Matthew Mayfield – Prizefighter

By starrymag | July 30, 2024

By: Alejandra Gil M.

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I’d like to think it’s Rock’n’roll through and through. It’s not a sound, it’s an attitude.  But I’m sure that’s not the general consensus.  That’s just how it feels in my heart.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) As a little kid, I used to hear my dad playing through the thin walls at the house when I was supposed to be asleep – Neil Young, The Beatles, James Taylor and Eric Clapton mostly.  But when I started playing guitar at nine years old on a little Sears Catalog knock-off Stratocaster – I fell in love with Slash, Jimmy Page, Hendrix, Lemmy and Jeff Beck to name a few. Once the 90s rolled around, I got the bug for bands like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Metallica and Guns N’ Roses.  Right there in that odd era where they were all prevalent on the same charts.  I’d like to think I’m an odd concoction of all of it…or maybe I’m just an odd ball.

 

Q) Your new album Prizefighter is out now and one of the singles released is “Die in a Ghost Town.” Tell us the story behind it.

A) “Ghost Town” is a song about the underdog…the low man on the totem pole.  It’s the sound of acknowledging that things have gone downhill, but there’s no giving up.

 

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) It’s all over the place these days.  On PRIZEFIGHTER, I was finding melodies and lyrics in tandem more than ever.  I truly enjoy fishing for both, even if they end up on a B side.  The process is what I love most about music.

 

Q) The single was also released with an official music video. How involved were you in the creative process?

A) Honestly, I was so fortunate to be completely uninvolved in making the video as it’s all live footage from the studio.  My dear and talented friend Courtney Davidson as well as the mighty Jess Williams were behind the lenses capturing myself and the band at our rawest.  That’s what I love the most…there was no acting required.  It was just the live takes of us giving ourselves to the song.

 

Q) The album includes twelve tracks with songs like “Mirror Lake,” “Belle of The Ball,” “Undertow,” “Fumes” and my personal favorite “Monsters.” Do You have a favorite song or one that was more emotional to perform for You?

A) Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to some deep cuts!  The heaviest / most emotional moment while making this record was “Monsters.”  I’ve recorded 80+ songs at the Smoakstack with Paul Moak and that was the first time I’ve ever bawled my eyes out while cutting the acoustic/vocal.  I’ll never forget the experience.  Moak was so professional…he just let me bury myself in the weight of the lyric, and never asked me to stop. I think the original, uncut version is over eleven minutes long.

Q) Prizefighter was recorded with and produced by Paul Moak (Martha Wainwright, Reliant K, Dolly Parton, Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton). What made you want to work with them?

A) Moak is the most talented musician / producer I’ve ever worked with.  We’ve made a ton of records together since 2008, and he never ceases to amaze me with his ability to capture the passion and intensity behind every performance.  My one rule has always been “if I don’t give you chill bumps…passionate / convicted / honest delivery…don’t let me out of the booth.”  He’s always appreciated and respected that about me, and I’ve always trusted him since day one.

 

Q) What song from the album has challenged you the most creatively?

A) “Undertow.”  The demo (which I still love) was too slick and polished.  The version on this album is what it was always meant to be.  I gave every ounce of myself to that song and the song gave itself back to me.  It was a fair trade and a beautiful moment with the band locked in…You can hear it as the song progresses to its peak in the outro.

 

Q) This album delves into darker themes while tracing your career’s trajectory. What do you hope people take away from exploring Prizefighter – either as a message or an emotion?

A) This one’s rooted in getting back up every single time you get knocked down.  This circus act we call the “music business” will always knock you straight to the canvas covered in blood and a sense of insecurity.  It’s my job as an artist to keep clawing my way back up the ropes and getting back in the game.  Otherwise, I’m done.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Man, that’s a long list.  Too long, I suppose.  But off the top of my head, I’d love to work more with my dear friends John Paul White and David Ramirez.  I’d also love to get out of my comfort zone as much as possible and get thrown in the red with younger pop artists like Post Malone and Taylor Swift.  I’m fascinated by other artists’ processes.  As for my biggest heroes…maybe one day.  There’s an intimidation factor with certain guys/gals that have inspired my art.  I’d have to be in the right headspace.

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why?

A) That list is so long / and impossible to choose from…But, as I’m sitting here, I’m listening to Brandon Flowers’ “Crossfire.”  His solo projects as well as his work with The Killers is on another level as a songwriter.  I don’t think he’s ever written a bad song.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) THANK YOU.  FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.  I wouldn’t be able to get back up without the people who take the time to listen / value the passion I put into every single song I release.  That’s honest.  I couldn’t be more grateful for the folks who choose to keep me afloat.