The highly anticipated SPILL festival is going to be popping up across Ipswich this month and we, for one, cannot wait to see it! One particular act we’re chomping at the bit to view is ‘The Comeback Special’, featuring the filmed performance of Matt Johnson, from the acclaimed band ‘THE THE’, at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018, the first live performance from Matt Johnson for sixteen years!
It’s a unique multi-format project, which also includes a live album, exclusive photos and an art book. Jamie Moore sat down with Matt Johnson himself to talk about the sold-out shows and his upcoming SPILL appearance…
JM: We’ll start off easy, can you tell us a bit about how you got involved with SPILL?
MJ: Vicki Bennett is an old friend of mine; she’s a Suffolk girl, actually. I know her through a mutual friend and we’ve collaborated on a few things since. Most recently, on the world tour, she created these beautiful kaleidoscopic backdrops that we projected behind us as we performed. We had old concert footage and videos from my childhood, which she worked her magic on and transformed into these beautiful displays. Vicki is a very talented video artist in her own right, she has her exhibit Gone, Gone Beyond coming up soon at SPILL that everyone should check out. I love her work!
Anyway, she told me that the organisers of SPILL would love for me to get involved somehow and I thought, with having finished the new comeback special, that it would fit in perfectly! As a little boy, I went to go see the football games with my dad in Ipswich and we lived in West Suffolk sometimes, so I have very fond memories of the town and can’t wait to go back.
JM: What was it like to film the documentary and did you ever watch it back?
MJ: I didn’t watch it for a couple of years for various reasons. I wrote a new song and performed it for the documentary a couple of years ago and that sort of stimulated my interest in playing live again. So my agent contacted me and we put together a world tour.
The Royal Albert Hall performance was a particularly intense concert because I hadn’t played in London for many years and it was all being filmed. Also, most significantly, my father had passed a couple of days before the concert unexpectedly and he would’ve been at the Albert Hall. I didn’t know what to expect after being away for so long but it was such a positive experience.
Due to Covid, the film was delayed for a bit but it meant that we had more time to edit and mix the sound. I’m very proud of the film and it’s had tremendous feedback so far, I’m really keen to get it out there.
JM: Do you hope that this documentary brings in a newer audience?
MJ: Oh absolutely! I love hearing that younger people have come to a show and that the experience is spread over a wide age range. I love the idea that the songs might then move on and live with a new generation.
JM: Your music focuses a lot on vulnerable groups- why is that so important to you as a musician?
MJ: I suppose I had a working class upbringing, my parents were quite political. There was always a sense of fair play and supporting the underdog in my family. The powerful few take advantage of the less powerful many. We’re seeing it even now, the world seems to be run by these multi-billionaire oligarchs who have invaded many of the world’s institutions and there is a real sense of unfairness again in the world. It is a historical tale of humanity really; it’s always the same story. The country may change, the uniforms may change but the story never does.
JM: Your music is always progressing, which is incredible! For all the aspiring artists out there, how would you advise they do the same?
MJ: Just follow the feelings in your heart; be true to yourself. Where many artists make mistakes is when they try and copy other artists, you’re always going to be behind and out of date if you do that.
JM: Within SPILL, you have a Q+A section, are you looking forward to meeting everyone?
MJ: I always enjoy meeting everyone! There will also be Tom Pope there; we’ll be doing it together. He’s always a ball of laughs, we’ve been friends for many years. Q+A’s with us are quite fun, we’re never too serious about them.
JM: Who do you listen to and admire in the music industry right now?
MJ: Lone Ranger by Betty Davis, I love that track, I’ve been listening to that a lot. Another one I’ve been listening to is Baltimore by Randy Newman, there was a great cover by Nina Simone with that track. Another favourite track is called Coffee Cold, an old jazz piece. I’m very experimental with music genres; I’m pretty open-minded most of the time.
JM: Most definitely! My final question is what would you like to say to everyone who has supported your comeback or has been a fan of yours for a long time?
MJ: Just the biggest thank you for your patience. I know I leave huge gaps between projects but I hope that each time I come out with a new project that it’s worth the wait. I hope that my songs continue to play some part in the soundtracks of your lives. Thank you.
To see Matt in the flesh for yourself, be sure to head to the Ipswich Film Theatre during the SPILL Festival on Friday 29 October.
