Matthew James of Phatt James Talks Inspirations, Fly Fishing, and Fame
Interview ★ Kenzie Gay ★ @kenzwrites
“It’s not about being well known or famous. For a lot of us; it’s just simply about feeling driven to create and trying to make a living off it”.
Phatt James is a rising rock band based in the Northeastern United States composed of frontman Matthew James (guitar, vox.), Chris Wilson (drums), and Matt Christoforo (bass). We had the opportunity to chat with Matthew about the group and its journey, inspirations, and more below.
Phatt James photographed by Cameron Cyr
It has been said that you strive to channel the essence of the bands Incubus and Red Hot Chili Peppers, who are some other artists that have influenced the band’s work?
Alice In Chains, John Butler Trio, Jeff Buckley, Pearl Jam, Wolf Alice. I listen to Eminem, Keith Urban, J.Cole too. I’m all over the place and could make a never-ending list.
How did the COVID 19 pandemic impact the band and its journey?
We were crushing it after moving from New Hampshire to Connecticut. We were booking shows in New York City and we were most excited about a show we landed at Toad’s Place in New Haven on a Friday night, which ended up being the night and weekend Covid really took hold. We had to cancel the show and had a house party instead, but we’re still super bummed. When one door closed, Chris, Matty C, and I slammed open another and hit the ground running by making an album in Chris’ parents’ basement. We didn’t know fully what we were doing, but we were driven to make use of our time. We ended up making “Just Begun,” an album we are very proud of. So Covid helped us in the end!
Can you walk us through the evolution of one of your songs from initial idea to final recording? What changed along the way?
A song just hangs around for a while. If I lose touch with it for too long, it’s gonna get thrown in the pile. It starts with a voice recording of what feels to be magic. It isn’t always and I get too eager sometimes. Then those really magical riffs start sticking around and the ones that do naturally then require further attention, either more guitar parts or a melody. When I’m writing guitar parts, it can happen just from picking up the guitar and having some other idea that’s been hanging around in my head influence what I play right then and there. It can also be some other idea from forever ago that fits like a puzzle. A lot of other times, just jamming with no judgement and entertaining wherever your fingers go brings about an idea. Almost like letting your fingers lead you to the chords to play. This is also super beneficial when using my voice to write. Just start singing with no judgement and there will be a melody you might like.
How do you balance the business side of music with the creative side, and do you ever feel that one sometimes overshadows the other?
The business side is tough for me and I’d like to improve. I mean, it’s not what we get into it for, but it’s a means to accomplishing what we want, so it’s important. We all work day jobs so we are not dependent on our music monetarily. That does give some freedom to the creative side because we don’t have that kind of influence on our music. That being said, it takes work and drive because we only have so much free time for our music endeavors. We make it happen though, and I’d say that might be what gets overshadowed with so many independent artists.
Have you ever had a defining moment where you all felt completely in sync as a band? What was that experience like?
Right when Matty C showed up for practice the first time after he responded to our Craigslist ad. We just immediately started jamming, not even a song, and we could all feel the connection, I’m sure. Matty C’s tone fit right in with what Chris and I were looking for in our sound. Matty C is also insanely intuitive on the bass and understood our original music right away. We all knew we were supposed to make music together.
What’s a non-musical passion or interest you have that influences your creativity or adds to your work as a band?
Fishing, surfing, skateboarding, drawing. Those all have had influence, but none so much as fly fishing. The hours on the river are great to feel inspired and add a simple purpose to be alive. Those moments definitely inspire me.
What does success mean to you beyond record sales, chart positions, or accolades?
We have succeeded already. I’ve been saying this for a while, since we started recording our EP “Circle Bent” professionally. All I want to do is write songs and record them, if nothing else. That being said, we have fans who know all of the words to our music. That is always incredible. We’ve had music in a movie! Our music is on the radio! We’re doing this interview!! This is success to me on top of the success of just writing a song.
What’s one thing about the music industry or being in a band that you wish more people understood?
It’s not about being well known or famous. For a lot of us; it’s just simply about feeling driven to create and trying to make a living off it. If I could live in the country and make music from afar and send it on regular tours as well with boys, that’s what I’d want. However big that could get would be up to the universe and hard work, but it’s sure not about moving to Hollywood and being the most liked!
What’s next for the band after this current project or album cycle? Are there new ideas or collaborations you’re excited about exploring?
We are hitting the studio to record some new music!! That’s heavy on our minds, as well as learning some new covers to record and video. We have been writing here and there over some time now so, we have some new material as well as some archived songs we should really get after and we will.
