Kicking off our 3-Part music series: The Sound, The Words, The Voice is Fort Worth rockstar Matthew McNeal.

THE SOUND

Photos by Katie Langley Photography

We sat down with McNeal at Tannahills Tavern & Music Hall in the Fort Worth Stockyards, opening a set for respected songwriter John Moreland. We talked new experiences, the band's latest record, & our spirit animal preferences.

Alternative. Ernest. Passionate.

McNeal put out his 5th studio record titled "HIGHLONESOME" in April of this year. It's a collection of indie rock beats, midwestern emo lyricism, & alternative western space sound. This band is genre bending with a universal, nostalgic feel.

"I'm a pretty happy & joyous dude, but I'm really inspired by the somber parts of life. I find that there's a happiness in the sadness."

- McNeal

"It's the first time we've ever produced it all & mixed it in-house," said McNeal. "Andre, our drummer & creative collaborator, & I grew up together. We started the record label together. We wanted to have a little bit more control & see what we can do mixing it ourselves. It's my favorite thing we've done."

Though the band is McNeal's namesake, they truly are a collaborative team which reveals in the overall sound. Even when asked what McNeal's favorite lyrics are off the new record, he cited from a song co-written by the band.

"Dropped the Ball is a song that means a lot to me," said McNeal. "We wrote it in the middle of a recording session. We crossed a threshold & decided to get together & write something. We wrote it in 2 hours & recorded it the next day."

"Dropped the ball, but I kept runnin' / whole life with my head down / no one can tell me nothin' / I heard it all before." 

Despite the happy & groovin' vibrations instrumentally, McNeal's lyricism flips the switch on emotions when really paying attention.

"I've had this record & the past record involve dealing with losing loved ones." said McNeal. "It's something that's been really close to my heart over the past couple of years. Life is difficult, but if you are persistent you can make it through & really make it great."

McNeal described his sound as "alternative, ernest, & passionate." The band's sound is an homage to his upbringing from Western wear to RnB to hip hop to country. It's a masterful marinade of all things that make the musicians who they are, even if it's not one vein of a bigger genre.

"I believe in it."

"I know I could find more commercial success by fitting into a lane, but that's not me." said McNeal. "I'd rather show all the colors of who I am & build something off of that & ride that 'til the end because I believe in it."

There genuinely is no sound like Matthew McNeal because there is no other Matthew McNeal band. It's fresh yet it's nostalgic. It's spacey yet it's intentional. It's authentic through & through, & THAT is why I chose this band for "The SOUND" section of this series. 

You can catch Matthew around the Fort Worth area & beyond or check out his site https://matthewmcneal.com/

If you enjoyed this article or have a Matthew McNeal story, feel free to leave a comment in our comments section! We'd love to hear from you.

TOMORROW our next artist of the series is Cameron Smith with "The WORDS." See you at NOON!