PREMIERE | My Silent Bravery Releases 'Everyday Is The Weekend'

Surf rock, pop, and wickedly languid guitar riffs make this song irresistible

Photo Courtesy My Silent Bravery

My Silent Bravery, aka Matthew Wade, just dropped Vol. 2 of Willing To Try, a planned trilogy of EPs, co-written with Jim McGorman. Three of the singles from Vol. 1 hit on multiple Billboard charts. The first single from Vol. 2 is "Everyday Is The Weekend," and premieres on Popdust.

Keep ReadingShow less
MUSIC

INTERVIEW | My Silent Bravery Spins Out Positive Vibes On 'Willing To Try'

Music that inspires, helps and motivates others to overcome challenges

My Silent Bravery is the musical project of singer-songwriter Matthew Wade, who recently finished a new album, called Willing To Try, co-written with Jim McGorman. The album will be released as three EPs over the next year. Willing To Try – Chapter 1 just dropped and is out now and includes three Billboard hit singles.

The positive vibes emanating from My Silent Bravery's music reflect his passion for "paying it forward," giving back to the world through music.

Popdust caught up with My Silent Bravery, asking him about his musical influences, his social awareness, and his new music.

How would you describe yourself?

Fun, passionate, and driven.

What's your backstory?

It's a long story! The short version is that I started making music when I was 18. I wrote my first song for a high school project of all things! I was traveling in Australia a few years later and working out in the gym and ended up herniating a couple of discs in my neck. The injury led me to do a lot of soul searching for pain relief which led to me to spirituality, more specifically Kabbalah. As a result of my studies in Kabbalah and working on myself, I realized I wanted to give back to the world at large and music was the vehicle I wanted to use to help spread a positive message. I think everything happens for a reason. My injury was the biggest challenge of my life so far, but from the biggest challenges also come the biggest blessings. The injury helped me recognize it's important to pay it forward and help others. I want to create music that inspires, helps, and motivates others to overcome their challenges

What is the most trouble you've ever gotten into?

Good question. I have never been asked this one before! When I was a teenager, I believe I was 13, I pierced my ear without my parent's permission and against their will. Big mistake lol. I got punished big time. 3 months grounding, 2 months no allowance, 1 month no TV.No Bueno lol.

What's your favorite song to belt out in the car or the shower?

It changes constantly pending what I am listening to. But right now, I have been belting out songs from the latest Red Hot Chili Peppers record, "The Getaway." I am loving this record and it actually works out well for me vocally as Anthony Kedis has a very similar range and I love the inflections in his voice. He is one of my favorite singers.

What musicians influenced you the most?

I would say my biggest musical influence is Bob Marley. I love how he promoted a message of peace and unity with his music. It's something that I try to adhere to with my music. Also, there is a philosophical, spiritual vibe to a lot of his music and lyrics. I have some of that in my music, but built with my own way and beliefs. In addition, I am a big fan of Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, The Police, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, 311, and countless others.

How, if at all, do your musical influences shape and impact your music?

Growing up I was always a huge fan of music, from Bob Marley (positive vibrations) to Dave Matthews Band (acoustic guitar driven) to Pearl Jam (Alternative Rock), my tastes were diverse and I appreciated a well-written song that inspired and could make you move or feel something emotionally.

How would you describe your style of music?

Inspirational Acoustic Alternative pop rock music!

Where do you find inspiration for your songs?

Most of my inspiration comes from life experience. I feel I really have to be connected to a song emotionally in order to go out, perform and promote it for an extended period of time. Every song has its own story and inspiration. I find I need the songs to resonate internally if I want others to be moved by them.For me, each song is a story, and I try to tell the story to the best of my ability. I then hope listeners connect with the stories, get drawn into them and relate emotionally and how it applies in their own lives.


What is your songwriting process? Do the lyrics come first, or the music?

I write the majority of my songs on the guitar. I usually come up with a chord progression that feels good and that is somehow inspiring to me. Then, I'll come up with a melody for the lyrics over that. Usually, the lyrics are the last thing to come and it's a lot of refining from there. It's like putting puzzle pieces together, but it's an unbelievable feeling when the puzzle is completed.

You obviously have a social conscience. Why is it important for artists to make their voices heard in socio-cultural issues?

I think it's important for artists to make their voices heard because a lot of people look up to artists and are inspired by their work. I remember when I was a kid. If an artist I liked started bringing an issue to the forefront, I was much more likely to pay attention. I remember when Pearl Jam was fighting ticket master or the Beastie Boys organized the Tibetan Freedom Concert.My last single "Girl You Think You Know" tackled some of the pressures people encounter with social media and how they feel the need to post things in order to get the most amount of fanfare. In particular, how difficult it must be for the younger generation and women in particular to grow up in this day and age with the pressures that come with being on social media.

I really like your music video "18." How did it come about? There's a retro-1980s vibe to the music video. What inspired you to move in that musical direction?

Thanks so much! I wrote "18" with my good friend and producer Jim McGorman (Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne, Goo Goo Dolls) a couple years back. Ironically, it was the first song we ever wrote together and it's my favorite on my new record, Willing to Try. We wanted to write something anthemic and about that feeling of what it was like to be young and free. It took on a nostalgic feel as well with some of the pop culture referenced in the song which led to the idea of the music video.Making the music video was sort of a long and arduous process to bring the vision to life until my mgmt. and I connected with the guys at Ocelot.My manager, Evan Stein, and I were very involved with the vision of the video and gave some flexibility to the guys at Ocelot to bring it to life. It was inspired by the neo-eighties aesthetics of shows like The Americans and Stranger Things. To me it's like a high school rom-com or short John Hughes movie.


You just dropped a new EP, called Willing To Try. What makes this EP different from your previous releases?

Yes! The new album is called Willing to Try, which I co-wrote with Jim McGorman as mentioned. The album features twelve tracks and it will be released in 3 separate EPs over the next year or so. The first one just dropped and features three Billboard hit singles! Sonically, the new songs blend modern synths and keyboards along with acoustic guitars and atmospheric electrics.I think what makes it the most different is that I co-wrote this whole new body of work with Jim. My first several albums I wrote the majority of the material on my own because I felt like in some way I need to have complete ownership of the material. The last couple of years I have been co-writing nearly all my material and it has opened me and my music up to so many different possibilities and ideas and I feel the music has benefitted significantly. I think my brand and message has stayed consistent over the years.I am still all about "paying it forward" and feel like my mission in life is to help inspire others to do the same by delivering a positive message to the masses through the music of My Silent Bravery.

Will you be touring soon?

Yes! I have tour dates this weekend supporting Trapt. I also have a summer tour booked which I will be announcing very soon!Be on the lookout on my website and socials.

Follow My Silent Bravery on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Keep ReadingShow less