Artist Glimpse - Mississauga's Matt Hinojosa
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In conversation with Mississauga’s Matt Hinojosa of Jammer's Waffle House, an award winning indie rock band founded through a strong passion to make music. He’s also part of the two-time Mississauga Music Award nominated indie folk trio Wilson & The Cast Aways. Matt works exceptionally hard at his artistry, plays multiple instruments and has an ever growing repertoire of familiar favourites and original compositions. He’s a definite crowd pleaser; engaging an audience and always leaving them wanting one more song.
Rob Aguiar: A recurring theme explored throughout this interview series has been the very personal nature of songwriting. You’re a part of two collectives and front one of them. How do individual backgrounds and experiences influence the collective sound and themes of your music?
Matt Hinojosa: I am always trying to bring a bit of my past self along for the ride whenever I play, there have been some really special musical moments I have had with the band over the years and when I perform I want audiences to feel the culmination of the journey we’ve been on.
RA: In my interview with Kelsi Mayne, she said that sharing vulnerable emotions and experiences is a huge part of the job. What role does vulnerability play for you when writing lyrics and how concerned are you that they resonate with a wider audience.
MH: I think everyone is looking to connect with you as an artist and breaking down the barriers with insightful lyrics into your authentic self is a great way to start! I have always used my writing as a way to process my own life experiences and initially the idea of sharing my thoughts with an audience was slightly daunting. I think there is something to be said for the relatability of the lyrics to the wider audience, but I think what makes resonance possible is the authenticity of the lyrics to yourself. The stronger connection you have with your art, the more meaningful it comes across to someone else!
“Maintaining objectivity about how you approach things is key to keeping things fresh and being open to different avenues of creativity has been beneficial in my own experiences.”
RA: Another common theme that I’ve discussed with songwriters over the last year is unexpected writer’s block or more concerning periods of creative stagnation. Do you feel these moments are rooted in emotional, mental, or external pressures? And, do you think these moments serve a purpose, such as a need to rest and recharge, a push to try a new direction, or simply a lesson of resilience?
MH: The process of being creative in any form comes with a toll after an extended period of time! I definitely feel that all three of those domains you mentioned can provide a cause for someone to hit a wall creatively. Personally I think these are excellent opportunities for growth and can be an opportunity to reevaluate my creative processes. Maintaining objectivity about how you approach things is key to keeping things fresh and being open to different avenues of creativity has been beneficial in my own experiences.
RA: No matter the art, one thing that is always present is the search for truth and the expression of authenticity. Can you discuss a moment where you faced a creative crossroads and the decisions you made to stay authentic to your artistic vision?
MH: There have been times when recording in the studio where I have absolutely encountered some difficult choices to make regarding the songs we are working on. There have been times where I have had to be persuasive to keep the song in line with what I had envisioned but at the end of the day, I always embrace hearing everyone’s thoughts and ideas in the studio setting.
RA: I have often said that lyrics tend to find me exactly when I need them. They can empower me, help me realize something, allow me to see things differently, and at times they simply kick my ass. Can you share a specific lyric that holds special significance for you personally?
MH: The first thing that popped into my head was the chorus to the Kevin Hearn song “Melody/Memory”.The chorus “A melody, like a memory, in my head” that repeats towards the end of the song always gives me a very strong sense of nostalgia, I was first getting into the swing of the music business when this album came out and I listened to this song a lot when I was working on the networking aspect of being a musician. Hearing this song takes me back to this beginning period, it helps me have a perspective on how far things have and how grateful I am for the journey.
