Matt Steven’s brand new musical project The Easter Parade is about ready for launch, with its debut single ‘Sing Our Kids to Sleep’ to be released on the 1st of November. He takes his inspiration from artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Nick Cave, and Salvador Sobral. The Easter Parade is undoubtedly and unapologetically unique, which is why we had to talk to Matt about his project, below he’ll elaborate on how the project came to be, what inspires him, how he writes, and what his future plans are!
Hi! Could you introduce yourself and your project? “Hi, I’m Matt Steven, a musician, producer, and songwriter from the Midlands, UK. My project is called The Easter Parade, and I work from my recording studio, Indigo Scala, based in Northamptonshire. Although I haven’t released any original music in about eight years, I’m currently working on my first EP ‘Raindrops on the Lens’, with the first single, ‘Sing Our Kids to Sleep’, out on the 1st of November. Recently, I’ve been inspired by going back to the basics, focusing on the song in its more traditional sense, rather than starting with production. This has allowed me to reconnect with the fundamental elements of song writing and rediscover a voice that might have something different or unique to say.”
Where do you find inspiration for your lyrics and music, and what is your process for writing music? “The goal with this project was to write as if I were scoring an old black-and-white film. Each song is built with the intention of evoking a nostalgic and cinematic atmosphere. A key inspiration has been Ennio Morricone’s score for Once Upon a Time in America, which is a masterpiece. This approach has influenced my song writing process, which has become pretty old-school. I basically sit down at the piano and see what happens. It can be hard and tedious at times, but it works for me. I usually focus on chords and melody first, often using placeholder lyrics, and then finish the lyrics during the production phase. All the songs are recorded at my studio on an industrial estate in the Midlands, UK.”
How did you find the right people to work with on this release and future releases? “I’ve been fortunate to build a strong network of talented friends and collaborators over the years. I tend to stick with people I trust and enjoy working with. Some collaborators have been in-person, while others contributed remotely from various parts of the world. Some played instruments, such as strings, while others helped with mastering or lent me their ear and offered feedback. Everyone has played a vital role in bringing the project to life and I am so thankful to them all.”
Who do you hope to reach with your music, and what do you hope they take from it? “The ultimate goal is for people to find some form of escape or maybe a sense of hope in the music, whether from the lyrics or the overall sound. I haven’t overthought this aspect too much, as the project has become such a useful creative outlet for me. If other people connect with it, then that’s a bonus.”
What’s coming in 2025 in terms of sound, releases, and live plans? “First, I have a new single out on 1st November called Sing Our Kids to Sleep. Early in 2025, I’ll be releasing my first EP, Raindrops on the Lens, with more releases to follow after that. As for live shows, I’d love to perform, but logistically it’s tricky due to the layered and string-heavy nature of the arrangements. I’m working on figuring that out, because It would be great.”
Where do you hope your music will take you in the next few years? Let’s dream big! “Honestly, I don’t have any over the top or grand plans for this project. The aim is simply to write songs that resonate with people and keep doing that. I’d love to play live shows and possibly explore multimedia opportunities, such as working on short films etc. I’d also like to finish enough material to release a full album, and perhaps do a vinyl pressing or two.”
Give us your best quick pitch on why you think people will connect with your music. Where can they listen to it? “If you’re a fan of old movies, you might enjoy the sound of my music. If you like piano-based music, it could be your thing too. It’s definitely polarising, and I’m acutely aware that it won’t resonate with everyone. But maybe you’ll be one of the lucky few it does connect with?”
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