Pop rock artist Matthew Sweet wears many hats. From solo to Sid ‘n’ Susie. Though he is busy touring, PopWreckoning’s Thomas Starks caught up to the artist to talk the tour and his projects:
Thomas Starks, PopWreckoning: Hello Mr. Sweet, thank you so much for taking my call. I know we have a short time so I’ll get right into it. Talk to me a little about this Nov. 6th show at Eddie’s Attic. What’s going on with that?
Matthew Sweet: I’ve known Susanna (Susanna Hoffs) since the early 90’s, we had a few friends in common. When I moved here in 93, I just ran into her more and more. I got invited to a charity show with the Bangles, and I brought up that I liked her voice, we really wanted to do something. So we played at McCabe’s in LA. I played rock shows many years ago there. She invited Mike Myers, before the “Austin Powers” movies. He was still getting a hold of that character. So we all teamed up and started a small group called Ming Tea. That led to a song called “BBC” on the first movie, and then later we penned “Daddy Wasn’t There” on the “Gold Member” movie. 
TS: It’s amazing how those small meetings turn into great projects. So is this a tour for you both then?
MS: Oh it’s not even a tour, it’s just a small thing we are doing.
TS: Does it allow you to let loose a bit though?
MS: A little scary cause it makes you naked, but also very freeing.
TS: Now you recently released Under The Covers 2, a collection of covers from the 1970’s. What process went into picking the songs and artists you covered?
MS: We get asked this the most. In the 60’s we were sort of too young, so in the 70’s we had a lot of fun. We NEVER make a list, we think of things as we go, and try doing them. The things we thought the best we couldn’t leave off, that’s what we chose. It got difficult at one point and we ended up having 10 more available on iTunes, bonus tracks.
TS: Which ones stand out to you as your favorites?
MS: The YES song “I’ve Seen All Good People.” We liked Yes when we were kids. Oh and “Sugar Magnolia,” a sleeper one we really liked at the end.
TS: You were able to work with Susanna Hoffs and Lindsey Buckingham on this record. What was it like working with these two?
MS: Well with Susanna, it’s like my sister, I know her so well. Lindsey I had known for quite a while, but not as well. We did a song for a movie all together back in the mid nineties. Then one of Sue’s son’s went to school with Lindsey’s kid, and that rekindled a friendship. At Sue’s B-Day last Jan. we cornered him and asked him to make a record with us. It was chance for us to get him on lead a little more.
TS: You semi-recently produced a group that we’ve become pretty good friends with here at Pop Wreckoning, The Bridges. What stood out to you about this band to take them into your home studio?
MS: It seems like a while ago now. It actually came out of thing in a publishing meeting with EMI, someone said you should produce a “Harmony Group.” Russell played something off of Myspace, and it was them. They write REALLY amazing stuff. They came out, we did a few demos, then they got Capital wanting to sign them, then Capital got shut down! I think they are now with Verve.
TS: So do you have anyone else on your plate in the near future in terms of production?
MS: Only the Bangles and I’ve started my own solo record. I’m gonna try to keep up a little more, go out a little more. I recorded a song for “Men of a Certain Age” with Ray Romano.
TS: It’s so rare to see a true musical affinity and professional appreciation for one’s colleagues.
MS: For me I was “Mr. Hide Out.” I always felt weird and never made a lot of friends, I’ve been there. Once the era of the 90’s passed, around 2001 or 2002, I got pulled into singing harmonies for Columbia. I never had good success writing with others, I had to assert myself. Now I feel really free and fun, although I still have to hustle. When you have that better time and a good perspective, you find out what you care about, it helps me enjoy people more.
TS: I really admire that perspective, it’s in our transitions that we see what is missing. Good for noticing that. Ok, Mr. Sweet, last question, if you could point our reader towards any artist in hopes of getting them to listen to them, who would it be?
MS: Wow, what would I TELL someone to listen too? As far as groups now, I don’t know them that well, I think of people in a genre of music I wouldn’t normally listen too. Blonde On Blonde then Pet Sounds. There are amazing things outside my orbit. I like freakbeat, garage rock stuff. Also it was in 1979 or 1980 that I started high school. That’s when I started to listen to all kinds of things. I wish I would have done that when I was 11, instead of 19. Plus nowadays it’s the internet that really helps us get what’s out there, the internet is sooo massive.
TS: Well then is it safe to say that you would recommend to “Listen to anything outside of your orbit?”
MS: That’s exactly it. Go find it.
TS: Mr. Sweet, I truly appreciate you taking my call and I’m truly looking forward to seeing you and Susanna live.
MS: Well, thank you. We just love this stuff. Have a great day!
Matthew Sweet: website | myspace
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