Ask Mat!
April 2006

I read in the bio of the band, that you felt extremely isolated in college. Do you feel like that's a common experience for freshman and college students? Do you feel that the isolation you experienced helped you musically and personally to find your path?

every freshman feels a little maladjusted at first.. but my situation was a little unique. i felt isolated because i was surrounded by idoits and hicks... 24,000 of them, so i recoiled. i probably would have been more outgoing if i had been enrolled in an esteemed private school. in hindsight though maybe it did help my music.

I've noticed in watching live shows that there are two polar opposites that seem to exist. Some musicians find live performance to be a spiritual experience that is extremely independent from the audience. Other musicians use the energy of the audience to sort of guide them through the journey of the performance. Which do you find is true for you and for Kill Hannah?

both. we've had some rehearsals, with no one watching, that are extremely cool.. and over years of showcasing to labels, we've honed this ability to perform in an uninhibited way regardless of the size or mood of the crowd. but that said, nothing amps you up on stage more than seeing and hearing an out-of-control audience.

There are definite glam aspects to the band. Do you feel like being "pretty" affects your ability to be taken seriously as musicians and artists?

are the Cure and David Bowie taken seriously as artists? definitely. but there will always be haters when you're starting out. -never mind that all these 'respectable' punk and emo bands are wearing eyeliner now too.

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

michael stipe

What you are most looking forward to achieving in your career?

i want to afford a grand piano and a big room to put it in.




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