We’re looking forward to introducing you to Matt Wheatley. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Matt, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
My normal day is always a little different, but it’s typically spent creating songs, tracks, and sound design currently.
That usually entails pitching music to music supervisors as well for placements in TV, film, and video games.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have made a career out of being able to figure things out. Whether that be learning a new skill or talking to the right person. Through that I’ve been able to gain a vast amount of experience doing just about everything you can think of in the music industry. And it’s that very unique experience that really sets me apart from others.
As a songwriter, producer, composer, engineer, and artist I’m able to take a simple idea and transform it into a polished, radio ready track all within the same 4 walls. And with my wide array of musical experience I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing how the get the sound my clients are looking for.
It’s still one of my favorite things in life when I get to sit with a client for the final master and get that good chill of an amazing song. That’s what I live for.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I was 17 years old I went to the Louisville school for the blind to learn how to drive. Let me explain.
I was born legally blind, which I no longer am, but my eyesight is still not great. It was bad enough that I could not get my drivers license without the use of specially made glasses. Luckily for me, Kentucky started a new program for people like me where you could learn to use the Bioptic glasses to learn how to drive. So at the age of 17 I became the first person through that program. But I was sorely unprepared for my experience at the school for the blind.
In my young ignorance I thought there would be several people just like me taking the 2 week course and staying at the school. Turns out it was just me and one other older gentleman taking the program. The rest of the folks we were staying with at the school were learning how to navigate basic life without being able to see. Amazing people who were learning how to deal with blindness and do basic functions like feeding themselves or making it to the bathroom without having a fall. Day after day I watched these fierce individuals persevere and I soon felt foolish. I was there to gain the great privilege of driving while I watch others struggle for a far less version of freedom. But when I told my story to those who would never know what it’s like to drive, every single person was so happy for me. There was no sense of “oh I wish that was me” which surprised me. A truly humbling moment in my life that has always stayed with me. Life is what you make it, not what you’re given.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I have almost never been the most talented person in a room, and I’m ok with that now. But I’ve had my fair share of ego hits where I’ve had that thrown in my face. I’ve been in bands where the band was asked to play gigs without me. Not because I was a drunken fool, but because someone thought I wasn’t talented enough to play with them. Or being passed over on producing projects because I “wasn’t ready”.
But the only thing those experiences have ever done is to make me do what I do best, and that’s outwork everyone around me. That’s how I’ve always been able to overcome.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
What you see is what you get with me. And I think people appreciate that for the most part. Especially in the music industry where good is the enemy of great. And we all want to achieve that greatness together if we can.
I genuinely root for all my friends and family to win at whatever they choose to do and I also genuinely eat too many tacos. That’s just me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
As much as I’d love to be remembered as a half of fame songwriter and producer, what I hope people say most about me when I’m gone is that you never had to even ask and he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. I hope they remember my kindness and willingness to help.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mattwheatleymusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheatleymusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewawheatley?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: @wheatleymusic
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/wheatleymusic/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/wheatleymusic
