Where can we find you right now and what are you up to?
I’m based in Connecticut USA playing throughout the local scene. I recently finished my website mattpachecomusic.com and lately, I’ve been busy finishing an upcoming album “Timewave Theory"; and releasing some singles in the meantime. I always need to keep things moving for my own sanity.
How would you define success? What is your goal?
I define success as being fulfilled in every moment - being able to remember who I am and why I am here and to be okay with where I’m at. Success to me is living my life in a way that fills my cup, and in turn trusting I will play my part in the greater good and be able to fill others cups as well, ultimately just by being myself. It’s all about bringing light here to the planet and the people. I often refer to all my music as “Audioasis.” (aw-dee-oh-ay-sis) That word represents what my goal is — to provide an oasis of music for people to experience. That’s what I’m really working towards, is fulfilling Audioasis, and playing my part in bringing that forward here to Earth.
How did you start?
I started by dancing around to the Charlie Brown Theme Song in diapers. Ha but really, I’d bang gibberish on the piano every morning until my parents realized they should probably get me lessons. So shortly after I started classical piano lessons at age 4 at the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, CT, where I was fortunate enough to have a fabulous teacher until age 22. My drive to create my own stuff started at a young age too and I’ve been adding fuel to the fire ever since.
What is a typical day in your life as an artist?
My typical day is waking up, making fresh squeezed juice with whatever concoction I can put together, drinking coffee out of habit, and then finally settling down to my keyboard where I’ll probably noodle for a while or jump into whatever it is that I feel needs my attention song-wise. Each day really is a constant challenge to remind myself of who I am and why I’m here. So usually mid-morning I’ll do some breathing exercises or go to the gym which really helps. Connecting with that has really been beneficial to me lately.
www.mattpachecomusic.com/music
What worked for you marketing-wise? What advice or tips would you give to new artists?
Being as authentic as possible works marketing wise. When I was growing up I struggled a lot with what other people thought of me. So whenever I can get into that state of authenticity and capture that, I’m confident that is what people resonate with. People are after someone they can trust nowadays.
What do you think of AI in music?
I think there’s no stopping it. It’s already here and we have to learn how to evolve alongside it. The AI can and will be able to do almost anything, but it still won’t be able to create what you as a creator can bring through. Only you will be able to do that. Yes, I’m sure I can give it a prompt and it can make 1000 Matt Pacheco songs instantaneously. But at least for me as an artist, I still need to feel like I’m offering my own unique value to the world. It won’t be hindering my creativity is what I’m saying. These technologies can be very beneficial to us individually and collectively if we use them with good intentions. Yes, I think a lot will be replaced with AI, especially in terms of mundane work and even art; but that doesn’t change the fact that we still have something to say as artists, and we can’t lose the unique perspectives we all have. I just learned yesterday the term “Techno-creativity,” which is the intersection of technology and creativity. In my opinion, that’s what we are living in and we’ll need to learn how to utilize both for our own highest result for the benefit of everyone.
If you want to listen to anything new today, listen to Acid Circus!
Tell us about your latest or upcoming release.
I recently wrote a soundtrack for the board game “Candyland.” 'The Candyland Suite' contains music and themes for all the characters and places of the board game i.e. Mr. Mint, Lord Licorice, King Kandy all have themes. It’s orchestral-based mixed with electronic elements. It’s definitely one of the biggest undertakings I’ve done to date — 1 hour 40 minutes of music, which I technically started back in late 2016, and through the years have been working to complete it. It wasn’t until a local CT Farm built an actual physical Candyland display (coincidentally down the street from me) that really pushed me to finish the Suite, where my music served as background for visitors playing the life-sized game. I’m working some other fun ideas to get this music played live in different formats.
Photo by Sam Carlson @sgcarlson