By Nicholas Jason Lopez
When you combine the guitar-driven edge of Foo Fighters and Jimmy Eat World with the lyrical prowess of Elton John, Ben Folds and Queen, you get Florida-based alt-rock indie artist Matthew Lowry, who has arrived with one last banger before the summer concludes.
The final glimpse before his debut concept record ‘Flamingo County’ releases on Sep. 15, fans accustomed to his humorous take on rock and realistic views on life can expect more of the same with the “Coming For You” single/music video and the album in general.
The track has been described as “high-energy,” sonically influenced by Foo Fighters’ past anthemic classics, with lyrics centered around looseness and fearless authenticity – a message that says, “Bring your shit front and center.”
From the moment Lowry composed the riff for the track, he knew he had to follow the path to see it through. It provided that missing “hard rock” plug he felt his songwriting had previously lacked. Overall, he sought a vibe that blended arena rock with a dash of Southern flare.
The Music Bugle had the opportunity to chat with Lowry about the “Coming For You” video and more.
Music Bugle – What was the moment that inspired you to become a musician?
Matthew Lowry – I have been a musician as long as I can remember. I was singing into a toy microphone at 3 and playing piano at 5. I went to college to play baseball, but in the first semester, I switched my major from Broadcasting – I had wanted to be a sports broadcaster – to music. I had written a bunch of music in high school and it was always the thing that brought me joy and was what I wanted to do. That was the moment I shifted into it being the primary focus.
Music Bugle – What excites you the most about your style of music?
Matthew Lowry – I love this question. I am bringing this blend of singer/songwriter and rock that you don’t see as much these days. Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Bob Seger are artists that brought this side of pop songwriting to rock music that there’s not a normal market for. If people like what I am doing, that means they really like what I am doing. No fake or “copy what’s popular” shit. This is me.
Music Bugle – What has been your creative mindset around your latest material?
Matthew Lowry – It was just me writing the songs and style that I felt. I have no one to please and no style to change, lead or champion. When I was coming up in music, you wanted to stay with the status quo. I am just writing the songs I love, that feel good and say something I want to say.
Music Bugle – How would you describe Florida to someone who has never been there before?
Matthew Lowry – It’s hot. It’s real. It’s diverse. It’s the kind of place where you can – normally – do your own thing, live your life and have a good time. Coastal towns – I grew up a gulf coast boy – keep it pretty chill. We live life, we wear flip-flops and we enjoy. I have been in central Florida – Lakeland – for the last 15 years and we have a nice balance of southern life and college-town progress. Treat your summer like the North treats winter – stay inside – and you will be just fine.
Music Bugle – What has the process been like putting together your debut concept album ‘Flamingo County’?
Matthew Lowry – It was a fucking blast. I wrote all these songs from a very raw and real state of mind. I did not know these would be an album, I just knew they were songs I had to get out. Then, when I realized I wanted to take it to a place where I released them and put a band behind it, I got my best friends to come into the studio and help me put this thing together. When we all listened back to the final product, we knew it was time to move forward together with what this is. A beautiful state of mind.
Music Bugle – Who are you listening to right now, music-wise?
Matthew Lowry – Origami Angel, Manchester Orchestra, Pool Kids, GAS FL, M.A.G.S., FUTURESELF, The Maine, Flipturn, Phaeleh and District Title.
Music Bugle – Does social media help or hurt musicians?
Matthew Lowry – It helps and hurts. We get to put shit out there that anyone could see at any time. We think just because we put shit out there that everyone will see it at any time. There are a million blogs, podcasts, social media shares, etc.. It hurts because we feel like we are trying by posting, it helps when we try harder than socials. I should hang a hundred flyers this week. I should earn it.
Music Bugle – Being that you seem to favor an old-school style approach in creating your music, what’s your stance on the use of AI in music?
Matthew Lowry – I think if you can use it to make what you want, do it, but it’s a tool. Not the creator. Use tools, don’t lean into them to do the work.
Music Bugle – What show are you currently binging on?
Matthew Lowry – I love “The Bear” and am rewatching everything. Probably the best show other than “Ted Lasso” in the past 5 years. About to watch the new season of “The Righteous Gemstones,” which has been amazing. Rewatching “Bojack Horseman” and “Bob’s Burgers” on loop.
Music Bugle – How important is mental health in the music industry?
Matthew Lowry – It’s as important as anything else in your life. I suffered crippling panic attacks for years before getting the help I needed and moving forward and as much as the suffering of life can inspire, creation needs to be followed through on and without the help, we need to overcome mental health setbacks, we will not complete the real art the world needs to hear.
