Check Out Andrew Matson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Matson.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Less Than Perfect is a Rock/Metal band out of Parker, CO. Each member of Less Than Perfect has their own unique story, but we all share one thing in common – a passion and love for music and performing. We all have musical backgrounds, work hard, and dream of sharing our music and message of hope with the world. Less Than Perfect was formed in 2022, after the height of the pandemic, and we performed our first show in late 2022.

We released our first album “Progress” in 2023, and are returning to the studio for our second album this month. Since then we’ve performed in many shows, including national acts like TRAPT, Jimmies Chicken Shack, Smile Empty Soul, Sound Awake, and The Nocturnal Affair. We’ve also been added to several global playlists including Rock Al Palo’s playlist of “Best Emerging Artists” and T&R Recording’s “Artists to Really Check Out” playlist. Chris Van Meter (Drums) and Denny Underwood (Bass) are the foundation for Less Than Perfect’s driving sound.

Both are gifted musicians who have played and taught professionally for years. Andrew Matson (Guitar) grew up playing accordion but switched to guitar in his teens when he heard bands like Van Halen and Metallica and realized He couldn’t play their songs very well on the accordion. Andrew writes the music, and the rest of the band helps polish the sound. Andrew, Chris, and Denny are seasoned vets in the music industry and are all married with children and careers.

Kyra Matson, our lead singer, graduated from Parker Performing Arts and has been performing and singing since she was a little girl. Kyra’s amazing vocals, energy, and lyrical style are key to our catchy and progressive sound. Kyra is Andrew’s youngest daughter and was born to be on stage. Being a part of Less Than Perfect, and creating music together with his daughter, has been a dream come true for Andrew – and something he never could have imagined when he was younger. LTP’s goal is to create rock music that inspires and gives others hope.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The normal challenges of marketing ourselves, building a following, and finding the time to practice. We all love playing and performing, but it can be difficult to find time to practice and perform when most of the band has families, kids, careers, and other responsibilities.

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram! The more followers and likes we have on social media, the more opportunities we get to perform our music live for others! Thank you!!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Denny and Andrew have been friends for years and often talked about jamming together. However, family, careers, COVID-19, and other responsibilities got in the way.

When we did finally jam together, we quickly realized there was a connection. We practiced and auditioned drummers for a few months before finally finding Chris, and quickly recognized he wasn’t just a great drummer, but, more importantly, a great human being – and the missing piece to LTP.

Andrew writes the music, but we have a collaborative process of producing and polishing our songs. A lot of Rock/Metal songs focus on sex, drugs, and hate, but we’re a positive Rock/Metal band that creates music with a positive message to lift and inspire others.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
At 16, Andrew was homeless living on the streets of Denver, and at 18, he was sent to prison for theft and forgery. While in prison, Andrew studied and worked much of the time as a music para-pro teaching guitar lessons. He also played in different bands that would occasionally perform for visitors.

However, when he was released he put down the guitar for over a decade to focus on his family, his career, and himself. Andrew has been very blessed since his release in 2003. Not only is he part of one of the best bands in Denver with his daughter, but he has four awesome kids and an amazing wife.

After his release, he went back to school and graduated with honors from the University of Colorado with a degree in Psychology, worked his way up the corporate ladder to become Director of a multi-national Fintech company, and served in a variety of volunteer positions in his church and the community, and was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper to the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice in 2018 – the first-ever State Commissioner with a felony record in Colorado.

Andrew is also on the Board of Directors for Colorado CURE. A lot has changed since Andrew’s days on the streets and time in prison, but one thing that has remained consistent is his love for music. All of the songs on our first album were written while he was in prison and have positive messages of hope and potential.

“Choices” is about creating our destiny through our choices, “Man in the Mask” is about overcoming addition, “Wasted Years” is about not focusing on past regrets, but making the most of our future, “Divine” is about slaying the demons that want us to fail and be unhappy, and “Stay Strong” is about unity and working together to make the most of our time together here on earth. Our second album will contain more songs written in prison, but also a few like “Stay a While”, “Sunshine”, “Habitual”, and “Take it All” which were written recently.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lessthanperfect.bandzoogle.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/less.than.perfect_band/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LTPtheband
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@lessthanperfect7768

Image Credits
Sofi Callis