Photo Credit: Courtney Davidson
There are a lot of things kids wind up catching as kids, from chicken pox to common colds, but the bug that Matthew Mayfield wound up bringing home is what led him to where he is today. We started this chat talking about his “music bug,” but quickly got into his mindset and songwriting over the last few years, his Alabama roots, and more like the timelessness of his May 17th release, ‘PRIZEFIGHTER.’ All of that and more awaits below!
Kendra: Alabama has played an integral part in music history, but how did you find yourself enamored with the art form? Is there a specific artist from Alabama or an album that inspired you to be more than just a fan?
Matthew Mayfield: I was just a little kid when I caught the “music bug.” My dad, who’s an Alabama native, showed me a few chords on a guitar that’s currently sitting next to me on the couch. That kickstarted my rock n’ roll heart. There have been so many incredible songs cut in the Shoals at FAME / Sound Studios here in our little southern state. I truly feel that the inspiration is in the water. When I saw the “Muscle Shoals” documentary in 2013, it only affirmed that feeling. I can’t pick an album (as there are too many great ones), but I can say that Jason Isbell and John Paul White are carrying a torch of both Authenticity and Compassion rooted in Alabama soil.
Kendra: It’s been a minute since your last release, 2019’s ‘Gun Shy.’ I think we all sort of took some breaks after that year for obvious reasons. For you though, what was the moment during the past few chaotic years that made you go, okay – it’s time to get back to making music?
Matthew Mayfield: It seems that there were two types of artists during the COVID-19 pandemic: those who felt inspired and those who felt stuck in the mud. One isn’t better than the other…they’re just different. I was definitely part of the latter crowd.
I wrote more than I ever have during those couple of years, but the songs SUCKED. They were terrible. I think that was simply a result of not being able to demo the music in front of a live audience full of real human beings. Sure, I did online shows like everyone else, but I didn’t feel the magic of songwriting / the way it changes the temperature in any given room.
However, once I had the chance to get back in the studio at my “home away from home” – The Smoakstack – it all started to change. I needed some encouragement. I needed someone in my corner. I needed to feel like I still had the fight in me. Much like a boxer’s manager, Paul Moak believed in me and gave me the green light to keep pushing and keep persevering. You can hear that on every song on ‘PRIZEFIGHTER.’
Kendra: The result was this year’s ‘PRIZEFIGHTER,’ an album that has some anti-hero elements to it. With that, what infamous fictional anti-hero do you feel would add this record to their Spotify library, and why?
Matthew Mayfield: This certainly isn’t much of an original answer, but I’d say Batman and Wolverine. They’d share a silent longing to be understood, while still projecting a sense of strength for the sake of others’ safety.
Kendra: Perhaps someone like Walter White would love “Breathe Out In Black?” I went with a TV character because you’ve had your music featured on several shows on the small screen, and I think using music such as yours gives way to a scene feeling sort of timeless because your style doesn’t appear to have a time stamp. Is that something you’re conscious of when working on music, like how will this sound in 10-20 years?
Matthew Mayfield: “Timeless” is the ultimate compliment for a songwriter…so thank you so much for that. All of my heroes are timeless. Great songs are timeless. There will always be trends in this art form, but only the iconic figures will continually shine with undeniability. Time will tell if I am one of those folks or not.
Kendra: Time for a side note – With it being May, there are a lot of graduations happening across the country right now, and I’d love for you to share a song with the collective class of 2024. So what song would you dedicate to them? It can be one of yours or another artist’s song.
Matthew Mayfield: “History” – Matthew Mayfield
“Leash” – Pearl Jam – ’93
“I am lost, I’m no guide…but I’m by your side…
I am right by your side.”
Kendra: Lastly, with ‘PRIZEFIGHTER’ out on May 17th, what else can the people expect as we start to roll into summer?
Matthew Mayfield: All I want is to be on the road with passion and conviction – armed with these songs. Catch me about six weeks into a tour, and my answer will be “CAN WE GO HOME?”
