Q&A with MATTIE SAFER (formerly of THE RAPTURE) – Releases Highly Anticipated Debut Solo EP: ALL WE ARE

Its been 7 long years in the making but today I’d like to share with you the first listen to new music from MATTIE SAFER ( formerly of The Rapture ). His highly anticipated debut solo EP  All We Are  ( Dream City Sounds ) available May 27th, 2016. This 5 track EP infuses a soulful R-&-B sound with a humanity that creates both a connective and dynamic experience.

The path to this release involved Mattie evolving from a hybrid club-friendly project into the current timeless, yet modern live R-&-B artist you’ll hear shining through on this EP.  Wolf Tone Records founder Paul Epworth liking “the songs that were slower,” which wasn’t just a nod to enjoying their style, but to the idea that these songs felt “more like him.”

Listen to the first single from the All We Are  EP entitled, “Whenever You’re Ready” and more from Mattie Safer via his Soundcloud here .

AllAccess.com writer, Nicole DeRosa had a chance to catch up with MATTIE SAFER after his performance at Soho House, Hollywood on Friday, May 6th. Enjoy Nicole’s chat with Mattie below and if you are in the Los Angeles area you can also check out Mattie Safer on Wednesday, May 25th at The Mint.

Hi Mattie! Where does our interview find you today and what’s on the agenda besides our interview?

At home in Los Angeles, but about to head out for a writing session.  I try to stay in music mode as much as possible.

Tonight I’ll try to chill a little bit, it’s been a pretty busy couple of weeks getting everything prepped for these shows and the release.

For those that are not as familiar with you, your current solo work and your work with The Rapture…who or what was the catalyst for you to want to live the life of a musical gypsy?

It was just something I knew from childhood.  I had good music teachers. It was definitely the thing I cared most about doing.  I did a little bit of everything… Jazz band, orchestras, punk bands, live hip hop & funk, 4 track recordings and MIDI beats.  After I picked up an instrument for the first time there was never really a question that I was going to do anything else. 

You will be releasing your highly anticipated debut solo EP, All We Are (via Dream City Sounds) on May 27^th. What did you learn between your previous releases, collaborations etc. that you wanted to infuse into your All We Are EP?

I went through a lot of personal growth toward the end of my time in The Rapture and early days out on my own and these songs are largely written about and around and involving that. 

“I used the writing process to work my way through whatever mental barriers were keeping me from happiness, keeping me from feeling like an active participant in my own life.”

I had reached a point where I had stopped growing as a musician and that’s death for a creative person, you always need to keep expanding and challenging yourself.

This record was the first time I was ever THE PRODUCER, so even though I’d always been very involved creatively, this time I was the one who really had to make all the decisions, though thankfully I had some very great and helpful people around me to help out.

Tell me about your latest single, “Whenever You’re Ready”. How did that track come about?

It was a song I was hoping to pitch for a Carl Thomas album that came out a few years back, but that didn’t go anywhere.  I just had a pattern on the piano that I liked, very simple and at the time I was starting to get involved with this woman and we were clearly into each other but she had a lot of worries and fears from some previous pain that was making her hesitant.  The song is kind of a plea to her, to let go of that and recognize that just because those things happened before doesn’t mean they’ll happen with me, but also a reassurance that I’ll be there waiting for her.  Because she’s worth the wait to me.

I recorded the basic tracks in London with a drummer named Leo Taylor and a keyboardist named Nikolaj Torp and then came back and finished up the production in New York. 

Will you be filming a video for any of the tracks off the new EP? Do you enjoy collaborating on the visual side of things as well to bring your lyrics and sound to life or do you prefer to leave it in the hands of the director?

I’d really love to…I have a couple friends that I’ve been speaking to on the subject but nothing solid planned yet.  If there’s a director who has a strong idea I’m totally cool to leave things in their hands, but I’ve done it the other way as well where I work closely with them to flesh out an idea together.  Like with anything I think there’s any number ways to approach and come out with a success.

Who have been your inspirations (musically, art, film etc) growing up that also inspire you today?

“Marvin Gaye.  Curtis Mayfield.  Lauryn Hill.  Erykah Badu.  I really like artists that have been able to translate their own personal growth and turmoil into music that speaks to more universal issues.”

Visually and stylistically I still love the look of old punk flyers, hip hop fashion… I’m definitely a product of my youth.

Today everything is so instant like Spotify, Soundcloud etc. You push a button and it’s yours. What was the first album (that you can remember) that you saved up your hard earned money to purchase?

Black Sheep “A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing.”  Bought it on tape and then my sister confiscated it because she thought the lyrics were too sexist for my impressionable mind. 

What was the first song you fell in love with (that you can remember) and why?

“I remember very distinctly being at the beach in North Carolina with my family and we had a Beach Boys “Cruising Classics” tape and I used to love the song “Barbara Ann.”  I don’t really know why, probably the mix of voices, Mike Love and Brian Wilson both have very distinct and kind of funny voices if you think about it…”

Who is in your current playlist? What artists or bands are in current rotation for you?

King’s “We Are King” album.  The Internet’s “Ego Death.”  Beyoncé “Lemonade.”  Mndsgn “Yawn Zen.”  I was just recently playing bass for Sam Sparro, so I spent a lot of the last two weeks listening to and learning songs for that.

What’s on tap next for you Mattie? What are you most excited about for this year?

Honestly, getting this music out and getting on some stages to perform for the people is huge.  I’ve also been writing with and producing with an artist named Vula Malinga and we’re fixing to finish up our first track together, it’ll be fun to do that.  Like I said before, I just like to stay creating as much as possible.

Stay connected with MATTIE SAFER via his socials below: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram