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Web Exclusive: A conversation with Matt Thiessen of Relient K
Alternative Press - Tim Karan on 10/14/09 @ 7:00 AM - altpress.com
INTERVIEW: Lucy Albers
How is tour going so far?
It's really awesome. We're out with Barcelona and Copeland right now and those guys are really good fellows who play music that we like to listen to. Kids have been showing up, so everything is good so far.
You just released Forget And Not Slow Down last week. How does it feel to finally have it out there?
We've been excited about it for a while--while making it and what not. We've been excited for people to hear it. There were a lot of different things about making this record. The writing process was kind of weird. I did it out in this lake house for a while. I was by myself for a long time. It was nice. I was able to write all of the songs in a very uninterrupted way, which hasn't really happened before. During the recording, we actually took our time. We didn't feel in any way rushed. We had very easy and relaxed days. We'd show up at like 1 p.m. and we'd be done by like 6:30 at night. We just had a good time laughing and recording. We didn't want to work too hard and get burned out. Then we'd go home and start over the next day. I think that whole atmosphere made it very fun and easy to record.
Did you always plan on secluding yourself to write or was it a last-minute decision?
It was a combination of a lot of things. When I start to consider what I want to do to write a record, I do usually like to write by myself. The idea of being isolated was pretty appealing to me because I tend to cut out my social life when I write. I don't like to make plans during the day or for later or anything that can interrupt what I'm trying to do. I didn't really know where I was going to go, but a lot of things happened to work in a certain way. I was basically dropped off at a lake in Winchester, Tennessee, in January. I had a canoe and I'd go out on it. I'd have friends come out on the weekends. My friend Adam [Young] from Owl City came down and we worked on some of his songs. It was really good.
Young appears on your album, too. What was it like to work with him?
He came down and we worked on some songs for his Ocean Eyes record. During that process, we came up with some melodies and lyrics and chords and went to his place in Owatonna, Minnesota, and worked in his studio for a bit. Then I asked if he would want to make a track for this melody idea and lyrics. He did it on during his free time after making his record. So it became a B-side on the record. It's a great song and it was cool to work together.
It seemed like a lot of people didn't even know this album was coming out until the week it was released. Do you think there was less buzz about this release?
I think that we kind of intentionally wanted it to be way. Sometimes, I think albums are hyped too much and they lose their luster. I feel like our fans know that the record is out and hopefully they'll pick it up. And if they like it, they'll tell people about it. That way, hopefully the music kind of markets itself. Basically it's up to the people to decide if they like it, but we just had fun putting it out.
How has this album progressed from your previous ones?
I'm 29, now. Our fourth record, Mmhmm, was made when I was like 24 or 25. It was about everything I was going through back then, and there were a lot of the cheesy pop-punk songs. This record is a more of what I'm going through now at my age, and I finally know how to write about it. But even if you're not going through a break-up or anything, the songs are still relatable on a few different levels. There are also other things that happened that weren't just about a break-up. I had an uncle die while I was out at the lake and some other things like that that impacted the songwriting as well.
Relient K have always been recognized as a Christian band. Do you purposely try to have those underlying themes in your music?
Yeah, I guess. I mean, hopefully the lines are getting kind of blurred lately between everyone's opinions with that whole thing. But honestly, I am a hopeful person and I'm a Christian and that definitely shines through in the writing. That's just something I don't think I'll ever be able to avoid, and I don't really want to--especially when dealing with this kind of stuff. Honestly, I like to make music and I like to play shows. As long as people like our band, then whatever. Whatever anybody wants to call us doesn't really affect what we're doing. If I got mad at people calling us Christian, that would give me an ego. And if I encouraged it, that would give me an ego, too. I just kind of try to ignore it all.
What do you think it is about your band and your music that has kept you around for so long?
Man, I don't know. We really just care about our fans a lot and I think we relate to them in a very "peer" sort of way. That's how we like to envision it. We try not to do things that make our fans not like us and we just maintain our relationship with them. It's worked so far.
What else is in store for Relient K's future?
I just want to grow up. I feel like I'm 29 and I'm still learning. We want to keep going and keep getting better. Hopefully, people that pigeonhole us can listen to our music and like it. And hopefully, our listeners will grow with us. I think the biggest flaw of any band is that no band have ever written the perfect song--and we definitely haven't come anywhere close. I'm always writing and trying to become a better songwriter and, in turn, the band will be better. Our goal, I guess, is just changing for the better. alt
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i applaud you and your new album matt. well done. keep up the good work and stay classy.
This album's really, really good.
It is really really good. Go buy it. Word of mouth.
Relient K has grown on so many levels over the last few years. This album is starting to stand at the top. Like Matthew says in this interview, "even if you're not going through a break-up or anything, the songs are still relatable on a few different levels". I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. I can feel through the lyrics what he was going through. Not every artist is that genius at writing. Do yourself a favor and buy it right now. I'm 110% sure you won't regret it.
This album is one of the best of 2009. You should stop reading this and head to iTunes/Amazon and buy it right now!
Oh wow. Best album I've heard in a while. Sounds kind of like if MMHMM and The Bird And The Bee Sides got together and had a baby. Love it and the songs are great live. Keep doing the lake thing, I think it works :D
This is probably the most mature Relient K record up to date.
i like this album. it is better than the last one.
Best album since MMHMM! amazing...I hope they continue to make music forever!
forget and not slow down. amazing. very glad i got it a day early on amazon. an extra day of awesome music. thanks for the music guys :]
Great new Albume everyone. Buy It!
It really does show on this album how much Relient K have matured as musicians, and as individuals. This album is of stellar quality, and it really connects with the listener. Because of the genuine emotion put into each and every song, you can directly relate to what Matt was going through at the time, and apply it to times in your own life. The sound of the album as a whole is a lot more diverse and complex as well. A true sign that these boys are starting to really find themselves as artists.
I didn't realize Matt was so old. He looks pretty young to me. Nonetheless, his music is great and still has a great beat that even I can enjoy at my age. Thank you, Relient K!
i truly love relient k. they have been my fave band since middle school and i have loved every single album theyve made without fail, and it just keeps getting better and better. congrats guys! <33333
Forget and Not Slow Down is definitely the most mature of all the Relient K cds. Their sound has significantly changed since Five Score and Seven Years Ago, but they still sound the same. This cd is great and 2.5 years is a looong time to wait, but this album was totally worth it.
I love the new album and Relient K. They have been my favorite band since I first heard Sadie Hawkins Dance.
Good read. F&NSD is definitely the band's best album. And it reminds me why relient K is my favorite band.
Good CD. I really liked it.
Forget and not Slow Down has been playing nonstop in my head and my ipod... great album :D
i love the growth relient k has shown over the years. F&NSD is no exception. an amazing album put out by some amazing musicians...keep up the good work, guys! if you haven't yet, go buy this album. you won't regret it.
Great Interview! Great Band! This CD is Epic! Get It Now!
Listened to this album streamed and loved it. Can't wait to get the money on iTunes to buy it. :D
The whole album was great. Get it. It won't disapoint you. Has Relient K ever? In my opinion no. Wicked good job, RK.
this album is truly fantastic. and matt has always seemed like THE nicest guy. i am glad that they have evolved and aren't repeating their silly songs. that's awesome. blink182 tried to pull the same thing...but they were two seconds too late haha
i agree it is awesome
Awesome interview and album
i love this album and this interview is awesome!
We listened to the CD at my youth group last wednesday. It was great! This is a great interview!
I love this interview. I love their new album.
great new album guys! love yall
Awesome interview, great questions. This album is amazing and as a listener you can definitely a lot of heart was put into it.
This was a great article. Relient k is one of the best bands out there.
I've been a fan of you guys for a long time and this album has blown me away. Every song is brilliant. Great work guys. Can't wait to see you live
i definitely enjoyed this interview. i love that the band is evolving and maturing and it really showed through with this album. i feel like, as a person, i'm growing up with their music. the new album is fantastic.
Matt, you did a very good job with the lirics, just wonderful. I will continue following you guys because I know you are still gonna put even better music as the years progress. I love you guys ;)
Good interview. I thought it was interesting how RK tried to keep the buzz down about the album, but I really do think the music will speak for itself; I've listened to RK for years and this album is by far my favorite. I'm currently in a happy relationship but I was still able to connect emotionally with the whole album. The album made me feel what the songs were about in a way that no album ever has before, I was crying with no reason to. Brilliant work Matts, Jo(h)ns, and Ethan. I look forward to seeing you guys again (you need to come to UT more often though).
I've been a die hard fan of Relient K since the Anatomy of tongue and cheek album(although I have the album before that as well) and I appreciate this interview with Matt Thiessen. He's really a talented songwriter and I love learning more about how he does it.
You guys are amazing!! Best CD yet!! God has continued to bless you with yet another CD with great lyrics and your great and unique sound! Great interview! :)
Relient K makes me so happy. This is a great interview!
I cant stop listening to the new album. keep up the great work Relient K!!!
This is a great interview! It covers all the things that no other interview has done yet. Very interesting! It's cool to hear about how he and Adam Young collaborated and such.
I love Relient K! The new album is amazing and I seriously can't stop listening to it :)
I just love this band. I feel like Matty T has it right when he says he just wants people like like his music. That is what the band is about. The members sing about what they are going through and people that like it will buy their music. Keep it up guys!
I've got to say this is Relient K's best album yet! I'm totally loving the new tunes. Keep up the good work.
i love this album so much: the lyrics are beautiful and insightful. relient k is the best! :)
I absolutely love RK and especially Thiessen :D This album is fantastic! The lyrics are mind blowing. Everyone should buy this album. Keep it up, guys :)
Great interview! I love hearing artists talk about their music. especially when it's Relient K! I can't stop listening to F&NSD. It's definitely one of their best albums!
this is exactly the reason i love relient k! matt is so genuine and the guys all just seem so approachable. its like you coul djust call em up and go down the street to get starbucks together or something. and their music is so real. no matter what's going on in your life you can find a relient k song to relate it to. this is by far their best album yet and i look forward to the many more to come
I love how he says he doesn't want to avoid his Christianity in his music. He sticks to what he believes and what works for him and that shows in his music. It's what makes his lyrics so awesome.
I love this album!!! Keep rockin Relient K!