Artist Spotlight: Matthew Hartley
This conversation with Matthew Hartley reminds us why true artistry never ages — it only deepens.
MusicWeek: Can you tell us about your journey into music and what inspired you to become an artist?
Matthew Hartley: I hate to quote Lady Gaga, but, I was born this way. I have always had a deep passion for music from an early age. The art of music is fascinating and I truly enjoy the magic of creating it.
MusicWeek: Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
Matthew Hartley: I grew up in the 80’s so I was influenced by the early days of MTV and hair bands like Bon Jovi, Van Halen, Def Leppard, and Whitesnake. But, the 90’s had a huge influence on me as well with grunge bands like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, and Alice in Chains. In the early 2000’s I gradually expanded to country music listening to artists like Keith Urban and Tim McGraw. Oh, and, I can’t forget those game console days of playing Mike Tyson's Punch Out on Nintendo and listening to NWA and Easy-E.
MusicWeek: How would you describe your musical style and what makes it unique?
Matthew Hartley: I don’t think there is anything unique about my musicianship per se. My core music style is country rock with lots of arpeggios and power chords. However, what is unique are the songs I write are all christian-based lyrics with a story and a message. So, it’s really “Christian Country Rock”.
MusicWeek: Can you walk us through your creative process when writing and producing new music?
Matthew Hartley: It usually starts with picking up an acoustic guitar or playing the keyboard and just noodling around. At some point I land on some kind of riff or chord progression that I like. Then, I start belting out lyrics and a melody that fits the mood of the music. Finally, I play the sequence over and over again until a full song has evolved. I couldn’t tell you how many “half” songs I’ve written that were never finished. Sometimes I just do not finish the song, and other times, the song flows out over the course of a few hours or a few days. I even use music theory plugins for my DAW like Scaler to come up with different chord progressions and phrases. It’s a great way to learn music theory and stumble upon great melodies. Once I have a song arrangement then I will record a demo of the song in my DAW and start adding accompanying sounds/instruments like drums, bass, pads, using my Roland Fantom synth.
MusicWeek: What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Matthew Hartley: Deciding to work with an experienced music producer and executive, David Kershenbaum (https://www.davidkershenbaum.com/), so we can elevate my songs to a higher production level.
MusicWeek: How do you handle challenges and setbacks in the music industry?
Matthew Hartley: I am very fortunate that I’m not governed by the music industry either financially or mentally. I don’t have to answer to anyone and I do not have the pressure to create album after album or sell ticket after ticket. I helped establish a record label and production company, Imagine Peak Studios (https://imaginepeakstudios.com/), that funds my music production and music promotion. The only expectation is that we create and produce music we enjoy with the hope that others can enjoy it as well. Sure, I would love to make Gold and Platinum records that have millions and millions of streams, but honestly just being able to memorialize the music for my kids to enjoy years from now is all I really care about.
MusicWeek: What message or feelings do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Matthew Hartley: I hope listeners are uplifted by my music and know that they are not alone in what ever they are going through. We all have a story and I’m just using music to tell mine.
MusicWeek: Are there any collaborations or projects you're currently working on that you're excited about?
Matthew Hartley: No collaborations at this point, but, we are actively in the studio working on my debut album that should be out this Fall 2025. So, that is an exciting milestone on the forefront for the Matthew Hartley camp.
MusicWeek: How do you see your music evolving in the next few years?
Matthew Hartley: I don’t know. I have experimented heavily in the past with different music stylings from hard rock to EDM. I could see some of those genre’s finding their way into a future record or album.
MusicWeek: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians trying to break into the industry?
Matthew Hartley: Do not let your circumstances dictate your journey. Do what you love and love what you’re doing.
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