Matt Gresham Rising Up Interview

No longer part of the system / this is my rhythm / it's in my blood.

Australian recording artist, Matt Gresham gears up to release his new single, Rising Up, ahead of his album release. With a string of European festivals just around the corner, and support slots on international tours with James Arthur and Vera Blue in the bag, Matt is breaking new ground across the water.

Though a talkative and sunny personality, Matt wields a quiet intensity on stage that can truly hold a room, which came through when performing with Bebe Rexha live on German TV over the weekend. Matt performed the role of Florida Georgia Line, in their hit single Meant To Be.

Raised on backyard jam sessions and good surf, Matt is a down to earth Aussie musician with an honest and arresting voice. After years of rocking local festivals, a killer SXSW performance landed Matt a record deal with Warner Germany, prompting a move to Berlin. Life in Europe has allowed Matt to expand his technical repertoire, embrace the challenges and inspirations of the German lifestyle, which he has expressed through song writing.

Rising Up was written in collaboration with Roberto De Sa and Isabella Kearney-Nurse and came together at lightening pace. "It's about breaking the chains of what society believes to be success" Matt explains, "and dealing with the judgment of others when you do. True success for me is to accept yourself 100%."

Full of determination, the soulful battle-cry is a sporting anthem in the making, with UFC middleweight champion of the world, Robert Whittaker featuring in the track's music video.

"Music has a close connection with sport," Matt says. "Rising Up is about a fight within myself, and when the chorus hits I really picture someone walking out into the ring."

In regards to having Robert Whittaker in the music video, Matt says "It was an honour working with him. Rob is the most driven, focused and determined person I have ever met and those qualities really shone through, it was incredible."

Robert Whittaker will be defending his title as middleweight champion of the world in Chicago on June 9.
Rising Up is available on all platforms.

The music video can be viewed here.

Interview with Matt Gresham

Question: How would you describe your music?

Matt Gresham: My music is an extension of myself; it's a place I go to for reflection, storytelling and just describing things I see day to day. I've always had a deep connection to lyrics and melodies.

I would describe my music as acoustic storytelling.

Question: What inspired the song Rising Up?

Matt Gresham: Rising Up is a song about the fight within yourself to achieve your version of success. Breaking those chains of what society thinks success is. In my opinion, the ultimate goal in life is to feel happy and feel free.


Question: What was it like to collaborate on Rising Up?

Matt Gresham: I wrote the song with two incredible songwriters out of Sydney, Robby Desa and Isabella Kearney Nurse. During the session, there was such a magical, almost spiritual atmosphere. Three people just meeting and writing about overcoming a fear of internal and external success, was straight fire!


Question: How did it come about that Robert Whittaker featured in the Rising Up video?

Matt Gresham: Robert is managed by the same team as me, 6 Degrees Group. I was on tour with Titus Day my manager and we talked about how amazing it would be to have a champion athlete in the film clip. It was such an honour for me to work with Rob, he's a gentleman and a real inspiration to me.


Question: What can we expect from the upcoming album?

Matt Gresham: My first debut release, Who am I Now, is a notebook of the last three years of my life, I think it's my finest pieces of work, carefully crafted into 17 songs. My goal with this record was to be 100% honest with my feelings; it is a very vulnerable record.


Question: What was it like touring with James Arthur and Vera Blue?
Matt Gresham: The James Arthur tour was incredible. I learnt so much on that tour about performing live and connecting with the audiences. It was especially lovely because my manager travelled with me so having feedback every night was amazing.

Vera Blue is one of my favourite Australian artists. It felt great to play shows in my home country, not to mention her incredible voice! I learnt a lot watching her performances.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Matt Gresham: My mum 100%. She's my best friend, my inspiration, she taught me everything I know about music and life and she always makes me feel so good about myself when I perform.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Matt Gresham: Performing live 100%. I love that you can get lost in the moment performing live, nothing compares to it.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Matt Gresham: I'm motivated the most when I'm away from home. Places that make you uncomfortable make you grow mentally and spiritually.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Matt Gresham: Drake on repeat! Tom Misch, Talib Kweli and Ben Harper of course. Just finished a writing session with Ryan Edmond, his music is epic too!

Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Matt Gresham: I've already collaborated with Talib, but he is definitely a huge inspiration for me. Stay tuned for my album, you might hear him on there.


Interview by Brooke Hunter