We recently had the chance to connect with Matthew Meloney and have shared our conversation below.
Matthew, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Recently I’ve been called to be incredibly honest with myself and what I am investing my time in. This can be tough, as what we know about ourselves and what we want doesnt always align with what society expects of us. Or should I say – what we ‘think’ society expects of us. The truth is, no matter what anyone expects, we have the agency to live our lives as we see fit, although that doesn’t come without its costs. Everything is a trade-off. All of this is relevant to a profound inner journey I’ve been on, to dig deep within myself and identify my truest values and potential. It takes immense courage to do this, and it’s something we must continue to do forever. It tests our integrity. I don’t know that I’d say I’ve been afraid of these thoughts before; if anything they become scarier as time goes on if I ignore them. As I age into my 30s, this idea of chasing my dreams feels increasingly more relevant. But the thing is, I think it was always just as relevant. I use this as a source of inspiration to continually improve myself and embody the truest and best version of me that I can be.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Matthew. I’ve been a multi-instrumentalist for almost my whole life, starting with violin in the fourth grade and continuing with a multitude of string and percussion instruments throughout middle and high school. I started singing at a young age as well. I’ve been actively performing ever since, whether it be with school ensembles, extracurricular youth symphonies, choirs, a cappella groups, and rock bands. I’m also a human being living in modern day America, so naturally I have a day job to take care of my bills and essential needs.
My primary instrument is the drum set. I play with a few bands: Stylie – American reggae, The Curtis Brothers Band – Motown Rock Americana, and Diamond Empire Band – a corporate wedding cover band. Performing is my passion, and nothing gets me going more than the opportunity to express myself through rhythm and entertain a crowd. In efforts to grow creatively and continue to do what I love, I’ve developed drumming curriculum to offer lessons, built out a home studio to offer session drum tracking, and am always open to collaborating with other musicians.
Music is a funny business – it’s among the most valued and important parts of our culture, but it doesn’t necessarily fit into a modern economy in the same way. Most musicians face this at one point or another – how can I continue to do more of what I love, and share it with the world? I am grateful to be able to do what I do, and am eager to continue meeting new musicians, collaborating, and creating more.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Who did the world tell me I have to be? I love this question because I can challenge the notion that we “have to be” anything. It’s all too relevant to how we live in today’s society. So much is expected of us – we need to be productive. We need to DO. We need to make money, and we’re told that giving back to society is the way in which to do that. However, you can give back to society in so many ways without being guaranteed a monetary reward. The economy and what is “valued” in it puts a lot of people (perhaps most people) in an unfortunate situation. What if what you’re skilled at, what you love, how you give back, is NOT valued by the economy? This is obviously a vast and potentially controversial topic, but the idea of societal pressures (the world) telling us what is valuable and what is not doesn’t have to be your truth.
I am grateful for music and creative endeavors for so many reasons, but perhaps the biggest reason is that it’s a reminder that some things cannot be taken away. It’s a reminder to not take everything so seriously. We get to create, express, share, and LIVE. This must be protected and prioritized at all costs. It’s a wild world out there, and not always the easiest, so we have to continue to do what we love, and never let that get lost. That is perhaps the greatest service you can provide to yourself and those around you. Don’t let the world tell you who you have to be. Be you.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Take more risks! I’m still working on that these days.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Relationships and integrity. Expression and the arts. It’s so easy to get caught up in trying to stay afloat in today’s society. But despite it all, we need each other, and we need our arts, perhaps right now more than ever. We’ve created a monstrous system. A delicate network of cash flow and inter-dependence. As someone who studied Economics in college, I can see and conceptualize why things are the way they are today. In many ways it makes a lot of sense. But its put a lot of pressure on us all in order to continue living with the luxuries of modern life. Through it all, we have to remember what’s important to us. Love your community, and never forget to live every moment your life intentionally and with purpose. Singing songs might not pay the bills, but it can bring people together in ways more valuable than any currency could ever match.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I believe this is the ultimate goal. Do what you do for yourself, and you will ultimately serve others. Authenticity feels underrated. Music Producer Rick Rubin states it beautifully. “The best thing you can do for the audience is to not consider them.” Prioritizing your personal vision over audience expectation leads to more authentic and ultimately better art. We are conditioned to try so hard, and live in a culture in which is can be difficult to not let what others think influence our thoughts and actions. This reminds me of a quote from Marcus Aurelius. “It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.”
If we are able to align ourselves in an authentic way, and were driven in everything we do, then we would always deliver a similar effort regardless of any praise or reaction from others. I’m not perfect, but this is what I strive for. Work hard because you want to, not to receive something from others. Your work will be better, more true, and more consistent.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @drummdiaries
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-meloney-671564139/
Image Credits
Katie Frim
