Vinyl Station took a moment to answer our questions about their music and what inspires them. Let’s see what they have to say!
Moosic: Tell us a bit about your music journey. How has it shaped you?
Matthew Thornton: Music was never an option. I had to play. I didn’t decide to play or not to play. I just do it.
Music was important to me as soon as I started playing and singing with my older brother Patrick. He started playing guitar and we would work out harmonies together, and it was such a great feeling. I wasn’t very good but for some reason I couldn’t stop. I would play and sing (poorly) for hours after school and work, neglecting my homework. It’s just something I had to do and I still feel that way.
Music has affected every part of my life. It has brought me my wife, my friendships, my confidence, my personality, a living, ego deaths, health, vulnerability, and most of my understanding of the nature of the universe. So, it has had some tiny effect on me.
Music has also shaped how I think of success. Some people will ask (with wonderful intentions) why I don’t try out for music based reality shows because it seems like that might lead to “success” in music. Everyone is trying to “make it big.” My thinking might be a coping mechanism for not “making it big,” but I don’t worry about that anymore. Success is playing songs for people who will listen. One is enough. None is kinda boring, to be honest. Which I have done. Recently.
What inspires you to write music?
There is a connection that can be made with music with a stranger, a friend, or possibly another dimension that makes it unlike anything else. That’s the feeling to chase. And yes, it’s more intense and more fun to connect that feeling with 10,000 people, but it’s just about the song. I just have to play songs. And I get to do that with some really great and talented friends.
How would you describe your sound to someone unfamiliar with it?
To someone unfamiliar, I describe our sound as “nice sounding medium rock.” We try really hard to make it sound nice because it’s not terribly original or groundbreaking. I borrow from all my favorites: The Edge’s guitar, The National’s snare tone, and I try to conjure Justin Currie’s lyric writing but I’m never even close. Some genius is out of reach even when trying to shamelessly steal it. Then I try to sing as earnestly as I can because I love the songs. That’s the long version. In an elevator I usually say something like “It’s ok, but it’s not for everyone.”
Would you tell us about your current project, album/EP, or song you’re promoting?
We are promoting our song “Here Comes Your Ghost” and our EP Answer Slow. Most of the songs were out for a while but pulled offline (not sure why). So we re-recorded them and updated them to how we play them now. We love how these turned out and want them to be out in the world again.
What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your music?
I’d love to have listeners feel a connection to the song. But if they don’t, that’s ok too. Art will reach some and not others. I wouldn’t presume to tell someone how to feel when they see a painting, other than to ask them to give it a little attention so it has a chance to reach them. If you like it and you feel something? Cool. If not? Cool. If you hate it and want to hire a terminator to go back in time and kill me before recording anything? I get it.
Who are your top three artists right now? If that’s not a fair question, what’s your favorite song right now?
Top 3 is easy. Gregory Alan Isakov, Peter Gabriel, Phoebe Bridgers.
What’s the easiest way for fans to connect with you?
Not sure how they can connect the easiest. Probably Instagram? Email?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylstationband
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vinylstation
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1aALHW5q6ScO7bM4Wl9Ro9?si=7VxAS7jtSfKEj0-croJJWA&nd=1&dlsi=adb61abddf544767
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUP0JLRH6m39H3dfyJR_uPA
What’s next for you?
What’s next is an easy one too! More music. We are working on an album to follow up this EP. I look forward to doing some writing. We have been so busy with recording and production that I have missed writing and can’t wait to get some sessions in. But those songs will arrive when they need to. I trust them.
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
Thanks so much for reading if you made it this far. Tolkien said his universe was sung into being. I think ours was too and it’s nice to participate in that. (This is the nerd paragraph. Just be grateful it’s not longer.)
Bio:
Vinyl Station are an indie rock band from Phoenix, Arizona, that bring an intimate introspective feel with epic songs that draw you in and bloom to fill stadium stages. Starting out in 2010, the band sets a blistering pace, one year topping out with 394 shows in 12 months. The hard work paid off as they were selected to open on tour for Rob Thomas, performing live in 2,000- to 10,000-person arenas.
The momentum they gained touring with Rob Thomas continues today. Their dedicated fanbase continues to grow, and follow them to new venues and recordings. With a new EP, Answer Slow, set for release in the spring, and more new music on the way later in 2024, Matthew and the band hope to see you at a show soon.
