Q&A's

 

Matt Westin recently released his new single “Thin Blue Line,” an incredible song which he’s dedicated to the men and women in blue. We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Matt and chat with him about the importance of this song, writing it with Joie Scott, recording it with producer Bryan Cole and famed session guitarist Brent Mason, why his music has been resonating so much with the listeners, taking on the acting role of Johnny Cash in the upcoming film 116 MacDougal, and much more!

www.mattwestin.com

1. You recently released “Thin Blue Line,” your first single since 2019. Tell us a little bit about the song.

“Thin Blue Line” is dedicated to all the brave men and women in blue that risk their lives to protect and serve our communities every day. I have many friends in law enforcement, and their bravery, selflessness, and sacrifices have inspired me for a long time. One close friend in particular inspired this song, and it is my way of showing them support and appreciation for what they do. I don’t know how they do it - dealing with so much darkness and pain - and then coming home to be a mom or dad, a husband or wife. I know I couldn’t do it. They are extraordinary people, and I want them to know that we love and support them.

2. With so much going on in the world lately, why was it so important to you personally to release a song paying tribute to law enforcement?

I wrote the song in the fall of 2019, before things got really crazy, before the George Floyd riots and protests, before the big push to defund the police. I could see the tide rising, I suppose, and it was just on my heart to do something for them. My love and respect for my friends in law enforcement gave me a sense of urgency to put out a positive message, because they really need the encouragement and the public needs to hear it. The hugs, handshakes, and messages I’ve received since the song’s release have been incredible, and the heartfelt words of the song have made a definite impact on officers all over the country. I couldn’t be more proud.

3. The song was co-written with Joie Scott. What did Joie bring to the writing room that helped bring the idea to be what we hear from the song today?

Joie is a great writer and a beautiful person. It was an honor to write with her. We met at her house in Nashville and talked for a couple hours to get to know each other a little bit. I explained everything I wanted to accomplish with “Thin Blue Line,” and really opened her eyes to a lot of things regarding law enforcement that she was unaware of. I knew that if I could touch her heart with my message, we would be able to write the song that I envisioned. Joie took on the passion that I had, and we were on the same wavelength. Her talented way with words complimented my writing style, and we worked very well together.

4. The track is produced by Bryan Cole and features the legendary Brent Mason on guitar. In what ways did having them on this recording help bring it to an entirely new level that without them wouldn’t have otherwise been there?

Bryan understands me. We’ve worked together on everything I’ve recorded, and we’ve become great friends. He was passionate about this song from the beginning and made sure that it was everything that it could be. In fact, Bryan secured Brent Mason, as well as the rest of the incredibly talented musicians that made this song what it is. He poured his love into the song, just as I have, and the musicians could all feel it. It inspired everyone in the room. Mike Brignardello took the reins as the band leader and lit the path for everyone.

Brent knocked it out of the park and created probably a dozen different riffs out of nowhere, and we chose the ones that fit the vision of the song the most. It was magic in that studio. It was a huge honor to work with such talented people, all around.

5. You’ve said that there are still more singles to come in 2021. What can you tell us about them? When will those be released?

I have an unreleased single that is finished, but I haven’t set a date for release. I want to have a few more ready to go before I decide what order to release my songs. I’m in the process of recording a few new songs right now, two of which I wrote a couple months ago. One is inspired by my 96-year-old grandfather, who lived an incredible life, flew planes in WWII, worked hard, and built a classic American legacy. The other song is about living on the edge, living free, taking chances, and the possibilities that come along with it. These are still in the demo phase, and considering my schedule at the moment, it’ll likely be a couple months until they are ready. I don’t want to rush anything or cut any corners, and the holidays are quickly approaching. There’s still a possibility that I could release a song before then, so I’ll try my best. In the meantime, “Thin Blue Line” is still only a handful of months old, and I still have lots of promotion to do for it.

6. What can your fans expect to hear from those upcoming singles that “Thin Blue Line” doesn’t offer to them?

These songs are going to further develop my brand in that the messages are part of who I am and the kind of things that I want to express, as well as defining my sound a bit more in the sense that I am finding a line to walk between classic/outlaw country and modern country. I’m not much of a fan of modern “country”, but Bryan and I are taking certain elements and experimenting with it a bit to create something new that fits my brand and is radio worthy in today’s market.

7. You’ve had a ton of streaming success in the past few years with all of your releases – from “Thin Blue Line,” to “Farm Town,” You Leave Me No Choice,” “Our Redneck of the Woods,” and “Hey Bro” ; the latter which has amassed over 350K streams. What is it about your songs that you feel are making them resonate with listeners the most?

I really just try to make music that I like. A lot of times, others will agree. Sometimes they don’t, but that’s ok too. Mixing elements of classic and outlaw country, rock, and modern country, I release songs with deep meaning and songs that are just fun, so there’s a little something for everyone. One thing I always try to accomplish is creating music that is relatable in some way, and not just a catchy sound. Making a connection to the hearts, memories, desires, and imaginations of the listeners is important to me, and I think that’s where my music resonates with people.

8. Switching from your music career to your other passion – Acting! How did you get involved in acting?

I wanted to be an actor when I was a little boy, and for some reason I never really pursued it until I was in my early 20s. I started out just goofing with friends with a camera, and then I took some classes locally and did some auditioning. Long story short, I ended up starting an independent film company with a couple friends, and we did some short films, a full-length horror film, and a couple ghost hunting documentaries. In my adventures, I met lots of people in the industry and I got parts in projects of all kinds from TV, independent films, commercials, and even live performance. I ended up moving to Los Angeles for a while to pursue acting as well.

9. You recently secured a film role playing Johnny Cash in a film titled 116 MacDougal. Tell us a little bit about the film and what type of pressure comes from stepping into the shoes of a legend like The Man In Black.

This film is going to be epic! It’s all about how the Gaslight Cafe in Greenwich Village, NY influenced the counter-culture movement in the late 50s and early 60s. Famous folk musicians and beat writers got their start there, including a teenage Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary, Alan Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac, among many others. The film includes many other intriguing legends of the time as well, including Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and many more. Johnny Cash used to stop in to play there, unannounced, when he was in town. I believe that’s where he originally met Bob Dylan. The owner of the Gaslight had to protect his artists from the mob, the FBI, the cops, and the local government, because their counter-culture message was considered to be a threat. This little cafe played a huge roll in changing American and music history. The film is based directly from the stories of those who have survived to today, and it is untold history that needs to be seen and heard. Many of these legends have agreed to make cameo appearances in the film as well. The soundtrack is also incredible. I was honored to record two Johnny Cash songs for the soundtrack, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this project.

There is a lot of pressure, but I’m honestly more excited and honored than I am nervous. Johnny is one of my all-time idols, and to combine my singing with my acting is one of the most fulfilling things I can think of doing. I’ll do my best to honor the memory of the legendary Man In Black.

10. Whether it’s acting, music, or both…what is the best piece of advice that you can offer someone looking to break into these fields as a career?

There are a few things that have seemed to be most important to me in my journey so far. You have to believe in yourself, first of all. That is the foundation for everything, and the motivation for hard work. Surround yourself with good, trustworthy people who believe in you and encourage you through the inevitable times of doubt or struggle. And take some risks. Without stepping out of your comfort zone, opportunities will be very limited, and growth cannot happen.

 

Learn more about Matt Westin by visiting his official website at:  https://mattwestin.com/

 

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