Matt Dorsey Discusses His musical Journey, Sound of Contact, solo album Let Go & more on The Hang!

The Hang! As Seen On Almost Famous Magazine!

In this captivating episode of The Hang, Scott sits down with the incredibly talented singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Matt Dorsey.

Known for his versatile work as a bassist, guitarist, and vocalist, Matt Dorsey has made a name for himself in the progressive rock world, notably with his involvement in bands like Sound of Contact and various collaborations with musicians such as Dave Kerzner. In this one-on-one interview, Matt opens up about his unique musical journey, the impact of philosophy, songwriting, and his perspective on the evolving nature of the music industry.

Matt’s passion for music was sparked early on by a musical family environment. He shares how his father’s jazz piano playing and his brothers’ involvement in drums and guitar created a natural progression for him to pick up the bass guitar at 15 years old. Influenced by bands like The Police, Matt recalls learning bass lines to iconic songs like "Message in a Bottle" on a guitar missing strings. This raw, instinctive beginning laid the foundation for Matt's lifelong love for music. He reflects on those formative years, crediting them as a key part of shaping his musical direction.

“It was the best hobby in the world. Music is mysterious and magical.”

What started as a hobby soon became much more, as Matt embraced music not only as a creative outlet but as a therapeutic experience. In this conversation, he explains how the act of creating music brings a sense of bliss and fulfillment that has carried him through his career. The discussion touches on his role in the groundbreaking prog-rock band Sound of Contact, where Matt contributed his bass, guitar, and vocals to the 2013 concept album "Dimensionaut". Despite the band dissolving after only one record, Matt expresses deep gratitude for being part of the project.

“I’m still shocked by the responses we get from fans raving about that album, even after 10 years.”

One of the standout aspects of Matt’s music is its depth, something he attributes in part to his education in philosophy. In this interview, Matt discusses how philosophical concepts and critical thinking shape the themes in his lyrics, from the metaphysical nature of existence to the human condition. This perspective allows him to explore complex ideas in a way that resonates emotionally with listeners, making his songwriting both introspective and relatable.

Throughout his career, Matt has been known for his ability to fuse genres, blending progressive rock with elements of pop, jazz, and even electronic music. He highlights the importance of collaboration in this creative process, especially his ongoing partnership with Dave Kerzner, who has had a profound influence on many of Matt's projects. Their work together has pushed the boundaries of prog rock while still maintaining an emotional core that speaks to fans of multiple genres.

Matt also reflects on how the music industry has transformed over the years, especially with the rise of digital platforms and streaming services. He talks about the pros and cons of this shift, noting how it has democratized music distribution but also created challenges for artists in terms of revenue and visibility. Despite these changes, Matt is optimistic about the opportunities for independent artists, emphasizing the importance of building a direct connection with fans through behind-the-scenes content, demos, and more personal engagement online.

One of the more nostalgic elements of this conversation is Matt's thoughts on the decline of communal music listening. In a world where personal devices dominate, the shared experience of listening to an album with friends or family has become rare. Matt reflects on the importance of these experiences in his own musical upbringing and laments the loss of these communal moments in today's music culture.

As the conversation wraps up, Matt shares exciting news about his upcoming projects, including collaborations and solo work. He hints at new music that continues to blend his love for multiple genres and dives deeper into themes of resilience, personal growth, and the ever-changing world. With several tour dates on the horizon, fans can expect to see Matt back on stage, delivering the dynamic performances he’s known for.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of Matt Dorsey or just discovering his music, this interview offers a rare, intimate glimpse into his life, his creative process, and the driving forces behind his art. Matt’s passion for music, his philosophical approach to songwriting, and his willingness to embrace the evolving music landscape make him a standout figure in the world of progressive rock and beyond.