We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Matt Long. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Matt below.
Hi Matt , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I’ve lived in Nashville now for 3 years and imposter syndrome is a real thing. There have been so many times where I have wanted to quit because I think I am a fraud or just not good enough. In a city where music is everything, it can be quite difficult to “be successful” when everyone around you is insanely talented. There are people that can sing better than I can, play guitar better than I can, and are just better looking than I am. To combat that feeling of being a phony or a fraud, I have tried to create a network of friends and colleagues that encourage one another. Whether it’s going out for coffee or a meal or writing together, I surround myself with people who generally care about me. Another thing that I try and do to combat imposter syndrome is find things I enjoy and go do them. This could be going for walks, seeing a movie by myself, going to the lake, hiking, ect… I find that when I am doing things that bring me joy (outside of music), I am reminded of why I started playing music to begin with and usually find myself becoming more creative than when I am trying to “make content” because I think other people will enjoy it. At the end of the day, my goal is to find joy in what I do. Not just get approval of complete strangers.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Over the past five years, my journey in the Artist/Entertainment space has been an incredible experience. Music has always held a special place in my heart, and the exhilarating feeling of performing in front of an audience is something I cherish deeply. In 2018, I wrote and recorded my first EP titled “Talk of the Town,” which showcased four unique and heartfelt songs. Since then, my musical journey has led me to release three more singles, each representing a significant step in my creative evolution.
Navigating the artistic landscape in the vibrant and creative town of Nashville has been both inspiring and challenging. With so many talented artists around me, I felt the weight of expectations and the need to find my distinctive voice within this bustling community. These past three years have been a journey of self-discovery as I tried to uncover the essence of the music I want to share with the world.
In the coming months, I have some exciting new music on the horizon. However, I’m still in the process of carefully selecting which songs to release and which ones to set aside for the time being. The goal in releasing music is to remain genuine and authentic to myself, while also offering my listeners a fresh and distinctive outlook on the various challenges we encounter in the world.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I believe one of the most crucial pieces of advice in this industry is to strive for self-sufficiency. Being your own photographer, producer, and social media manager allows you to maintain greater control over the product you present to the world—essentially, it’s you! In today’s 24/7 social media-driven world, platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify play a significant role in showcasing your music to a global audience. By having more control over your content, you can create a cohesive and authentic image.
However, If there’s something you can’t do, consider finding someone with the expertise and pay them for their services. There’s no shame in asking for assistance to ensure your music reaches its full potential.
In the digital age, a wealth of online tutorials and guides is readily available for almost any skill you want to learn. Embrace the concept of failing forward—remember, it’s okay to fail, as long as you learn and improve from each experience. Perfection is elusive, and even those who excel in their craft faced numerous failures along their journey to success.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
The answer is always yes! However, I don’t just wanna collaborate with anyone, I want the right people for the job. I want people who are kind, people who work hard, people who can have a good time and not take life too seriously, people who are good at their craft. Working together doesn’t just mean writing/producing a song! It means that we pour our souls into it because we believe what we are doing will impact the people who will hear it. If this sounds like you, reach out to me via IG @mattlongmusic
Contact Info:
- Website: mattlongmusic.com
- Instagram: @mattlongmusic
- Facebook: facebook.com/mattlongsmusic
- Other: https://linktr.ee/mattlongmusic
Image Credits
Erik James Brian Viebranz Chaz Mazzota Mark Allee Tamara Meyer
