These Go to 11: interviewing Danny De La Matyr

It's been a long, very long time. But here we are, ready to revamp our beloved interview section! And who could be better for starting over than the musician responsible of one of our favourite albums of the year so far (look for him in our end-of-the year lists)? Without further ado, here are the answers to our questionnaire by the great Danny De La Matyr answers. These Go to 11!

Danny De La Matyr, keeping an eye on the sky

Danny De La Matyr

This multi-faceted Texan musician quickly became a name within the emergent scene of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Covering The Beatles and fronting the power-pop combo The Days were the first steps before moving to L.A., where he played with the likes of Rhett Miller, Jesse Malin or Lukas Haas. Next move was assembling his own band, The Sheers, with whom he released the LP 'Goodbye World' in 2006 and, later on, he joined Luther Russell on several albums and tours, as well as being part of 'Those Pretty Wrongs's debut album (Luther’s project with Big Star's legend Jody Stephens). In return, Russell produced the first De La Matyr's solo release, 'Lines b/w “How Can It Be' in 2013. And at the beginning of 2017, he released first full-length 'Crybaby' via the wise and most beloved label Pretty Olivia Records. An endearing, arresting, instant classic for anyone who loves melodies and harmony-driven rock, and a lot of soul and honesty pouring out a flawless collection of four minute gems. Here we go!

Blue, red and, of course, always pop...

1.First record that you bought (be honest)

Wow, a really tough thing to remember. The first thing that comes to mind is 'The Red Album' and 'The Blue Album' by The Beatles that were double records. The ones I bought were colored vinyl. I though that was so cool.

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)

The first concert i attended was Leon Redbone. My dad took me when I was 10 or so.

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)
'Right Down The Line' by Gerry Rafferty.

Sir Macca, the pop royalty

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)
My ’67 Gretsch Tennessean.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

'Something For You' by Sarabeth Tucek.

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)

Sir Paul McCartney ('kinda' obvious. I suppose).

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)

Always liked the real graphic style covers like 'XTC'’s English Settlement or Todd Rundgren’s 'Something/Anything'

'The Human Stain', Zuckerman in
the age of impeachment

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 

Books, 'The Human Stain' by Philip Roth

9. Song (of yours) you are most proud of
'How Can It Be'.

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
It means a lot of hard work. it means getting a lot of help from your friends. And most importantly, it means art first, no compromises.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 
I see myself collaborating with more, likeminded, songwriters. I have not done enough of that, and I think it makes one a better songwriter. I also see myself as way more prolific and perhaps producing some artists that I admire.

 Zillion thanks Danny!

Discoverer 19: new indie findings

Back with Sunday's music proposals!

Seapony. This trio from Seattle could be added to the ubiquitous sun-bathed lo-fi music trend. Yes, the surf pop's West Coast feeling, the fuzzed-out guitar and simple drum paths are there. But luckily, "Go With Me", their debut LP (they released an EP on 2010) out since May, has plenty to offer. There's tension in the album, between rockier tunes, Best Coast's style, and the poppier ones, getting closer to C86 spirit and showing a really attractive dreamy side, where Jen Weidl’s vocals shine in a particular, narcoleptic way. Seapony provides immediate fun, but also repeated listens to go deeper.

TV Girl. Sampling is not my thing, but this was a forced exception. Trung Ngo and Brad Petering come from San Diego and in October 2010 they released a praised self-titled EP, thanks to the addictive "If You Want It", that also gave them serious problems with Warner, as they sampled Todd Rundgren. After a split single with Dirty Gold in March, they are back with this "Benny and the Jetts" EP. Four stunning songs, full of references (dream-pop, lo-fi, 70s, soul), with a sweet melancholy transcending all debate about sampling. Just great music you can grab freely in their bandcamp or facebook!


Help Stamp Out Loneliness. Preparing a playlist, I recalled the indispensable "Songs About You" by The Language of Flowers. Searching to know what happened to the band, I found that Bentley Cooke and Colm McCrory formed a new band, and you know what? It's ace. HSOL are a sextet from Manchester with an eponymous first album, out since spring, that every indiepop lover should listen. Why? Because of D. Lucille Campbell vocals, the killer melodies, the keyboard parts, the dark lyrics, the jangly guitars... Could keep writing 'cause the only fault is an awful cover. Forgiveable when on the inside you have such a gem.