Matt DeAngelis is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter from Southern New Jersey, USA. He has been honing his craft as a songwriter since age 8 with the ultimate goal of spreading a positive outlook in a world that can be riddled with strife and negativity. Having been diagnosed with an OCD/anxiety disorder from his youth, Matt DeAngelis has internalized the time sensitive world around him and has learned through his strong faith to take a negative and turn it into a positive, which has been a guiding force in his development as a songwriter.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Matt Deangelis, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
I was always around music as my dad is a keyboard player and composer. Mom is a poet so I guess I became a combination of the two of them. My dad turned me on the David Bowie and other artists like The Beatles, Gentle Giant, Yes, Genesis, early Elton John and Billy Joel. I then began to write music at the age of 8. I also studied and had formal training in classical music as a concert pianist. I did piano competitions as well as playing in "Rock University" at the music school where I studied at age 10.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
The music I create is typically a mix of pop and progressive rock.
Your latest track is 'Real Future'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
Real Future is a song I composed based off of a dream I had about the end of the world. During the process of writing, I created a song that had elements of both the past and the future. It is a juxtaposition of 80's and current rock elements. Sort of "Back To The Future."
What are you focussing on right now?
I am currently in the studio working on upcoming singles that will be released over the course of the next year, as well as playing in a band throughout the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. including many casinos in Atlantic City and Philly.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
I am a big believer in practicing and honing my craft to become a better musician and performer each day. If I am improving with each song I compose and record, as well as each time I step out onto the stage, I feel like a success. I have launched my new website and have had close to or over 10,000 streams on at least 5 of my last released tunes on Spotify. I also have over 46K followers on Instagram. I continue to promote myself online and at each gig I play.
Have you ever participated in any music competitions? Did you win any prizes?
As a classically trained musician on the piano, I competed in classical competitions at a young age. However, I did not win actual prizes from these competitions. I did however, win best performer at the music school where I studied and performed classical piano yearly.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
If I had the chance to open for Elton John or Billy Joel, that would be incredible.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
My parents have always preached the art of patience and dedication. All good things come to those who wait. While others take precedence in their image and outward appearance, I choose to work quietly and let my hard work and music do the talking.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
The industry has become very superficial, between the overuse of technology and the shortened attention spans of both the audiences being targeted, as well as the industry as a whole. I am looking to change the mindset of musicians and others in the industry to appreciate organic music and remind them of their roots and I hope to influence the public to appreciate that type of music as well.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan on continuing to pursue my "original music" career by recording in the studio and releasing new songs with accompanying videos. I also plan on performing frequently in many venues across several states.