http://www.homertribune.com/article.php?aid=4363
Matt Hopper is a perpetual musician; the do-it-yourself kind who has
built a career through many facets of the music world. Raised in
Hatcher Pass since he was 3, Hopper’s work as a press music writer,
radio music director and concert promoter take a sideline to his talent
as a musician.
His varied experience, however, contributes to the fact that Hopper has a solid understanding of what he does.
And that’s matched only by a persistence to get what he wants.
In
2001, Hopper hit the Anchorage music scene with vigor through the
formation of his current band – albeit with different players – the
Roman Candles. By 2003, he achieved recognition as one of the best
local bands in Alaska.
“Back then, I was a semi-preppy, Christian, Emo kid,” Hopper said.
Working
a straight job as music director at KNBA 90.3 FM in Anchorage, he
picked up his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from UAA.
Feeling the limitations of the Alaska music scene, Hopper headed south
and found himself a niche as a singer/songwriter in Los Angeles. What
began in California took him to the road and he became a traveling
troubadour on one eternal tour.
For nearly three years, Hopper
lived without a permanent address, inspired by the exploratory visions
of Kerouac, Krakauer and London. His travels took him to 45 states, and
musically provided a diverse array of experience, regardless of whether
he was performing solo gigs or accompanying others. Hopper has paired
up with the likes of Pedro the Lion, Erin McKeown, Cameron McGill and
the Cold War Kids.
“I would record here and there, in studios all
over the country,” Hopper explained. “I’d write every week, and they
were songs about Alaska, road songs, personal stuff; just whatever came
to me.”
No longer the emo kid of his youth, Hopper has developed a
style that is both comparable to his influences, yet distinctly his
own. And, while he’s got vocal slides reminiscent of Mason Jennings, it
is, perhaps, his ability to write a “catchy tune” that harnesses
listeners in.
Being likened to other artists, a natural tendency many musicians scoff at, is not something Hopper is troubled by.
“I’m
not trying to be anyone else but myself,” he said. “But my influences
are pretty easy to spot. There are people who say, ‘you remind me of
Tom Petty and Jack Johnson,’ because that’s what they know. I don’t
mind being grouped in with people like that because that’s the kind of
music I listen to.”
Nor does Hopper balk at his rock style being classified as “pop.”
“My
influences are very melodic,” he explained. “I really like catchy tunes
and write hooks in every song that I can sink into the skin – even if
they’re subtle. “I’m really into epic.”
But with his ability to
hammer out an appealing tune on his guitar, Hopper also embodies a
compelling sensibility to lyrically conjure a world that is both
personal in its exposure and commanding in its scope.
With five
records released since 2001, all on his own Hatcher Pass label, Hopper
is now based in Boise, Idaho. It’s a city with a supportive independent
music scene, hot summers and exceptional skiing. And while Hopper found
that permanent address he was looking for, he continues to maintain the
same philosophy that carried him down the road and defined his creative
process.
“My approach is a daily approach,” he explained. “You’ve
got 24 hours in a day that you can spend however you like. I try to
balance it out so that I’m not just doing one thing every day. My
process is when inspiration strikes, it strikes. Sometimes you have to
sit down and write it out with a pen and record it.”
Hopper is
indeed a motivated musician, desirous of life’s lessons to use as his
muse. Returning to Alaska for a mini tour with his Roman Candles,
Hopper will debut newly appointed drummer A. Nigel Gates, as well as
bassist Sean Hatton.
Matt Hopper hits Homer on June 26. Armed with
three-part harmonies and a sweeping array of songs from the road, the
band is serious about what they do.
Still, they make no promises on just how it will be done.
Then again, the best artistic creation doesn’t come from common predictability.
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