With a new EP to promote and a lifetime of stories to share, American Authors’ Matt Sanchez stops by Inside Music to talk all things entertainment.
Growing up in music is hard. The sound that makes you somebody people know may not reflect the sound you want to define your career. Every artist and band face this hurdle at one point or another, but it’s hardest on those who hit it big early in their careers. Those first singles and records can mean everything to everyone who cares about your music, but with a little luck and a lot of talent, it is possible to mature. Fortunately for American Authors, they have skills and luck to spare.
When American Authors hit it big with “The Best Day Of My Life,” no one could predict what would happen next. That song became the ‘gold standard’ in music licensing, producing placements in dozens of commercials, films, and television shows. It’s the kind of song that everyone knows even if they don’t know the musicians behind it, and that kind of success can be a double-edged sword. American Authors can do what they love full-time, but they know a very specific form of industry pressure that other musicians don’t understand.
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With their third album, Seasons, American Authors took a chance on themselves by giving fans something different. The big hooks the group made their name on remain, but the structure and feel of the music as a whole shifted toward something more significant and more meaningful. The band made the record they wanted to make, and, fortunately for them, fans welcomed their evolution with open arms.
The band’s new EP, Counting Down, is the conclusion to this era of American Authors. It’s everything want to hear, as well as an exploration of where the group may go in the future. American Authors do not have a plan, per se, but they recognize that change is the only constant, and they make it clear with this release that they find excitement in not knowing what the future holds.
On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, American Authors’ drummer Matt Sanchez stops by to discuss various topics, including his band’s new EP. Matt tells James about the evolution of the group and the friction that occurs when musicians try to change their sound. The pair also discuss maintaining your creativity amid a global pandemic, becoming the ‘gold standard’ in music licensing, and the allure of Nashville. It’s a big conversation stuffed into a small amount of time, and we believe you’re going to love how it sounds.
