Today’s spotlight is on Matt Moran from Matt Moran & the Palominos, a band based out of Western Oklahoma. This is the fourth and final Friendsgiving spotlight, and it also marks the end of the year for Get Western. I couldn’t have come up with a better way to end the year than with a spotlight on one of my favorite artists. So, let’s get into it because, really, who is Matt Moran? 

When did Matt first start playing music, and what drew him to it? Matt said, “Well, I started pretty early. I had a guitar in my hands by seven, and Dan (my twin brother and our bass player) was on a piano bench at five. We weren’t a musical family by any means, so I’m not sure where the mutual interest came from.” How would Matt describe the band’s sound to someone who’s never heard their music? He said, “I’ve had a few folks describe our sound as ‘if the Gin Blossoms started a country band,’ and I can get behind that. What can I say? We’re all products of the 90s.”

Who or what inspired Matt to start making music? He said, “This is always such a difficult question. My mind starts racing, comparing this artist to that artist, this album to that album. So I’m going to go with the simplest answer possible: CMT, VH1, & MTV.” Who are some artists that have influenced Matt the most? He told me, “In my formative years, there were three cassette tapes that ultimately shaped my future: ‘This Time’, Dwight Yoakam, ‘August and Everything After’, Counting Crows, ‘Dookie’, Green Day.”

What’s been Matt’s favorite show or venue to play so far? He said, “It’s always a good time at Kirby’s Beer Store in Wichita, KS. Stop in around 10pm for an Old Milwaukee and tell Seth and Trapper I said hey.” What about his dream venue to play at? Well, Matt said, “It’s gotta be the Ryman or the Opry, right? Hah! But on a realistic level, I’d take one with a green room with a coffee pot.”

Have there been any major turning points in Matt’s career so far? He said, “Adding the Palominos was the best thing I could have ever done. These guys have stepped up the sound to a level I could have never achieved myself.” What’s something about Matt and/or the band that people might not expect? Matt said, “When your job is to perform and listen to country music all the time, you don’t really put it on in the van.”

What does Matt hope people feel when they hear his music? He said, “I just want people to feel something new.” What does success look like for Matt in music? He told me, “I think we’d all love to quit the day job, haha! But to be honest, I try not to have expectations. Just go with the flow, and if you’re happy, then you’re doing something right.” How does Matt balance music with the rest of his life? He said, “That has definitely not always been the easiest challenge, but I’ve gotten a lot better at it. I’m married with kids, so communication is absolutely key. I try not to stay gone for too long at one time either.”

What’s one piece of advice Matt would give to someone just starting out in music? He said, “They call Nashville a ten-year town for a reason. You have to be in it for the ride and not the result.” On September 12th! Matt and the band released an album called “The Ba’ar.” Matt said It’s a record about getting sober and figuring yourself out…all while touring the country.” You can follow Matt and the band on most socials @mattmoranmusic. Matt said if you aren’t into that, they have a monthly newsletter you can sign up for on their website https://mattmoranmusic.com/.

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Thank you for reading this week’s artist spotlight! I hope you enjoyed getting to know who Matt Moran is behind his music. Go check him out, and go catch him at a show. As always, be good to yourself, stay western, and stay tuned!