Matthew Primous
Known as a R&B/soul artist with an enigmatic side, Matthew Primous's new single ‘I Wish You Were Here’ has exploded on radio and put this artist on the world map.
BLAKE: Let's just get this out in the open- What is the craziest thing that has happened to you in your music career?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: When my song A Ride hit number #1 on the charts that blow my mind and I never thought that could happen. It was incredible and amazing. I thank all my fans and I thank God. It was simply incredible! Then my song A Ride hit number #1 again that same year, four months later from the first number 1. It has been an unbelievable year. Last but not least, I thank the woman that inspired me. I remembered the long road in music and I remembered where I came from. A songwriter and singer with a dream to be something and now I can finally say that this happen.
BLAKE: Your song ’I Wish You Were Here’ is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: I was excited that everybody took the song personally. It was a love song. Something new that I was working on in previous years, I believe that songs should make you feel something and say something about love. Everybody can relate to love and everybody can relate to music. I want all my fans to know that I care about their input and feelings as I choose the song to play on the radio. It is a trust we have that I am investing in right along with them.
BLAKE: What was the inspiration behind your radio single?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: I sung about a relationship issue I had with a woman that I love. She did not know how much I missed her. She did not know that I really loved her. She did not know why I would hate for her to leave. We were better than good friends and we prove it, but she had to leave me and I realize that she did not have much of a choice. This is the emphasis behind the song. I am singing about what happen and what I wanted to tell her.
BLAKE: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: I am just impressed that you called my music great art. Well about a decade ago, I gotten really ill and I did not think that I could do music again but my voice healed where I would sing different times of the day just because it was in my heart to sing. I also was going through bad relationships and that made me want to reflect my feelings expressing myself musically. All this catastrophe made me a better artist I would say because I realize how precious and sacred music was to my recovery.
BLAKE: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: Another great accomplishment was being recognized by being placed in Pop/R&B/Soul music genres because I think this describes perfectly who I am. I like to have hot beats like Pop and I like to move smoothly to those beats. Pop is what my playful childhood was about and I thank my parents for that. Then there is R&B, I was told when I performed ‘Precious Lord’ by Thomas Dorsey in Voice Class in high school that I have this natural R&B sound with me and that was just with the piano playing. And Soul, I think of Christian & Gospel sound, I like to emphasis and draw out feelings.
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BLAKE: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: Akademia has been very supportive. They are incredible and simply amazing. I got to the Top of the Charts Number 1 twice in the same year on the same song. I respect them in everyway for their hardwork getting my song heard by 188 major radio stations throughout the world. I never thought that the people would listen so closely to my music. It truly testifies to the power in the music when listeners all over the world are responding to your music. They bring good news every month and the response is great.
BLAKE: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: My grandmother used to sing and she taught me how to sing at 6 years old. I had to make good grades in elementary first because my mother and father stressed an importance on academics first then music. I still kept this practice until after I left college when I reached number 1 then I realized that my music dreams were true. I did joined the school choir in middle school, which was based on auditions and we learned how to act along with the music. I almost Ace a keyboard class in middle school. In high school, I learned how to play a little piano and sing along with it. The recorder was my first instrument and I was one of the best players in the class practicing Beethoven and Star Spangled Banner.
BLAKE: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: I bubble over and over again when people are listening to my music and not just listening because it is cool but listening because it is their music. I like it when people accept my music as art because it means that I have done my job. This can also be my challenge trying to make everybody enjoy my music. I have to write and performed about challenging situations. I try to stay away from sounding revolutionary or revolting. I would like to be remembered in a good way and be celebrated for bringing people together.
BLAKE: Who are your role models in music?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: I learned about Marian Anderson and I am still considering her ways in music. She is a role model because she showed grace, beauty, and longevity. I learned from her how to maintain my position in music. I like reaching the high notes and being able to pronounced words at different ranges. I like taking command of the stage and drawing attention to concerns. After reaching this achievement, I enjoy the drama and joys of the stage.
BLAKE: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: I have to say doing this song. I was working in the studio and trying to figure out how to express myself in the words. I don't like doing sad songs but I love a love song. As you can tell in the song I tried to act hurt and desperate because I did not know what to do to show that this man was desperately in love with this woman that left him. In the end, I realize that I truly love this song because it is vivid, memorable, and beautiful.
BLAKE: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: I would tell them to listen to my music if they want to learn about life and love. I would tell them to realize who they are and to be happy with yourself. I believe that they should get all the training that they feel they need, even if it takes going to college and mastering in music like I did. They should not force the gift of music though because I believe it is a born talent.
BLAKE: What's next for you as an artist? Is there an album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
MATTHEW PRIMOUS: Well I am working with MSP Company Records on two YouTube Channels. MP Channel (Matthew Primous) at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQdko-CDkP-hkJDpzKUmZrw/videos MP Channel 2 (Matthew Primous 2) at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVnhrCmwqbXDOQvI7P1uafg We launched these two channels a couple of years ago and 8 of our videos appeared on YouTube's other channels- 4 videos on YouTube's Christian & Gospel Channel and 4 videos on YouTube's Pop Channel. So all I have to say is keep watching for the latest and the best videos from Matthew Primous at least 40 videos and ads. Subscribe for FREE!
BLAKE: That sounds great! Thank you for giving us a peek into your life as an artist. I wish you continued success in your career.
http://www.theakademia.com/artistkit/MatthewPrimous-IWishYouWereHere.html
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