It was late, I was drunk, and I was forwarded to voicemail where I rambled on for way too long, saying everything but what I wanted to say.
Matthew Lee and the Standbys create an engaging musical sound in NYC through their indie ensemble which blends emo indie with nostalgia rock and folk-punk. The debut single Falling Apart brings listeners a genuine late-night revelation alongside heartfelt storytelling.
In this five-quickfire questions interview, we explore what fuels their signature blend, the inspiration behind Falling Apart, and how they intend to make waves in today’s ever-evolving indie scene. Let’s dive in.
As for how we plan to stand out, we just want to make good music, eat good food and drink great beer.
How did you craft your unique blend of emo indie, nostalgia rock, and folk-punk?
Matthew Lee: I grew up listening to old country and alternative rock. Randy Travis, The Judds, and Garth Brooks were on the radio constantly in our house, but when I found time alone playing Super Mario or Zelda, I’d throw my headphones on and listen to Matchbox Twenty, Everclear, and The Gin Blossoms. I was fortunate enough to be in high school for the early Myspace Era – where I found My Chem, Panic!, and two of my favorite bands still; Matchbook Romance and The Weakerthans.
I’ve always admired how these bands felt lived in, loved and familiar even when brand new to me. Obviously from there, it was a spread of all of the usual suspects; Black Flag, Osker, The Smoking Popes, Ludo. When starting this band and specifically this project, I wanted to emulate that familiarity – new tunes that feel like an old favorite sweater that you just keep coming back to. I’m not sure if it’s a real subgenre yet, but we’re running with Retro-Indie.
What inspired Falling Apart, and is it more personal or universal?
Matthew Lee: The song is inspired by a one-sided conversation I had with someone I had a thing for way back in college – I’m almost positive it was the first night I had really gone out and partied. It was late, I was drunk, and I was forwarded to voicemail where I rambled on for way too long, saying everything but what I wanted to say. It was the first time I had experienced that level of anxiety. I wanted to recreate that circular one-sided conversation with the push and pull of what that felt like in the moment. And I hope it resonates, because anxiety is a real problem for a lot of people.
How do you plan to stand out in the competitive indie scene?
Matthew Lee: Ah, yeah, the scene is a little saturated these days. Which is great! I absolutely love the entire spectrum of what the indie scene has become – there’s something new, for everyone, always. And more importantly, there’s a seat at the table for everyone. As for how we plan to stand out, we just want to make good music, eat good food and drink great beer. We try to hang with bands on the bill, try local breweries and bbq joints. We strive for our superpower to be building community.
How did the production reflect the song’s emotional highs and lows?
Matthew Lee: So that pentatonic guitar riff in the first line was a last-minute add. We tried a ton of different sounds, but we decided on a distorted lead that eventually blends with a synth as it descends. It comes back time and again, leaving the narrator right where they started. Also, the dropout right at 2:00 is the emotional release the entire song has built up to. We’re really proud of that.
What challenges have you faced launching your debut, and what advice do you have for indie artists?
Matthew Lee: Eh, we don’t necessarily have youth on our side when it comes to marketing. Aside from that, it’s just hard to market an indie band – that thing I said about the broad spectrum of indie music can be a double-edged sword. The biggest thing we’ve learned in this launch is specificity; demo a few tunes and find exactly what your niche is. And if it doesn’t exist yet, make it up and run with it. Persistence and confidence are key.
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