Matt Stoll
Written by: Cait Elizabeth - October 15, 2020
Edited by: Travis Ryan
Introductions
Matt Stoll’s crushed velvet voice pairs perfectly with his blues-tinged alternative tunes. Entwining emotionally charged lyrics with moving guitar transitions and soulful harmonica, Matt creates a tone all his own. After a bit of a hiatus, Matt set up shop at Westfall Recording Studio to record an EP with his good friend and producer Nicholas Starrantino. The first song released was “If I Lose My Mind” featuring Nicole Dietrich, a haunting love song touching on mental health, companionship, and growth. It finds its roots in country motifs and nostalgic lullabies.
Matt’s music journey started around the age of 14 when he found himself coveting his brother’s guitar. Eventually he acquired his own, which is preferable to pinching his brother’s when it wasn’t in use. He drifted from one band and genre to another for a few years, in that time fronting a pop-punk band that once opened for Hawthorne Heights at the Vibe Lounge. Matt decided to pursue his own direction after that, writing and recording a full-length indie/blues-rock album and subsequently forming Matt Stoll and The Enablers with friends. Matt played many shows and made lasting memories with the group, but he ultimately decided to step back from music; until 2019, that is, when he got back in the saddle.
Matt Stoll’s new four-track EP is expected to be released in full by late 2020!
Writer’s Room
Returning to music was just what Matt needed. “It felt really good to be writing and playing again.” Two key factors helped Matt find the confidence and sound he had been striving for: working with Nicholas Starrantino and bringing in Gianna Gambuzza (guitar) and Nicole Dietrich (vocals) for “If I Lose My Mind”.
The song started out with lyrics and broad strokes of guitar work. Matt knew he wanted some female backup vocals, but it was obvious from the first line she sung that Nicole needed to be on the whole song. “Nicole’s voice is so good and really fit the vibe of the song and it was truly one of those studio days you dream of where everything just comes together.”
Matt refers to occasions of clarity in his writing as “the clouds opening up”—something he can’t often force to cooperate. Sometimes pieces of lyrics will come to him out of the blue or while he is working through an idea on guitar, but typically he is just struck with a song concept all at once. To stoke the fires of inspiration, he turns to his favorite movies (like The Shawshank Redemption) or artists like Jeff Buckley, The Avett Brothers, and BB King.
“Never give up on yourself. I’ve been there and it’s a hard road back if you do.”