Matt Saxon
Matt Saxon With his new single “Rough Patch,” Matt Saxton crafts a heartfelt reflection on love’s challenges and resilience. Blending folk, rock, and warmth, the track finds beauty in perseverance and hope. 1. Matt, the cover art for “Rough Patch” shows you sanding your house during lockdown — a powerful metaphor for the song’s theme. Can you tell us how that imagery connects to the emotional core of the track? The emotional core of the song is about smoothing out and getting through a rough patch in a relationship. Smoothing out the rough patches on my house felt like a nice and unique metaphor and cover photo, for the song. 2. The song explores how a couple survives difficult times in their relationship. Was this inspired by personal experience or by stories you’ve observed around you?Personal experience! 3. Your music blends folk, rock, and electronic influences with an uplifting yet melancholic tone. How did you approach balancing those moods and textures on “Rough Patch”?I wanted the song to have a classic rock / folk feel (acoustic and electric guitar, drums, bass, piano, organ) and not let the production get in the way of the song’s simple message.I think the saxophone solo before the last chorus helps lift up the song.I am a big fan of David Bowie and I really like the way he uses saxophone in some of his songs.It was also great to play the instrument again after many years without doing so. 4. Your previous single “Feel It Again” received praise for its intimacy and lyrical depth. How does “Rough Patch” continue or evolve that emotional journey? Feel it Again is about falling back in love in a long-term relationship, so it is really the next chapter after Rough Patch. Though both songs ultimately are about pushing through and carrying on and therefore optimistic in their message and meaning. 5. As a multi-instrumentalist and producer, what was the creative process like for this single? Did you handle most of the instrumentation yourself, or collaborate with others? I recorded the demo at home using Garage band but recorded the single at The Animal Farm studios in London with the brothers Ville and Mat Leppanen. They are brilliant musicians who get my music completely.Here are the credits for the song: Matt Saxton – Vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards, saxophoneVille Leppanen – Electric guitarMat Leppanen – Drums, bass guitar, backing vocalsMixed by Mat LeppanenProduced by Mat LeppanenMastered by Hafod 6. “Rough Patch” speaks to perseverance and hope in love. What message do you hope listeners take away when they hear it, especially after the challenges of recent years?You have actually summed up the message in the song very well, “perseverance and hope in love”. Home – Matt Saxton Music
Poste 942
Poste 942 French rockers Poste 942 return with #chaleurhumaine, a vibrant and heartfelt album celebrating reconnection, creative renewal, and the enduring power of friendship, language, and true human warmth. 1. #chaleurhumaine feels like a celebration of reconnection and creative renewal. How does this album mark a new chapter for Poste 942, especially with the arrival of Cecilia and Julien? During the lockdown period, we parted ways with our singer. We continued to play without him, with Bruno and Ludo, once a week. We then had about twenty more or less finished demos.11 For over 10 years, I’ve been receiving “alerts” in my email about drummers and singers, the two positions that change most frequently within POSTE 942. I came across Virginie’s ad. She met us and joined the band, choosing several of our existing tracks. She wrote all the lyrics and created all the melodies for #humanheath. The arrival of Cécilia and Julien lasted a little over a month. Julien’s return to work and family life was more important than playing with us, and since he was in a relationship with Cécilia, they both left us! We still have two finished tracks that will be on our next album! We’re looking for a new drummer and a new singer! NOTICE! 2. The decision to sing entirely in French gives the record a very personal and poetic touch. What do you feel French brings to rock music that English sometimes can’t capture? The lyrics! Obviously, French songs are harder to sing and make them sound good! A good French song must necessarily “say something” whereas in English you can just go YEAH! YEAH! for a minute if you want, nobody cares! French listeners want to hear something that makes sense, hence the success of Rap, Spoken Words (SLAM), Audiobooks or President MACRON in France! The French like to be told great stories, even if they are not true! 3. Your sound blends grunge, stoner, and classic rock energy, yet this album feels more introspective and mature. What inspired this evolution in tone and production? Of course, the line-up change! We go from a singer who sings loudly in English to a woman who sings in French in a completely different way… Poste 942’s music adapts to this because we remain open to all suggestions, as long as they sound good! For the production, we haven’t changed anything, it’s still at Bruno’s studio in Marseille! We have all the equipment you need on site! 4. The title #chaleurhumaine(“human warmth”) feels especially meaningful after the isolation of recent years. What does that concept represent for you as artists and as people? After this crazy period of confinement, we all wanted freedom. Making music once a week was a real escape for us and pure pleasure! We all gained weight because we sometimes spent more time at the table than in rehearsal, it was really a special time… Confinement will have brought us even closer, that’s the power of human warmth! It is there to unite us and to last over time. 5. You recently paid tribute to Kyuss with your version of “Demon Cleaner” for Spaceship Landing: A Tribute to Kyuss.How did you approach honoring such an iconic band while keeping the distinct Poste 942 identity alive in your version? Earlier this year, we participated in a tribute compilation to the band MINDFUNK for the French label BITUME PROD. We had already adapted the song ZOOTIEHEAD in our own way! The French lyrics, the use of lap-steel, a new riff… For DEMON CLEANER, we also slowed down the tempo, invited Cyril from the Marseille band Ornithorak to sing (https://ornithorak.bandcamp.com/album/ornithorak-ep), and added an incredible and very soaring solo! And I played lap-steel again because I love doing that. Little scoop: Witching Buzz must have liked our cover because they invited us to do it again for a tribute compilation to Ozzy Osbourne! We’re currently working on NO MORE TEARS, a very complex and powerful track played by the already excellent Zakk Wylde!!! We hope they’ll like our version! We’re still preparing surprises for this track! 6. After 15 years of music, evolution, and perseverance, what keeps Poste 942 inspired and motivated today—and what can fans expect from the next phase of your journey? I’ve been playing guitar since I was 15, and I’m 48 now. I’ve been playing in a band since high school. And when I didn’t have a band, I always had a guitar handy! You’re never alone with a guitar! I like to get together with my friends at least once a week to play together; it’s part of my balance! Poste 942 is about fifteen years old, but I’ve been in other bands before… I’ve been married for almost 25 years, I have three kids, and a job, so I really need to get together with my friends and turn up my amp at least once a week to avoid losing my cool!!! Whether it’s to play, have a nice meal, shoot a music video, go to the movies, celebrate a birthday, or go to a concert! In one year of digital distribution of our latest album, we earned 8 euros! In our case, I don’t know if we can call it “fans,” haha. I’m stopping streaming. It’s not for bands like us, and I don’t want to participate in this vast scam! I know every one of our fans! Haha, they’re friends and family, above all! We’re happy and proud to offer them our latest CD when we see each other! Our next project is already underway; I still want to make music, and as long as my friends do too, why stop? We might have found a new drummer, we’re still looking for a singer, we’ll see! In the meantime, we’re working in the studio on new demos or covers, and, well, it sounds pretty good!!! https://zik.band/Poste942/
ReeToxa
ReeToxa Emerging from Melbourne’s alt-rock scene, ReeToxA turns pain into purpose. In this interview, Jason reflects on loss, resilience, and the healing power of music that fuels Pines Salad. 1. Jason, ReeToxA was born out of a deeply personal journey — from your early days in Frankston to finding healing through music. Can you share how those experiences shaped your artistic voice and storytelling? The only way I know how to express myself is through writing songs and poetry. I feel like I’m going to explode if i don’t write an idea down. Although I have done a lot in my life song writ g is the one constant that’s always there for me. 2. The song “Bobbie”seems to hold a special place in your heart as the emotional core of this project. What was the writing process like for that track, and how did it influence the rest of Pines Salad? Unfortunately, in 2017 I went to jail for six months, and in my second week my sister informed me mum (Bobbie) was very sick. They had a multi faith center at the minimum security correctional center I was in and I joined meditation / praying class to help mum spiritually as I could not help. The chorus was a meditation I came up with to meditate and unfortunately mum passed away and the orating did not work. A few months passed and I got in a terrible fight with a relative over the phone, and the song came poring out. I would sing it all day so I did not forget the melody. 3. Your debut album Pines Saladhas such a raw, self-aware energy — from its title to the themes running through it. What message or emotion do you hope listeners take away after hearing it? Well, I hope if people need to have a good sing, dance, cry or get out their emotions they can put the album on and feel better! Most of all I hope they come to our shows and dig the new Records coming. I am here for the long hall. 4. You’ve collaborated with some incredible talents like Simon Moro, Joe Carra, and a stellar band lineup. How did those collaborations elevate the sound and direction of the record? Funny you should ask as Simon Moro is sitting right next to me now! He believes everyone collaborated together to get my vision out. I’ll never be able to thank everyone enough and I hope it helps them as much as it’s helped me in the long run. 5. ReeToxA blends grunge-era grit with modern alt-pop honesty — a mix not often heard. Which artists or moments in your life helped you find that sonic balance? I loved the great 90’s lyric writers like Elliott smith and Kurt Cobain! Speak the truth and make it rhyme as John Lennon used to say. 6. You’ve mentioned that you’re currently back in the studio. Can you tell us more about what you’re working on now and how this new chapter is shaping up for ReeToxA? I am currently half way through recoding my second album with all the same people involved. It’s a 26-track double album that I believe is my best work. I can’t wait for you to hear it and tour both albums next year. https://linktr.ee/reetoxa