Also known as Matt Dunne, Specific Coast’s new single Home went live back in February this year. We caught up with Matt about all things music.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where are you from and where did the journey into music start for you?
I moved to Los Angeles 7 years ago to pursue a career in the music industry. After meeting with people in the music and entertainment industries, I completely lost my confidence and decided to focus on the business side of the industry. I took a job at a publishing company and worked my way up from an assistant to label manager. Privately, I never stopped writing and performing for my friends. I created Cactus Coast, a collective of artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers, and I began hosting backyard concerts at my home in Silver Lake, providing a unique, intimate setting for artists like Royal & the Serpent to perform. Through the support of my little collective, and a prominent sync in the hit Netflix series Ginny & Georgia, I found my confidence again and released my single “Home”.
Who are some of your biggest influences and inspirations?
I’ve always loved sad singer-songwriters. Damien Rice’s ‘O’ and Bon Iver’s ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’ are two of my favorite albums. When I’m not writing sad songs, I’m inspired by The Lumineers and The Head and the Heart.
You recently released your new single Home. What does this song mean to you, as an artist?
The song itself is about a long distance relationship. I originally wrote it as a voice memo for my girlfriend. It was my way of telling her that I was in it for the long haul. We now happily live together and it’s so special to me that so many people have connected with it. The response has been unreal and I plan on releasing music more frequently because of it.
It’s been a little while since you released anything else before this. What have you been up to since then?
I was focusing on building my record label and community, Cactus Coast. I’m also a full time artist manager at Flip A Switch Music where I am also a partner. Since the release of “Home” I’ve been busy finishing my next release, Wasn’t Love, available June 2nd.
How does Home compare to Eye To Eye?
I recorded Eye To Eye in my apartment. I wanted to make something lo-fi and indie sounding. I’ve always loved the soundtrack from the movie Garden State and wanted to make something I thought could live in that universe. “Home” was really inspired by The Head and the Heart and the Lumineers. I wanted to make something that was minimal but polished sounding.
Is this new single a hint at more new music on the way?
Yes! I’m releasing a new song on June 2nd called Wasn’t Love. For this one, I dove even deeper into the production and it will be my most complex release yet. While still having very minimal production. I’ve written so many songs over the years and I’m having a ton of fun revisiting them in the studio with my co-producer Paul Edelman.
(If not) What is next for you?
Any plans to play any live shows, when it is safe to do so?
I can’t wait to start hosting backyard concerts again! I’ll have to ease into it a bit but hoping to support my next single with a small show for friends and family. As soon as everything opens up, and if the demand is there, I’d love to play out. It’s been years since I’ve played a real show but I have a product I really believe in that I’m really proud of.
What is one positive you will be taking away from the situation we’ve been in for a little while now (don’t want to use the C word)?
This past year I’ve had the opportunity to lean into management. My clients have placed 8 tracks in TV, Film, and commercials. I released my first song in years and spent time writing and recording. Without the C word, I don’t know if I would have had the time to do all this.
Where can we find out more about you?
I’m fairly new to the artist side of things but I love keeping up with everyone on instagram. I try not to take myself so seriously so I hope to make a few people laugh and there is plenty of puppy content!https://www.instagram.com/specificcoast/
Anything else you would like to tell us?
Pre-save my song Wasn’t Love on spotify! I’ll love you forever. It’s a little bit daunting to release a song after a big placement in a tv show. What if people don’t listen to this one? I guess we’ll have to find out!
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/specificcoast/wasnt-love
TrueStyleMusic 