Behind the Song
Matt Nation

Matt Nation is a Brooklyn-born songwriter, singer, producer, and musician based in New York. During his sophomore year of college, Matt officially began producing his music. Later, Matt’s performances at College Music Festivals would give him the momentum to do live gigs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island. His charismatic stage presence and intense performances transcend audiences into a bouncing euphoric state. Matt has garnered attention and a loyal following as the headliner at music venues throughout New York.
Matt’s songs are inspired by the pressures of being a twenty-something-year-old trying to figure out their way in the world. His lyrics often express the embracing of the lesser-than-perfect parts of oneself and takes on the emotional highs & lows of relationships. Matt Nation’s newly released singles “Ms. McGuire” and “Rose Gold” both out on all platforms, takes us into a journey of self-discovery on definitions of love. His music and storytelling are of deep introspection, contrasted with infectious beats and hooks that make you come back for more. The “Ms. McGuire” official music video recently released on Youtube will soon be followed up with the “Blue Dream” official music video.
Matt Nation’s music moves effortlessly between the genres of R&B, Pop, Rap, and Indie/Alternative. His lyrics encompass struggles, resilience and takes on the modern-day love story, neatly wrapped in deceivingly energetic and enthusiastic production. The Pop sound coupled with the driving 808’s of “Ms. McGuire” to the wavy rollercoaster ride of “Life Aquatic”; the atmospheric trippy sound of “Blue Dream” to the dark introspective trap soul vibe of “Rose Gold” is all original songs in Matt Nation’s arsenal in his upcoming debut EP. Matt Nation’s much-anticipated debut EP drops in Summer 2021. In 2021 Matt will be heading to the West Coast - Performance dates- TBA.
For fans who have never heard your music, can you pick three words to describe it?! If three words just aren't enough then tell us more!!
Vibey, electric, melodic dream, a mix up between driving bops and ethereal atmosphere. Story driven and layered.
What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else?) Tell us why.
I would say its performing. There is no better feeling that being able to connect with a live audience and share the experience in what the song is making you feel.
Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you?
If I am going to a studio it feels like working on a very intense report that you are just trying to lay down the foundation and polish as much as you can in that session. You also have to deal with whatever flavor that engineer is bringing to that session. Its on your time that you are paying for. It is your project so you have to maintain your artistic control which can be another part of the challenge. When I am recording in my home studio I am allowed a lot more experimentation to test out the way to say things or maybe even adding vocals in certain sections or in certain ways that time allots. I can really polish each second of the sound to exactly what I want, plus I can take breaks if need be.
Okay, this a fun question. When you are not doing music, what else do you enjoy doing?
I like to keep up with my physical wellness, whether going to the gym to work out or going to Muay Thai classes. When I do get the chance I like to go out and with my long time friends. It's really the only time I get to unwind and enjoying their company is effortless. Meditation and mindfulness is part of my daily life, it helps me get back to the present.
Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why?
Gunna or Young Thug. I like the way Gunna flows to create a really nice bop combined with the tracks he chooses. It gets you into it from the jump and keeps you on the wave for the whole song making you want to run it back. Young Thug has really made the hip hop movement come outside the box. I like how he experiments with his vocalizations and you can tell he really knows what he is going for when it comes to the complete picture of a song.
Can you tell us what song you've written that is the most emotional and describe the meaning behind it?
There is one song that is unreleased called "Run Away." I wrote it thinking heavily on a specific past relationship and how I felt not just the pain of losing her in that moment but the time following it and how easy it was for that person to apparently move on.

Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year?
Yes I am finishing my debut EP that will be releasing this summer 2021 and a new music video in July.
Tell us where fans can access your music.
Stream on Spotify