Matt Sucich Fuses Gentle Guitar and Commanding Lyrics in New Release [Premiere]

Matt Sucich’s newest release begins with, “Montauk,” a track that somehow blends indifference and indecision with the indignation of being told what to do and how to live. He opens the song with, “I don’t want to go to sleep, I don’t want to be awake” and closes with a triumphant and clever line about standing up for what you believe — “I don’t want to be a writer, not this way. I may as well be an actor so you could tell me what to say.” The song’s message is hard-hitting, but playfully introduced through a series of self-reckoning, honest stories with no conclusive outcomes. Throughout this track and the followup, “She Can,” his impressive songwriting skills and tight guitar bring to mind traveling through forest lined backroads and twisting, unidentifiable highways. Simply put, Sucich brings you into a more authentic, intimate world.

The video for “Montauk” follows a man going about his day: waking up, making coffee, exercising, riding his bike into the city, etc. — he seems pretty comfortable with the routine. So comfortable, in fact, that he’s able to accomplish everything without ever lifting his attention away from his iPhone. Perhaps, sometimes what’s comfortable isn’t what’s exciting or meaningful, though. Both the song and the video are calls for reflection, and Matt Sucich makes that clear in a powerful way. Enjoy the video above, and check below for more from Matt Sucich himself.

Montauk Backstory

First things first, I hope people listen to Montauk and relate to it in their own way. Audiences have really connected with this one live, and I only recently found out that it’s often interpreted as a “relationship” song. However, I’ve never looked at it that way.

I wrote “Montauk” after one of the more recent mass shootings hit the news. I can’t remember which one, and that’s clearly part of the problem. We all have this outlet in the palm of our hands, and we have no problem sharing our strongest feelings from the comfort of our bubble. But I wonder how far people will go to stand up for what they believe these days…too often I fear it’s not much further than the screen in front of us. Myself included. I wrote this song as a bit of a cry. If my art is my voice, then this is me saying that we need to go “all the way” a little more often.

The video for Montauk is not necessarily a literal interpretation to the song, but it clearly tackles the “bubble” issue on a more accessible level. It was also an incredibly fun shoot. I’ve got crazy love for everyone involved, Jeff Barry for filming/directing/editing, Luke Norby for his spot on performance, and Jessica Kausen for her help producing. This is my first ever “official video” and the final product is exactly what I envisioned.

She Can Briefly

The other track, She Can, has become one of my favorite recordings to date. My studio band is the same band I play with live: Kiyoshi Matsuyama, Sarah Goldstone, Brian Kesley, and Robby Sinclair, and they sound incredible on this track.