An Interview With The Rising Pop Star, MATT LEGRAND On His Latest Music, Favorite Artists and More!

Meet the rising pop artist, Matt LeGrand! Following up on his acclaimed single, “All Good”, Matt released a cover of Stevie Wonder’s “What Christmas Means to Me”. With these two singles, he’s been making waves in the pop world over the past few months.

With the release of his single “All Good” in July, the France-born, Chicago-based talent garnered praise from the likes of HuffPost, AXS, Celeb Mix, Kings of A&R and more. This month, the video is even being played in Footlockers across the United States as part of their pop reel.

Prior to this, in 2015, LeGrand released his debut single, “Spring Break Girl”, which not only solidified him as a must-watch talent on the Chicago scene, but also a rising star in the national pop world. The coinciding video experienced a meteoric rise, eventually grabbing the attention of taste-makers at MTVU, where it was played on a consistent rotation.

Connect With Matt LeGrand Here:

https://www.facebook.com/MattLeGrandMusic/

https://www.twitter.com/MattyLeGrand

https://www.instagram.com/mattlegrandofficial/

Learn more about Matt LeGrand in the following All Access interview:

Happy New Year! Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

A: Absolutely, thanks so much guys for asking some questions! Happy New Year to you! I’m in Chicago at the moment rehearsing.

Overall, how do you think 2017 was for you and your career? What are you most excited about for this year? Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions? Care to share them with us?

A: 2017 was my coming out year! We released my first single “All Good” and the amount of Love that we’ve received is incredible! We also put out my version of Stevie Wonders “What Christmas Means to Me!” I’m not currently attached to any major label, major company or outlet so the amazing reviews and placements have been really unprecedented! The whole team has some sort of feeling about this year. I can’t really explain it but I will try. It’s that feeling when you are starting to see all the dots connect. When you really start to notice that what you were working on a year ago is just now coming into play. Being aware of that progression is the best feeling because it motivates me even more to hit a new level! To be honest my New Year’s resolution was to continue to open myself up to everything that surrounds me. Embracing things as they come and building up the courage to face certain things that I may not want to face. Unbelievable things start happening when you dive deep into who you are and above all, when you take care of yourself!

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

A: I got interested in music at the age of 11. My mother took me to go see her favorite band “The Rolling Stones.”That’s when I fell in love with performing music for people. I fell in love with the idea of bringing people together that all believe in the same thing. That’s when magic happens! Two weeks after that concert my mother bought me my first guitar. I wanted to be Keith Richards! I started listening to lots of classic rock! Ever since then, I’ve wanted music to be a part of me for the rest of my life.

I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your home has affected you and your music today? 

A: I was born in Chicago, then moved to France right away until I came back at the age of 6. I have very faint memories of my time in France but I did learn the language! I’ve been in Chicago ever since and I couldn’t be happier about that! I feel that my city is often over looked or underrated. There is so much beautiful raw talent here. You can see it by amazing artist like Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa that have really put Chicago on the map. It motivates me to do the same thing! Chicago is very similar to New York in the sense that its very hard to get around the hard work. You have to dedicate hours upon hours to your craft or else the public will call you out. That’s just the mentality that people have here and I am grateful to be a part of it!

Have you gone back to France at all since you left and moved to Chicago? If you speak French, do you ever think about singing in French one day? Do you that France upbringing has influenced your music at all? 

A: I have been back to France multiple times since. It’s always wonderful to see the family that I have there! Yes! I do speak French although I have lost it a little bit. I would just need to brush up on it a little. I have definitely thought about doing a song in French! So, you might get one down the road! I came back to the US at age 6 and I only knew how to speak French. I would have to have my brother translate everything for me. For the longest time, I thought that he was translating words wrong just to mess with me! I actually still believe that to this day LOL. I have memories of my time there and memories can be made into songs, so that’s how I think it has influenced me!

What was the inspiration for your newest single, “All Good”? How do you think it is different or similar to anything else that you have ever put out before? Will this track sound like forthcoming new music that you are currently working on right now?

A: I’m very proud about the track! I didn’t write it but I bonded with it. I like to say that the song found me. I was at a point in my life when everything that the song was saying just made complete sense to me. To me it’s a song about finding yourself again when a relationship is over. It’s about self-love and self-care. These are things that are essential to my daily life. It’s also a very positive message for anyone that’s trying to get over an obstacle! I think the difference between my recent work and my past is night and day! “All Good” was my first release in over two years. We really went back to the drawing board and started from scratch again because sometimes that’s just what you have to do. I’m so amazed by my progression! Patience, consistency, and hard work! I think my fans are going to be getting something completely different with my next single! We have it coming in the next month we’re hoping! I’m not really allowed to talk about it but I’m very excited for it and I know my fans are too!

What did it feel like to have the video for “All Good” played in Footlockers around the US? Can you recall the first time that you saw it played?

A: Like I said before the amount of Love we’ve received is just unprecedented! It really is a great feeling to know that there are people out there who support the independent artists! I think the coolest place that I saw it was when I had a segment on WCIU “The Jam” here in Chicago!

When do you hope to release more music a full collection of new songs? Are you currently in the studio working on new material? Do you find that you are in a musically creative time right now?

A: I will have an EP coming out this year! I’ve been waiting for this moment for years! It’s a very busy time in my world right now. Currently the most important thing is to focus on getting ready to perform, perform, perform, and perform! We have tons of amazing things lined up for the coming months! I find that I am in a creative time right now and I know my fans are going to Love what’s coming!

Where can people see you perform live next? Do you have any tour dates scheduled for 2018?

A: We don’t have any tour dates scheduled yet. We hope to soon! Just make sure to follow my Instagram @mattlegrandofficial for notifications on performances and appearances!

Where do you find that you at your happiest- on stage performing, in the studio recording music, writing songs or elsewhere? 

A: Some of my favorite moments are when we come up with magic in the studio! I get that warm-hearted feeling and I feel like I’m riding a wave! Though, I have to say that I am my happiest when I can perform for people. I can speak to them and its always exciting because anything can happen. The thrill is real! I like having the opportunity to connect and bond with my fans. I love when we do Q and A’s! At the end of the day it’s all about them. Without my fans my dream is un-achievable and to be honest without them, what is this all for? They keep me going!

We are living in a crazy and at times rough world right now so I am curious how you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? How do you think that your new music is going to reflect these difficult times?

A: I wake up every single day knowing that I don’t “have” to do anything today rather, I “get” to do everything. I get to do what I love and that’s a miracle because so many people don’t like what they do. They feel that they have done all of this work for nothing and that brings on stress/anger and ultimately makes the world a crazier place. I feel very lucky today that I’m getting to answer questions about my music career but it didn’t come easy. It’s taken blood, sweat, and tears. I hope that more people can settle their stresses and be patient with finding their calling. It’s usually right in front of you, you just have to be open to seeing it. My new music will simply bring fun and I think the world can always use more fun!

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely still love to work with in the future? 

A: Some of my favorite artist are Ed Sheeran, Lin-Manual Miranda, Chris Martin, Bono, and The 1975. Id would absolutely love to work with Camila Cabello. She is just fierce and I have loved watching her solo career unfold!

What do you hope your fans take away from your music? Do you find that a lot of your music has a greater meaning behind it?  

A: I hope that my presence and my music can turn a bad day into a great one and a great one into an amazing one! I do multiple live feeds a week via my Instagram page. It makes me so happy to hear when fans message me about how I made there day by singing and answering their questions on the live feed! What they don’t know is how much they are making my day by communicating that to me. My fans and I communicate very very well. The other day I had a girl message me while the live feed was going on that she’d had a terrible day because of bullying but that I had made it much brighter and happier. I told her that she could direct message me anytime to talk. We communicated back and forth and we made a connection. I’m constantly answering people on my Instagram so no one should be afraid to write me a message. The power of communication is beautiful and it is something that my team and I practice 24/7! I do feel like my music has greater meanings. I know I have feelings about it and I love to leave it up to my fans to generate their own!

Is there anything else that you would like to share about yourself or your music with our readers?

A: First of all, I’d like to thank “All Access Music” for the great in-depth questions! I hope that you’ve enjoyed my answers! Thanks to anyone that took time out of there day to read this interview! Your attention means the world to me. My name is Matt LeGrand I’m a 23-year-old singer-songwriter trying to simply chase my dream! Thank you for coming on this journey with me! Stay connected on my Instagram @mattlegrandofficial