel in Sheffield, me and my guitarist Kyle were supposed to do an acoustic cover in the middle of the set, despite that we’d never done it before, even in rehearsals (of which we didn’t do any anyway). As he starts playing I realised I couldn’t read the lyric sheet in the poor light. I then quickly tried to get some up on my phone, which then froze (all of this onstage) so sorta bumbled my way through this attempt at a song, occasionally managing to half-sing a chorus here n there.
It’ll teach me A) never to try doing that kinda thing off the cuff again and B) that not rehearsing at all for 2 months prior to a gig really isn’t a great idea full stop!
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
If your readers want to know about me then I’d suggest the vibe of my songs, especially the lyrics, describe me far better than I ever could.
You can find out more about Mat on his website or via Apple Music, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, TikTok, X (Twitter) or YouTube.
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