“Superstar” yields rising star
Maddie K.
culture editor
If
you are what you say you are
A superstar
Then have no fear
The camera’s here.
One of KDWB’s most recent hits is Lupe Fiasco’s “Superstar.” But the haunting refrain we find ourselves singing is not the voice of Fiasco but of 25-year-old Minneapolis native Matthew Santos.
Fiasco and Santos were introduced through their sound engineer, Greg Magers, and along with Rihanna and N.E.R.D, they’re opening for Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark Tour this Spring/Summer. I had the privilege of interviewing Santos between shows.
Q: Do you think that “Superstar” was your “big break”, that it was something else, or that it hasn’t happened yet?
A: “Superstar” is unique because it has been somewhat of a big break for me in that it has given me international exposure, but I don’t think it’s my big, big break. People still haven’t seen what I do with my art yet. Most people know me for singing the hook on a song that’s not mine.
Q: How do you describe your music?
A: My music is based on dynamics and soul, so it’s really hard for me to classify. It’s more of a folk-alternative-rock-blues-jazzsoul- fusion type of thing.
Q: What is it like to be meeting all these famous artists, opening for Kanye West, and doing shows like Letterman?
A: It’s cool…a little exciting. As far as famous celebrities go, you meet them and you realize that even though you’ve seen them a hundred times on TV, they’re just regular people. A couple weeks ago in L.A., I played a couple shows and got to meet Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z. They had very nice things to say about my music. It’s encouraging to hear industry people talk about my music that way.
Q: What is it like to hear yourself on the radio?
A: Honestly, it’s funny to me a little bit. My family and my friends get a little more excited about it than I do. I am excited by it, and as much as I appreciate the exposure, I don’t really listen to the radio much.
Q: Is being a singer/musician as fun as it seems like it would be or is it a ton of work?
A: It’s a little bit of both. Sometimes it’s a whole lot of fun. Other times you get two hours of sleep and then you have a five hour bus ride to the next city. There’s a lot of work involved. When you go on a big tour like this, you’re giving two months of your life to this tour. Granted, you have free time every now and then. You make a lot of sacrifices to live this lifestyle. It’s not always glamorous, that’s for sure. But I think the benefits outweigh the downfalls.
Q: Do you have a favorite song or two that you’ve written?
A: That’s like naming your favorite children of all the ones you’ve had. I don’t really have a favorite.
Q: As for song writing, where does your inspiration come from?
A: Inspiration is really a tricky thing. You have to be ready when it comes ‘cause it comes at the strangest times. You could wake up in the middle of the night and have to go to the bathroom and while you’re doing your thing, a melody will come to you. If you’re not ready to somehow remember or record it, that’s a spark of inspiration lost. When the inspiration comes which is the beginning process for a lot of songs, when that first spark comes to light that fire, you have to be ready to nurture it.
Q: For fans who don’t know you and your music, where do you recommend they begin?
A: Basically I have two pieces of work out right now. One is called As the Crow Flies which is a six song EP that was released in 2006. That sort of exemplifies my early work with the full band. There are some gemstones, particularly songs called “O’ Montreal” and “Shadows in a Shoebox.” I’m finishing with a solo record I recorded last November and that is for those who are feeling more of a raw intermittent vibe. It was all recorded live at the studio to really exemplify the essence and soul of the songs instead of the highly produced representation of the song.
Q: For the young musicians trying to get recognized, what advice do you have?
A: It’s not really about recognition. It’s more about finding what you love. It’s more important to follow your heart than to sacrifice your integrity just for simple recognition. ‘Cause recognition and admiration are not the same as love. A lot of people mistake the two. My advice is just follow your heart and play your music.