Most of us Switchfoot fans had never heard of Moses Mayfield, a talented band from Alabama, until the Oh! Gravity tour, but a lot of us quickly became hooked on their catchy songs and insightful lyrics. I had the pleasure of meeting Matthew, and I was equally impressed with him as a person and I quickly looked into getting an interview with the guys. We contacted the guys and scheduled an interview so read on to see what Matthew has to say about singing frogs, touring with Switchfoot, fans and Moses Mayfield.
For more info on Moses Mayfield music, visit their myspace or website:
+ http://www.myspace.com/mosesmayfield
+ http://www.mosesmayfield.com/
Land of Broken Hearts(LOBH): Thanks so much for doing this interview with us. Let’s get started
Matthew Mayfield: Sounds good.
LOBH: What was it like touring with the Switchfoot guys?
Matthew: It was amazing…those guys are the real deal. Musically, they’re really tight–completely together. They can read each other onstage in a way that’s tough to describe. [You] gotta see it from behind the stage. As people, they’re absolutely the kindest, most accommodating band we’ve ever been out with. In my opinion, they’re the most genuine guys in rock-n-roll.
LOBH: How did you get the gig as their opening act? Did they select you or was it through booking agents?
Matthew: It was pretty organic actually, [though] you’re not out of line to assume about the agent thing. A friend of ours at Sony gave them our record and it went over with all of them. Jon called me a few weeks later and told me that they like to be out with bands whose music they can enjoy. After all, they’re stuck with us for 6 weeks….
LOBH: True. What was your best show on the tour?
Matthew: Well…they’re were 2 that stand out the most. Portland, Oregon and Norfolk, Virginia. The venues were absolutely incredible and the crowds were rabid. They were completely attentive and seemed to be grateful for our music…it’s nice when art is embraced like that. Especially by people who’ve never heard of us…
LOBH: I could see how that would be appreciated especially since some people just consider opening acts time killers before the “main event”.
Matthew: Yeah…we can’t tell the Switchfoot fans how much we appreciate their support. They were amazing and so good to us….so thank YOU too.
LOBH: On behalf of all of us SF fans…you are welcome. Do you have any crazy behind the scenes tour stories to share with us?
Matthew: Well… maybe a few. In the parking lot in Tempe, Arizona we all gathered round for a bon fire of sorts. Switchfoot had a really annoying singing frog on their bus, [so] we decided to put him out of his misery by burning him. He sang all the way to the death… really creepy.
LOBH: Whoa. You mean like an electronic frog?
Matthew: Yeah…ironically, it sang “What a Wonderful World” on it’s way out…
LOBH: Ha ha! What a naive little guy. Does Switchfoot KNOW you guys killed him?
Matthew: Oh yes….they were in on it.
LOBH: So besides the burning of the frog, is there one moment of the Oh! Gravity tour that really stands out to you? Something you’ll tell your grandkids about?
Matthew: For me personally, the night Jon came out and sang the U2 song ‘Running To Stand Still’…it was a really beautiful moment for me….
LOBH: How did Moses Mayfield get started?
Matthew: We started out about 5 years ago. [We] met at a small college in Birmingham, and we all dropped out to pursue the band full time. Working out ok so far…
LOBH: Ha ha well I guess dropping out of college isn’t always a bad thing (though you didn’t hear that here people!). Who writes the songs? What is the writing process?
Matthew: I guess I’m the main writer in the band. The process is a little tricky to describe…usually, there’s an initial spark–a melody or a guitar part–that gets the wheels turning. Sometimes I’ll catch the rest of the song in one sitting…but usually it takes some crafting over time.
LOBH: What is your favorite song from your repertoire?
Matthew: [It is] always shifting. At the moment, the title track ‘The Inside’ is my favorite.
LOBH: What do you hope listeners will take away from Moses Mayfield, lyrically and musically?
Matthew: A feeling. Something that thought or logic can’t offer. That’s what art is for.
LOBH: I really like that. Along those lines, who are some artists that inspire you?
Matthew: I’m inspired by so many people…u2, Peter Gabriel, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, David Ford, and most recently, your boy Jon Foreman. He’s got such a heartfelt care for people…no matter who you are. You can see it in his eyes. That’s very rare in this world.
LOBH: Definitely. What are Moses Mayfield’s future plans?
Matthew: Touring seems to be at the forefront of our agenda at the moment. Trying to open people ears a fan at a time…. one show at a time.
LOBH: Just living a day at a time. Well now we have some random just for fun questions. What is one event you would take a time machine to?
Matthew: The end of it all…I’d like to see [that].
LOBH: What 5 CD’s are getting the most play time on your ipod?
Matthew: Let’s see…right now I’ve got 4 CD’s in the changer: The Strokes–’First Impressions of Earth’; Pearl Jam–’vs.’; Oasis –’Be Here Now’; Coldplay –’x & y’
LOBH: What is one reality show you would have a chance at winning?
Matthew: “Who Wants to Put an End to All this Bullshit Reality TV?” I really think I’ve got a shot there.
LOBH: Ha ha that THAT is a reality show I might actually watch. I know you are busy, so we’ll close with our LOBH Three…which we ask to all our interviewee’s.
1. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given/heard?
Matthew: Best advice ever received: ‘Don’t fake it. It’s ok to be where you are…that’s where love makes the most sense.’
LOBH: 2. What’s one question you’ve never been asked and the answer?
Matthew: ‘Matthew, would you rather have a massage or an ear exam at the doctor’s office?’ A: Ear exam…any day.
LOBH: 3. What’s one song you wish you had written?
Matthew: I wish I was brilliant enough to write “State of the Union” by David Ford. I’s the most powerful piece of music I’ve heard in years.
LOBH: Matthew thanks so much for your time and we look forward to seeing what Moses Mayfield does next!
Matthew: Take care.