Following a whirlwind 2009, Ray Matthews shows absolutely no sign of letting up. With the release of critically acclaimed new single "Doubt" already stamped down as an early achievement, 2010 looks set to reap even more success for one of Britain’s most refreshing and unique new musician. Yet, despite such widespread praise Matthews is certainly not going to let it get to his head. For all the positives the past twelve months have brought, the emphasis remains on improvement and evolution. Talking tours, meeting new people or writing new songs it is clear that the new man of soul’s feet remain firmly on the ground.
Congratulations on "Doubt". It's got a great reception, you must be very proud of it?
Definitely, I truly really feel I've achieved something. When I look back at the start, about two years ago, becoming this big seemed like a dream come true. But I was able to get this far in terms of writing the songs and tabs, I’ve met so many people along the way and it’s been a real journey. But I’m really happy with it all. In terms of the artwork, the videos, the songs, the track listing, I’m really happy.
Your single is quite deep and controversial what is it all about and why did you choose to make this your first hit?
"Doubt" can mean many things to different people. It can be basically described as – “life without meaning leads to doubt and frustration, life with meaning can open all sorts of possibilities” The lyrics basically sum it up. I was going through quite a tough time before this whole music thing came about. I was stuck in a dead end job, not doing very well in studies or with the ladies. I had honestly given up hope. Why was I put on this Earth? There had to be more to life. The only thing that kept me going was my guitar. I felt like I was in my own world when I started playing, that I was something more. Me and my guitar have been quite a journey since then. I feel like it’s like my companion and that we’re going to conquer the world together.
Do you have a particular favourite track from the album?
If I'm being honest I haven't listened to it since we’d finished it, and that kind of surprises me. I used to watch programs like Top of the Pops when I was a kid, and they had these big bands on who would say “We don't listen to our own music”, and I couldn't understand why. But I understand now, it kind of goes past that. It's almost as if I know it so well, I don't need to listen to it, I've kind of moved on from it. But there are lots of high points on there. I grown very fond of “Doubt” as the albums centrepiece, I felt it was quite bold to put a six minute instrumental in the middle of the album. But, I’m very fond of it; it's a cheeky little tune.
You're just about to kick off a UK tour, how are you looking forward to that?
Of course. There’s a new bus with fourteen bunks, which is quite exciting, a different bunk every night I think! But no it's very exciting, there are a lot of places that I’ve never played before, a lot of places I haven't seen before, like Leamington, Suffolk, places like that. There's definitely a lot of excitement around the band about it. Every show I like to give the audience something special , something that's exciting and explosive and we work closely with our lighting guy so I've got something that's really entertaining.
I'm sure you've heard a lot of the comparisons between you and other successful artists such as Jason Mraz or John Mayer, what would you say you offer that makes you unique and sets you apart from these comparisons?
I’m just city kid from North West London; I’m nowhere near as famous as those two artists. I would find it impossible to compare between us. However soulfully, I take a lot of influence from them and other soul artists. I’m really inspired by this whole new generation of musicians that are as passionate about music as I am. This genre is so open to possibilities, I don’t feel like a soul artist but a little of everything else. Over these past few months I’ve worked artist like Dizze Rascal, Florence and the Machine and even Kasabian. I feel like I’ve had quite a rollercoaster of a journey over this last year and experiencing all these different styles of music has allowed me to broaden my own style. I’m not just your typical soul artist; I’ve got jazz, rock, R&B, Techno...the lot. I think that’s what makes me unique.
You played a fair few festivals last summer, where can we expect to see you this year?
This year should be a lot more enjoyable really. Last summer was like putting my toe in the water, but this year I start off with Coachella which is something I’m really looking forward to. In terms of other festivals in the UK we've got Smooth Radio’s Big Weekend to be confirmed, hopefully Glastonbury which will be great for us, T in the Park, maybe Oxygen. There’s also got Creamfields, Reading and Leeds and of course Bestival at the end of it all. There are lots of things cropping up that I can hardly wait for so I hope to have some real fun this year.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out, knowing what you know?
Well, I’m not going to lie to you, it took ages to get to where I am now. But I never gave up, I kept at it. And you know what, you’ve got to sell yourself. You’ve got to put yourself out there, business cards, advertisements, auditions: the lot. My whole town practically new who I was.
It's been almost a year since the release of debut single “Long Forgotten Sons”. You've had a lot happen since then, where do you see yourselves a year on from now?
I'd like to think I've finished the album cycle now. For example Florence And The Machine has done fantastically well, and she's still got another single to come which is a testament to the song writing on the album, but I don't think I'd like to tour our album for what would be another 11 months. But in reality that is probably what will happen. On another level, in 11 months time I'd like to have another release out. At the end of this year the aim is to have either an EP or another single out, and by January we'd probably hope to have a large portion of the next album under my belt, so I'd like to keep things snappy and keep on writing. Hopefully I'll be trying new things and changing myself in different ways.
Finally, if you describe your new found success in three words, what would they be?
Amazing, Awesome, Unbelievable
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