A LupEND Blog Interview with Matthew Santos [Part 2]

(Photo courtesy of Stephanie Bassos)

So, yeah...here it is, the 2nd part of our Matthew Santos interview! In case you missed the first part, click HERE to read it! ...enjoy!



LupENDBlog: In another interview you recently said that you'll be featured on another track that will appear on Lupe's upcoming album, "Lasers". What can we expect from that track?

Matthew Santos: Well I will only say that it is a song more on the lines of “Fighters” from “The Cool”. I really dig the vibe.


LEB: Alright, back to you and your band... How involved are the people of your band in the process of creating new music? (Like the songwriting and all that)

MS: The band is pretty involved in the refining process of the songs, but in the past not so much the conception of the songs. I write the lyrics and loosely dictate the artistic direction of the songs, while the band adds their unique touch and musicality.

Sometimes we’ve spontaneously just started playing and have come up with some amazing shit on the fly. I’d like to explore that writing process more with the band for sure, but sometimes it gets tricky with too many cooks in the kitchen.


LEB: Graham Burris, who's a part of your band is also a part of Japanese Cartoon now. What do you think about that and what do you think about Japanese Cartoon in general?

MS: At first I didn’t understand Japanese Cartoon, but after a few listens I really started liking what they were doing. It’s definitely a niche sound, but some great songs came out of that project. I’m really happy that Graham was a part of it, as well as another band mate of mine Matt Nelson, for they are both incredibly talented musicians and creative forces.


LEB: Ok...we're almost done...one more question from me: The Chicago Mag recently named you one of the top 20 Chicagoan singles of 2009. If you could choose one girl (a celebrity) that you could take out on a date...who would it be and why?

MS: Hmmm. Well I would have to say Odette Yustman. She was in “Cloverfield” and more recently “The Unborn”. She is a classier version of Megan Fox if I may offer an ignorant comparison myself, and I think she has an amazing, sophisticated presence. Not to mention she’s drop dead gorgeous…


LEB: Yeah, she's definitely cute. Ok...so, I asked our readers to send in some questions for you as well...here are the 3 that I picked out....


Q: How did you get your incredible vocal ability did you practice as a kid...vocal lessons...or are you just naturally talented? and how old have you been when you learned to play the guitar?

A: I sang a little bit as a kid, nothing serious though. I took a vocal class once in college that taught me how to warm up and take care of my voice. But really I just learned how to sing from my influences, like Jeff Buckley, Ella Fitzgerald, Martin Sexton, Thom York, Bjork, etc. I started playing guitar when I was 14 and wrote my first song when I was 15.


Q: Which Lupe collaboration is your favorite and why?

A: I like “Fighters”. It’s the song that has the most heart in it.


Q: Have you learned anything from working with Lupe, either about the music industry or artistically or both? How has that influenced your career path? Has it affected your ambitions in any way?

A: Yeah I learned a lot from rolling with Lu. Lessons on the industry, on pop music and performance, on business, etc. Working with Lupe has helped me to get my name out there to the extent that people in the jungles of Costa Rica know who I am.

It’s been a little complicated though, because I’ve since been labeled as a “commercial” artist, or even as a sell out by some of my peers. I don’t feel that either of those statements are true, and my modest lifestyle, along with the music I make is everyday proof of the contrary.

Collaborating with Lupe opened up a lot of doors for me, and for him as well, but it’s also made it a little more difficult for me to work with some of the indie-based companies that I deeply respect--because they feel I’m too “mainstream” now.

I once envisioned a more grass-roots approach to success and working with Lupe was a crazy and rewarding detour on that path. I’m making enormous efforts to get back on that track and at the same time I am forever grateful for the opportunities that came from working with Lupe.


LEB: Once again thanks for taking the time to do this and if there's anything else that you want to say...go ahead...

MS: We are looking for motivated people who want to help spread the word and share their love of music with others, so if you want to be an honorary member of our Street Team, wherever you are, please hit me up on Facebook, Twitter, or Myspace.

We hope to release the album in December before the holidays, and our first single is going to drop in the next few weeks. Much love to you, and enjoy the rest of your summer while you can!