Interview by Chloe Goodrum ...
I was just wondering what your stance on music piracy is?
I believe I'm in the minority amongst working musicians who don't mind music piracy. There are loads of reasons, the music business/industry is full of talentless people reaping the monetary benefits of working with certain artists, some talented, some not so, and then bleeding artists, and loyal fans alike, dry.
I think we're all the blame for the failings and current instability of the music industry, artist have become lazy and apathetic blinded by the belief that they need a record deal or certain management to succeed and make a living making music, it's not all about selling records.
I like music piracy in that to a certain extent it democratises a lot of things, we can get all the music we want, and an independent artist can have his or her or their music listened to by as many people as a major record label act. The main factor for me though is it forces artists to perform live more in order to benefit from making music, and if you can't do it live and you can't cut it then, to speak metaphorically, the cream will always rise to the top.
If the hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of pounds spent each year by governments to aid mega industries and corporations in an attempt to curb music piracy was spent elsewhere we would still have beautiful music all around us everywhere. Music is not about money, it is about love, beauty, truth and existence. Before money existed we had music, so I believe it will outlive money too and this debate will be dead along with it.
Do you think it helps or hinders the spread of your music?
Helps massively, if someone wants my music that much and they can find an outlet for getting hold of it for free, then fair play to them.
And how does music piracy impact on you as an artist?
It doesn't really, it's something that record labels have promoted as a negative and with their tools of propaganda and publicisation have put it on the agenda as a killer of music and creativity. It is completely the opposite, I remember when 12" records came in a sleeve that said "Home Taping is Killing Music", and even then I thought not, home taping, copying CDs for your mates and illegally downloading is killing the music "industry", get on with it, Spread The Love !
Monday, 31 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Things I Like ... Gardening
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Things I Like ... Gardening: Springtime is upon us ! There's nothing better than getting yourself in the garden, hence the existence of Henshaw's Horticultural ...
Friday, 28 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Emily Carr
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Emily Carr: When you walk into a pub, order a pot of tea and take a seat, place you Wednesday scarf and coat on the back of your chair, take a sip and...
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Henshaw's Horticultural Blog: National Agriculture...
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Henshaw's Horticultural Blog: National Agriculture...: Happy National Agriculture Day everybody ... I don't really know what that means, but I just read it on the internets, so let us rejoice...
Monday, 24 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Becky Edwards
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Becky Edwards: Matt Henshaw here recommending again, and bringing you the beautiful people of the world that make music and songs. And they don't co...
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Becky Edwards
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Becky Edwards: Matt Henshaw here recommending again, and bringing you the beautiful people of the world that make music and songs. And they don't co...
Sunday, 23 March 2014
Matt Henshaw: Money or Passion, Your Choice ...
Interview by Seneer Asif ...
Matt Henshaw is a twenty six year old soul singer, songwriter, and composer. As well as loads of musical history and stories under his belt, Matt has been featured on a few Midland Hip Hop artists’ albums too as well as being a support act in various concerts for bands such as Snow Patrol. He believes that as long as you have the passion for something, you’ll find a way to make a living out of it no matter how difficult the odds.
Walking into a deserted bar in the cold of day, my eyes search around for Matt Henshaw. After some wandering around, I finally find Matt, sitting comfortably in a sofa, sipping a cup of tea, his attention swirls towards me as I say “Hi Matt’. After doing the usual greetings, we sit down and I produce my recording device out of my pocket as we begin with the interview.
“Matt! How are you sir? Could you begin with telling me a bit about yourself, what do you do and basically who is Matt Henshaw?” I begin the questions with a visible enthusiasm in my tone, as a smile appears on Matt’s bearded face.
Matt begins as he informs me that even though he’s based in Leicester but he grew up in Nottingham. For about six to eight months he has been making a living out of songwriting, and being a musician. Before all that he used to work at TotalFilm in London but then moved to Leicester and worked in the Leicester University. He quit his job there to pursue a career in music. Matt believes that, “if you’re passionate about something you can find a way of doing it for living. It’s obviously a risky and hard way of living but you have to take risks in order to do what you love”.
As I enquire him about his songwriting, he tells me that “songwriting is so much fun, producing is fun too”. This year he has signed a music deal where his songs are going to be played in supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and pubs around the world. He explains that it’s not a label, but a “new thing these days”. Matt informs me that the way the music industry has changed it’s almost like getting a record deal.
“Getting alongside a label is not that important anymore” Matt highlights. He believes that getting yourself out there is much more important. Matt explained that these days you can approach these companies personally rather than having to go through labels or management.
As I ask him why he loves soul music, Matt’s reply was nothing short of inspirational, ““Soul music is important to me because you can feel it. I see soul music as honest and sang with passion, and this is what I do. Soul music is from the heart”.
Matt likes to use personal pronouns, such as “we”, “you”, “they” “it”. He’s a private person so he doesn't try to personalise his songs but tries to write it in a way that it will gives the listener an opportunity to relate to it personally.
Upon me asking whether he had any massive, stupendous offers from anywhere Matt explained that recently he had a phone call from one of the producers of The Voice, before they were doing the new season. They said that they had listened to him and would like him to come, he wouldn't even need to go through the audition process, they would put him straight to the main shows. Matt’s answer was a plain “No”. “I said no I don’t want to do it, not something I would want to do”.
In his College days, Matt formed a band with his friends and they called it ‘Censored’. It was about not believing in censorship.
They were even signed up to same label as the one that Kelly Clarkson was signed up to when she first started in the music business. They even performed shows with bands such as Snow Patrol.
Matt gave an interesting example of the power of music “Someone played Snow Patrol’s ‘chasing cars’ at a party recently I was in, and everyone laid on the floor as the song was being sung, that’s the power of the music”.
Matt has made couple of albums and beats with rappers from the Midlands. “Different producers always bring different things to the table. Collaborations are a good way of reaching a wider audience” Matt believes.
Upon me asking where what his advice would be to someone who’s starting out with music and they don't have resources, Matt explained, “I don't think equipment matters. It’s the passion that does it. I had a £35 guitar from Argos as my first guitar. Be confident. Someone said to me once, if you learn an instrument you'll never be lonely again in your life, it will be your best friend”.
I had a job at Leicester University and I left that to make music. People thought I was crazy. We are in recession, people have lost jobs, lost mortgages, stuck in jobs they hate just for the sake of having a job, but I feel lucky and blessed.
As I asked him that what does music means to him, Matt Henshaw replies, “I wanted to make music to express myself. Music shouldn't be about making money or getting famous, that’s not it”. With that note, we finish the interview as we shake hands and I leave the bar.
Matt Henshaw is a twenty six year old soul singer, songwriter, and composer. As well as loads of musical history and stories under his belt, Matt has been featured on a few Midland Hip Hop artists’ albums too as well as being a support act in various concerts for bands such as Snow Patrol. He believes that as long as you have the passion for something, you’ll find a way to make a living out of it no matter how difficult the odds.
Walking into a deserted bar in the cold of day, my eyes search around for Matt Henshaw. After some wandering around, I finally find Matt, sitting comfortably in a sofa, sipping a cup of tea, his attention swirls towards me as I say “Hi Matt’. After doing the usual greetings, we sit down and I produce my recording device out of my pocket as we begin with the interview.
“Matt! How are you sir? Could you begin with telling me a bit about yourself, what do you do and basically who is Matt Henshaw?” I begin the questions with a visible enthusiasm in my tone, as a smile appears on Matt’s bearded face.
Matt begins as he informs me that even though he’s based in Leicester but he grew up in Nottingham. For about six to eight months he has been making a living out of songwriting, and being a musician. Before all that he used to work at TotalFilm in London but then moved to Leicester and worked in the Leicester University. He quit his job there to pursue a career in music. Matt believes that, “if you’re passionate about something you can find a way of doing it for living. It’s obviously a risky and hard way of living but you have to take risks in order to do what you love”.
As I enquire him about his songwriting, he tells me that “songwriting is so much fun, producing is fun too”. This year he has signed a music deal where his songs are going to be played in supermarkets, cafes, restaurants and pubs around the world. He explains that it’s not a label, but a “new thing these days”. Matt informs me that the way the music industry has changed it’s almost like getting a record deal.
“Getting alongside a label is not that important anymore” Matt highlights. He believes that getting yourself out there is much more important. Matt explained that these days you can approach these companies personally rather than having to go through labels or management.
As I ask him why he loves soul music, Matt’s reply was nothing short of inspirational, ““Soul music is important to me because you can feel it. I see soul music as honest and sang with passion, and this is what I do. Soul music is from the heart”.
Matt likes to use personal pronouns, such as “we”, “you”, “they” “it”. He’s a private person so he doesn't try to personalise his songs but tries to write it in a way that it will gives the listener an opportunity to relate to it personally.
Upon me asking whether he had any massive, stupendous offers from anywhere Matt explained that recently he had a phone call from one of the producers of The Voice, before they were doing the new season. They said that they had listened to him and would like him to come, he wouldn't even need to go through the audition process, they would put him straight to the main shows. Matt’s answer was a plain “No”. “I said no I don’t want to do it, not something I would want to do”.
In his College days, Matt formed a band with his friends and they called it ‘Censored’. It was about not believing in censorship.
They were even signed up to same label as the one that Kelly Clarkson was signed up to when she first started in the music business. They even performed shows with bands such as Snow Patrol.
Matt gave an interesting example of the power of music “Someone played Snow Patrol’s ‘chasing cars’ at a party recently I was in, and everyone laid on the floor as the song was being sung, that’s the power of the music”.
Matt has made couple of albums and beats with rappers from the Midlands. “Different producers always bring different things to the table. Collaborations are a good way of reaching a wider audience” Matt believes.
Upon me asking where what his advice would be to someone who’s starting out with music and they don't have resources, Matt explained, “I don't think equipment matters. It’s the passion that does it. I had a £35 guitar from Argos as my first guitar. Be confident. Someone said to me once, if you learn an instrument you'll never be lonely again in your life, it will be your best friend”.
I had a job at Leicester University and I left that to make music. People thought I was crazy. We are in recession, people have lost jobs, lost mortgages, stuck in jobs they hate just for the sake of having a job, but I feel lucky and blessed.
As I asked him that what does music means to him, Matt Henshaw replies, “I wanted to make music to express myself. Music shouldn't be about making money or getting famous, that’s not it”. With that note, we finish the interview as we shake hands and I leave the bar.
Thursday, 20 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: 'It Ain't Easy / My Life - EP' Little & Large Live...
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: 'It Ain't Easy / My Life - EP' Little & Large Live...: I'm so pleased to now have the complete set of all four songs from my debut record out there on YouTube, from the excellent Little &...
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Henshaw's Horticultural Blog: The Major Oak ...
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Henshaw's Horticultural Blog: The Major Oak ...: Good Afternoon / Good Evening fellows, Back to life, and back with the beauty of this world, for some inexplicable reason or another I ent...
Monday, 17 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: My Life in the USA - Friday's Launch Party - Spoti...
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: My Life in the USA - Friday's Launch Party - Spoti...: HAPPY MONDAY ! Here we go again, up the hill and around the bend ... another week and this one is most incredibly exciting ... Here's...
Saturday, 15 March 2014
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw's Acoustic Rhythm'n'Gospel Cavalcade ...
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw's Acoustic Rhythm'n'Gospel Cavalcade ...: Friday 21st March ! Next week at The Cookie Jar / The Crumblin' Cookie in Leicester !! Support from Matt Henshaw Recommends ... ac...
Monday, 10 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw Recommends ... James Byron
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw Recommends ... James Byron: I love James Byron, since I first saw him attempt to sing a Sam Cooke song, now I know anyone who knows me will know that I've a huge ...
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Henshaw's Horticultural Blog - Gardening Spring (A...
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Henshaw's Horticultural Blog - Gardening Spring (A...: Well, here we are, March, no snow, no rain, no hail, Sundshine !! Sunshiiiiiiiiiiine !! I've been out in the garden, Oasis on the ster...
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: It Ain't Easy / My Life OUT NOW !
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: It Ain't Easy / My Life OUT NOW !: Happy Birthday to my mum ! Get your copy of 'It Ain't Easy / My Life' Now from all good online digital retailers ... Avail...
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Monday, 3 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Things I Like ... Film
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Things I Like ... Film: Having stayed up last night watching the entirety of Ellen Degeneres bringing us the Academy Awards I feel like another thing I should sha...
Sunday, 2 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Mahalia
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: Matt Henshaw Recommends ... Mahalia: Quickly before we get into it, look up the wonderful Mahalia namesake Mahalia Jackson and enjoy some of the sweetest sounding American gos...
Saturday, 1 March 2014
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: March 2014 ... We Made It !
Matt Henshaw's Adventures In Wonderland: March 2014 ... We Made It !: Welcome to March everybody, countdown to the single release has begun ... You should probably should join the Matt Henshaw (Official Group...
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