Artist Matthew Check Talks Songwriting, Jackson Browne, And Teases His Upcoming Music

This singer-songwriter is incredible!

Musician Matthew Check has made a great addition to the music industry. And today, he is a part of the collab single ‘Eitz Chayim’, alongside fellow music artist Naomi Less.

We had the amazing honor of talking with Matthew about playing guitar, New York City, and more!

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

M: “It’s funny – I don’t think of myself as having a “career” in music because it’s something I’ve just always done! But if I had to answer the question, I’d say it was the first music festival I played the banjo at. It was right after I graduated high school. By chance I had my banjo and was asked to play in a pick-up band in front of hundreds of people. I was hooked!”

What is your songwriting process usually like?

M: “There is a bit of mystery and magic for me when it comes to songwriting. Sometimes, there will be a lyric that will come to me. Other times, it’ll be a melodic idea. I always make voice memos on my phone so that when I sit down at the piano, I’m ready to write. In the “old days” before smart phones, I’d leave myself post notes of lyrical ideas and the basic chord progressions. I still write all my songs with paper and a #2 pencil (yes – that I sharpen with an old school pencil sharpener). I need to physically write my songs when they first come to life.”

When did you first learn how to play guitar?

M: “I’m not quite sure. The youngest must have been 7 or 8 years old. I was able to play by the time I was 12 because at summer camp I was taking song-leading workshops. My first real guitar is my mother’s Yamaha from the late 70s. After playing Martins for many years, I sold all of them and got my mother’s guitar fixed up and it is now my main guitar yet again decades later.”

In 2022, you released your amazing album ‘Without a Throne’. If you had to choose, what is your favorite song off of the album and why?

M: “First of all – thank you for your kind words! It was so much fun recording this album (actually Naomi’s husband – Glenn Grossman – is the drummer on this record so I just wanted to give him a shoutout!). If I had to pick a favorite song, I guess it would be The Very Beginning. All the songs were recorded live (you’re hearing me sing and play at the same time). We had a couple of magical takes with The Very Beginning in particular and I was just so amazed that we were able to nail the song so well as a live band. Honestly – I was the weakest link in the room. I needed to play just as good as the other amazing musicians in the room. It was a lot of pressure.”

If you could collab with a music artist on a song, who would it be and why?

M: “It would be my dream to meet Jackson Browne. He’s still my favorite songwriter. I’d honestly just love to sit and watch him work.”

How would you personally describe the music scene in Brooklyn?

M: “I wish I could answer that! I don’t play out much anymore. I’ve had many lives in New York City (I’ve been here for 17 years and am moving to Cincinnati, Ohio in June with my fiancé). In my first decade in the city (I moved here in 2006), I played in jams and pick-up bluegrass brunch gigs downtown all the time. Back then a person could hear bluegrass every night of the week in New York City. I’m sure it’s still around, but I just don’t seek it out anymore. I’ve concentrated more on my own original material since the pandemic and as a result, I’ve been playing with full bands at some of the popular venues with full bands since (Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, etc.) Before the pandemic, I really just played the banjo in other people’s projects.”

Can we expect more music from you in the future?

M: “I hope so! I’m releasing a live album that is kind of like “the best of” compilation of three live shows I played in 2022. For the late fall of this year, I’m going to be releasing just 4 songs that I tracked live on the piano with vocals (I basically just play the piano now).”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

M: “The best place to find all my stuff is on my website at Matthewcheckmusic.com.”

Stream ‘Eitz Chayim’, available now on all music platforms! #Naomiless #Matthewcheck

Photo Credit: Jesi Kelly

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene. When not helping her team and working on the monthly issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral Tasty recipe.