Matt Grandbois

August 7, 2025

Interview By: Danielle Holian

Matt Grandbois is an emerging artist making waves with his debut album Somewhere, Probably. Blending pop, alternative, and indie influences, the record offers an intimate look into his journey of growth and self-discovery. With echoes of John Mayer’s storytelling and Jason Mraz’s sincerity, Matt brings a fresh yet heartfelt voice to the indie scene. We had the opportunity to chat with him about his debut release and learn more about who he is as he dedicates himself fully to music and shows no signs of slowing down.

Can you share a little bit about yourself?

I’m 26, originally from Boston, but spent five years in Colorado before landing in DC about a year ago. Music’s been my constant companion since first grade—started with guitar (though I was more interested in being a rockstar than practicing!), picked up drums in middle school, added piano and vocals in high school, and just started learning bass this year. I’m a total goofball who loves being around quality people and prefers going with life’s flow rather than forcing things. Here’s a nerdy fun fact: I taught myself web development in 7th grade because I was fascinated by the idea of sharing beautiful information with people across the world from a single virtual location. I’m also passionate about landscape photography, creative writing, and storytelling. My artistic influences are all over the map—John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Kevin Ross, Dre Scot, Tone Stith, Avenged Sevenfold, Joe Hisaishi, Lucky Daye, Keshi, Chappell Roan, Ella Fitzgerald, Bruno Mars, Chopin, and so many more. I could go on for hours, but I’ll spare you!

You released your debut album Somewhere, Probably this summer. What does this release mean to you? How does it represent you?

This record represents accountability and authenticity. It’s proof that you can emerge from your darkest moments stronger and more loving. To me, it symbolizes choosing truth over conditional acceptance, and it means everything. The journey began when I moved to DC, living alone for the first time without family, friends, or roommates nearby. Removing everything comfortable forces you to listen to your heart and soul. There was this uncomfortable silence after I moved that pushed me into a creative renaissance. I no longer felt pressure to act a certain way or portray a particular version of myself. This album became my way of processing those feelings and confronting my demons head-on. I learned so much about who I am, what I want, and how to break free from autopilot living. In essence, this project represents me finding myself and overcoming the hardest mental battles of my life—it’s a tale of triumph, resilience, and the quest for truth.

How does it feel to finally be releasing your first album?

My whole life, I dreamed of this moment, always picturing the end goal rather than the creative journey. But the actual process—the work, the creative burnout, the self-doubt—that’s where the real magic happened. What’s interesting is that I didn’t start writing these songs with an album in mind. I wrote them to process my own emotions. Before I knew it, I had two songs, then four, then seven, then eventually eleven. The weirdest part was seeing my album appear on Spotify for the first time at midnight. After nine months of perfecting these songs, it felt almost underwhelming—like a quiet ending to a massive quest rather than the huge celebration I’d imagined. But reflecting on it, I realized the end goal was never why I wrote these songs. The real victories were all the small moments along the way—each demo, each new mix, each step toward becoming who I’m meant to be. So to answer your question: it feels completely right.

Your new album captures a powerful evolution, emotionally, musically, and personally. How did the solitude of living alone for the first time in D.C. shape the vulnerability and honesty we hear in these songs?

Real self-discovery happens when you remove yourself from your comfort zone. When you don’t have familiar people or habits to lean on, you’re forced to unlock your true self, and that’s exactly what happened when I moved to DC. I knew one friend here, barely knew my way around without GPS, and felt this draining but necessary isolation. It reminded me of my fascination with Transcendentalism growing up—this idea that to find yourself, you must rid your life of everything and everyone to discover truth in solitude. But here’s what struck me: technology has created a paradox where we’re more connected yet more isolated than ever. Working a remote job I hated, having money and possessions but no close friends—I realized that having “everything” and having nothing can feel identical. It’s like when water is so hot it feels cold. This modern isolation through overstimulation drove me to a breaking point where my soul was ready to explode. That’s what shaped this project—realizing that having “everything” doesn’t matter if you don’t have what your heart and soul are craving: genuine human connection. In a way, I felt like a modern-day Transcendentalist.

You’ve blended pop, alternative, and indie sounds with emotional storytelling rooted in your classical and metal influences. How do those diverse musical roots, everything from Chopin to The Rev, manifest in the way you approached songwriting and production for this record?

Genuine art doesn’t follow a playbook. All my favorite composers and artists—from Chopin to Avenged Sevenfold—get absorbed into my subconscious and naturally blend together when I create. I typically have songs fully fleshed out and produced in my mind before recording them. If they’re not complete, I’m constantly thinking about them until I hear that finished product. Everything manifests organically and without effort because these influences have played such a pivotal role in my human experience. I see each song as an opportunity to tell my unique story, forged from my wildly varying life experiences and creative influences.

Much of Somewhere, Probably deals with the pain of unspoken truths and the journey to self-expression. Were there any specific moments or conversations that made you realise it was time to stop hiding and translate those feelings into music?

Absolutely. The breaking point was developing strong feelings for a friend but being too afraid to tell them, then having a private heartbreak when I saw them with someone else. I remember thinking, “Matt, you’re 25 and you literally cannot tell people how you feel. What the hell?” A philosophical mentor introduced me to “memento mori”—Latin for “remember, death is coming.” This became my mantra, not as a morbid obsession but as a reminder of life’s urgency. Choosing to tell someone how you feel “eventually” basically means you’ll probably die before you do. That realization last year made me say “F*ck it!” and start asking the hard questions, exploring things I never thought I would, and learning to express my feelings even if it led to rejection and turmoil.

Which song from Somewhere, Probably is your personal favourite and why?

“Someone Else.” It was the first song I wrote for the album and the first time I wrote something that said exactly what I was trying to say—no fancy metaphors or hidden meanings, just honesty. I listened to those demos probably 200 times, feeling that same sense of fulfilment each time. It felt like I finally figured out how to communicate. That song will forever hold a special place in my heart because it marked the start of something great.

Are there any songs or moments of songs you’re proudest of that you want to highlight?

The bridge sections in “Someone Else” and “Maybe Someday” are some of my favorites, and the arrangements in “Lonely” and “Love Will Find Me” still make me smile whenever I hear them. These moments represent times when I created something really special without knowing it at the time. While all the songs collectively tell the story, these specific portions capture something magical.

Describe how we can encourage your career growth.

What I want most isn’t fame or fortune, though having a large enough audience to make this my profession would be incredible. What would truly fulfill me is connection. Sharing this deeply personal project was terrifying, but if my work can inspire even one person going through a similar situation to learn to love who they are, it’s all worth it. There’s power in togetherness, and while the world can be cruel, I believe art is the most powerful way to move mountains and bring people together. Help me get my music in front of people who are seeking authentic living with love and kindness at their core—that’s how I want my career to flourish.

Anything else you want to share or add?

I learned something this year that I wish I’d known earlier: everyone always tells you to follow your heart when you’re a kid, but no one explains what that actually means. When I started this album, I felt lost and trapped. I’m not religious, but I believe in the power of intuition—whether that’s a higher power or your own instincts guiding you. The key is actually listening to what your body and mind are telling you. Use your heart as a compass. In my case, I was working a job I hated, sitting inside all day, not taking care of myself, all of which made it impossible to hear my heart. Sometimes all it takes is one small decision to change your trajectory. Go outside, take a walk without your phone, and let your senses connect you with reality. The hardest things in life are often the most important. Maybe it’s time to leave that soul-crushing job, stop accepting conditional relationships, and choose authenticity over perceived security. Remember—it’s your life. Life is fleeting, so do what feels right. The worst that could happen is you learn to fine-tune your compass. Follow your heart. If something feels right, pursue it.

Follow Matt Grandbois on Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads, YouTube, Spotify, and Website,  and take a listen to ‘Somewhere, Probably’ here.