Interview with Matthew Mayfield

Photo by Cary Norton

So I got an interview with Matthew Mayfield the day before I was planned to see him in Birmingham for his home show. I was so fortunate to be able to ask him the questions on my mind. I may or may not have cried while I sat down to read this interview because I was so excited. I will leave that up to your imagination. So without further ado, here it is: My interview with Mr. Matthew Mayfield....

How has the response to Irons in the Fire been so far?

It's been killer. I feel like I've grown as a writer between the last two records and it seems that folks are picking up on that with Irons. That or I'm just delusional. Highly possible.  :)

 Which song means the most to you?

 My favorite song on the EP is 'Miles & Miles.' Everything about it feels special. As a writer it can be tough to marry a great melody to a great lyric AND feel like all the sounds are there. That song just feels right all across the board. Gotta take those where you can get them. 

Which song has had the best fan reaction?

 It seems like the fan favorite so far has been 'Follow You Down.' It's a bit surprising to me since it was the one that required the least amount of chasing. It was one of those songs that just happened in a couple sittings. That chorus arrived immediately and the verses quickly fell into the right spot. I love it when that happens.

Irons in the Fire came out just a year after Banquet for Ghosts. What process do you follow when releasing albums and EPs?

I never like to have a formula or a routine. Every time I go into do a record, I need it to feel fresh.  With Banquet, everything was centered around the performance. Most of that record is live takes - super raw. This time around, we tried to keep the closeness of Banquet but add a few more elements production-wise to make the melodies more powerful and have a bigger impact on people emotionally.  

What is your favorite song to cover?

There are so many good songs out there worthy of being covered -- but only a handful make it onto the work bench and get ironed out. I was really happy with the way both 'The Boys Of Summer' and 'Ring Of Fire' turned out. Those two songs are incredibly powerful -- so much so that there's a certain pressure that accompanies covering them. But at some point you just have to make it your own and own it. I love the way those turned out.

           

Not necessarily who influences you, but who are some of your favorite artists? Do you have any favorite up and coming artists?

My favorites are all over the place.  I love Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Patty Griffin, Guns N' Roses, Brandi Carlile, The Killers, Foo Fighters... the list never stops. One of my favorite newer artists is a friend of mine named David Ramirez from Austin, TX. Incredible songwriter.

How do your songs find their way to television?

The TV thing is always a surprise. Sometimes it's a specific request for a song, but usually it's a matter of being the right song at the right time. It's gotta fit the scene perfectly, so there's really no rhyme or reason on my end. I always just try to write the most honest songs possible and hope that they're relatable enough for the licensing world.

Has living in Alabama put any limits on your music career? (I ask this because I am also from Alabama)

I've never felt that way. There have been times when I've contemplated making somewhere else my home -- be it New York or Nashville. But I've never really felt like it's been in the cards for me. I've always loved Birmingham and always felt at home here. I feel like this city has help shape my sound in a lot of ways. I'm honored to be a part of an incredibly diverse artistic environment down here.

What has been the coolest part of your career so far?

1.  Making art for a living for the last 10 years. 

2.  Playing music for people that want to hear it and connect. If I see 5 people singing along in a crowd, the night is instantly made.

I always like to ask a random question. What is your inspiration behind the song “Now You’re Free?” It is my favorite! 

For me that song is the sound of the shackles coming off. All of us fight those demons in our own ways and some folks are more sensitive to this world than others. There was a shift in my writing style during the Now You're Free period and I'm so grateful for that. That song seems to be a favorite for folks who say they needed it at a particular time in life. Nothing means more to me than hearing that. It's the nicest compliment anyone could ever give me.

To buy Matthew's most recent EP, Irons In The Fire, you can go here!