Pigeon Spins Featuring an Interview with Matare

Matare - Extinction Burst

Introducing "Extinction Burst," a collection of tracks that draw inspiration from a diverse range of influences including The Chameleons, Foster The People, The Cure, Depeche Mode, and New Order. Each song on the album tells a story rooted in personal experiences and emotions, reflecting a journey of self-discovery and reflection. With a blend of post-punk, new wave, and alternative rock elements, "Extinction Burst" promises to be a standout release that defies genre boundaries and resonates with audiences on a profound level.

Matare, hailing from Atlanta, United States, is the mastermind behind the singles “Veinte” and most recently tracks like “I Could Kill You But I Love You” and "Attach Your Memories". Matare is a solo project that focuses on a retro new wave/post punk sound mixed with dream pop and shoe-gaze sensibilities. After releasing multiple singles leading up to the album titled, "Extinction Burst", several singles that did not conceptually fit into the album are slated to be released riding out 2025. Matare also released vinyl versions of both albums including his debut album, "Patternicity."

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Interview with Matare

Extinction Burst blends post-punk, new wave, and shoegaze. How do you decide which elements to highlight in each track?

It all just flowed out naturally. Every song is a completely different story and I literally don't even have a plan before I start.

Your influences range from The Cure to Depeche Mode. Which artist shaped this album the most and why?

I would say artists like Paradise Blossom, Human Tetris, Soviet Soviet, The Kills, Motorama, The Chameleons, The Sundays. It goes on and on forever.

Many of your songs are rooted in personal experiences. How do you turn those emotions into your music?

I let the words kind of just flow out of me and they usually don't make any sense. Then I piece them all together and once its complete, I realize I was subconsciously telling a story.

How did Veinte, I Could Kill You But I Love You, and Slicing Knives set the stage for Extinction Burst?

Veinte is a song about being happy and enjoying loved ones. Extinction Burst is about all my happiness being shattered and replaced with anxiety and anger at people that I thought were good but realize they aren't perfectly lined up with my ideals about how to treat other humans.

The album promises a genre-defying sound. Was that intentional or did it evolve naturally in the studio?

It evolved as I traveled through the songs. There were several points that I thought the album was complete but then added another layer. I still feel like I could have added more songs but the time constraints forced me to stop and accept the genre and overall sound that was there.

Your project mixes retro aesthetics with modern production. How do you balance nostalgia with freshness?

I released a song last year that had none of the signature traits that I have built up for myself and the response was negative. I lost many followers instantly so that told me that I need to be a little deliberate about my sound. I try to add certain guitar tones like the Roland jazz amp or effects like heavy chorus and delay. But I also like 808 bass drums and crisp hi hats as well. So its a balance I have to be mindful of.

The vinyl release is paired with your first album, Patternicity. How do these two projects connect?

The artwork follows a similar pattern, statue busts of a face. Patternicity is introspective where as EB is more about the world and ideology.

How does being a solo artist shape the creative process compared to working with a band?

It gets lonely but of course the freedom is amazing. It can also be a detriment because I don't' have anyone to tell me when an idea may be a bad one.

Looking ahead, what new directions or experiments are you excited to explore in your music?

I have an album worth of music that did not fit conceptually into Extinction Burst. I am finding interesting ways to release it for the remainder of 2025.

(•)> That's all, Folks! Check out Matare on the Pigeon Spins Playlist