Q&A: Matt White

It seems that TV shows are being used as a starting point for many new artists lately. The Fray and Snow Patrols' successes have a direct link to the Grey's Anatomy's soundtrack. Many new bands and singers are using this to their advantage. Matt White, a New Jersey native, has been heard on One Tree Hill, What About Brian and the new movie, Because I Said So. He will be playing at the North Star Bar tonight at 9pm. Not only does this singer/songwriter have several hit songs on TV shows and movies, but his new album will be released this upcoming May.

We recently had the opportunity to ask Matt a few questions via telephone about his upcoming album, success in the music business and his favorite thing about performing in Philadelphia.

First to start, what age did you start playing an instrument?
I first started playing the piano at age three.

Do you use the piano in your upcoming album, Do You Believe?
Definitely. I find the piano a very melodic instrument and since it was the first instrument I learned I definitely use it throughout the album. Of course, later in college I started on the guitar and use that frequently on the album as well. It's a definite mix.

We read in Rolling Stone that you had written an opera at age eleven. How did you become interested in that and what prompted you to write an opera?
I got involved in this music program that let kids produce and compose the music. This was a national event in Florida that focused on developing young musicians' talent. It was such an awesome event.

In college, did you study music?
No, not music. My undergraduate degree was in Political Science. I auditioned for the music program in college but they didn't want me because I couldn't read music. I could play everything they wanted to hear exactly right because I have trained my ear so well. I can play a piece faster when playing by ear than if I tried to read the music. In college I would go to as many open jam sessions as I could. When I was first starting to play guitar, I would bring the guitar out and jam a little, then go home and practice and then go back and jam. I practiced, practiced, practiced. I couldn't fit a piano in my dorm room so I just practiced my guitar all day. I completely surrounded myself in music.

The rest of the interview after the jump...