Redcar-based indie artist, Boy Found Sound, returns this January with a new release. Heidi Wood caught up with frontman Matt to discuss his inspiration, Nirvana and releasing music on vinyl.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard of Boy Found Sound?
Guitar-based indie would be a fair assessment. I enjoy different genres from all eras. Some of my songs have a definite throwback ‘80s vibe to them.
How long have you been making music for?
I started playing guitar at age 16. My friend Paul and I always wanted to start a band, and we recorded a bunch of songs. As time passed, he moved away to study at university, and I started a family. In 2008, I lost my finger in an accident and shelved any aspirations of playing music. In 2019, I started playing again, and my debut EP was released in August ’23.
What’s your favourite piece of music you have made?
I’m pretty happy with all of them, really. They all take me back to a particular time or place. ‘Ultraviolet’ came out earlier this summer and got played on a couple of radio stations, which was enormously satisfying.
Who would be your dream collaboration and why?
I was a huge Nirvana fan growing up, and I’m a big fan of Kurt’s writing style. For obvious reasons, that could never happen. In more recent years, I love the stuff The War on Drugs and Interpol do. I’m a big admirer of their work.
What inspires you to make music, particularly the style that you do?
I was always creative growing up. For me, it’s a release from my daily duties. My two children have severe autism and learning difficulties. I write whenever possible to relieve the stress that comes with being a full-time carer.
What does the writing and production process look like for you?
I write whenever I can – a verse here, a melody there. It’s not always easy to sit and create a song from beginning to end because of my other commitments. When I’m happy with a demo, I record it and send it to my producer, then go into the recording studio.
Who do you make music for?
My debut EP was primarily to tick a box and not look back with regrets. The songs were all autobiographical. It snowballed from there and got played on BBC Introducing. Around that time, I did interviews in newspapers and on BBC Tees. People seem to enjoy what I do, so I continued writing.
What should we be looking forward to in regards to future plans?
My next single, ‘Wired’, will be released in late January. I have two more songs to record in the studio and will be releasing a limited run of vinyl later in the year. It’s going to be surreal to hold an actual album I’ve created. I’m hoping to be much busier on the live circuit next year. To play one of the local festivals would be amazing.
You can stream Boy Found Sound’s tracks now on all major streaming platforms.
