Interviews

Not able to write music or play an instrument 18-year-old Matt decided a year ago that he would write his own poems, a style which some people call performance poetry.

Before long he was performing these to friends at parties, then at pubs and indie venues before the bands came on, then he was spotted:

"That's pretty much all I did at the time, then David Gledhill [Mini Dog] spotted me on My Space, 'cause I used to record the poems on my phone and put them on My Space, and he just said to me 'look, do you want to do some music?'.

"He did a few electro songs, put my lyrics over the top and it kinda just went from there really."

Inspiration

"It's strange really, I've always loved lyrics... I don't play an instrument so I couldn't write music so I just liked the idea of performing lyrics.

"Then I heard John Cooper Clarke, he's quite a big inspiration of mine and Jon McClure of Reverend & The Makers, and it just seemed like something I was quite comfortable with, that I could dive straight into.

"I always wanted to have a band but as I said I didn't really know anyone so I thought it would be a suitable platform to get myself involved in the music world."

Airplay

Matt's producer David Gledhill got in touch with BBC Radio Sheffield's new music show Raw Talent and presenter Shamir was instantly impressed with the tracks and Matt aka Skint & Demoralised began to receive regular airplay on the show. This was to be just the start... he was then played on US radio:

Matt: Skint & Demoralised

"That was another My Space discovery, she [presenter] sent me a message saying 'I like your stuff', then I sent a demo to Steve Lamacq and he played it.

"Then a fan of mine in Birmingham, who I didn't actually know about sent one to Colin Murray and he played it. In the space of about two weeks it went a bit crazy really, but it started on Radio Sheffield.

"I genuinely didn't expect it, I'm not experienced in music at all but just want as many people as possible to hear my music, and from having my free downloads and radio plays I just want to take it one step at a time really.

"I'm not a natural singer but no matter how many limitations you have there's always something you can do. I just stood on stage, did these quick fire performance poems.

"As long as you've got the passion for it and as long as you've got ideas just work at it."

Stiff deal & Red Lipstick

"We're doing a single with Stiff Records, it's gonna be a limited release on 7", vinyl possibly iTunes as well.

"Stiff did the same with The Enemy a few years ago and Arctic Monkeys did the Fake Tales EP, so it's the next step.

The single to be released will be his track Red Lipstick, we asked him what it was about:

"People ask you what you like in a girl and a lot of girls say material things and it almost puts you off. I wish they'd be a little bit more honest and say something quirky.

"Well Red lipstick, fish and chips, orange juice and trips to the seaside, she's not lying is she. So she says what she means without trying to impress people and it impresses me."

Reverend & The Makers support

Matt only formed his live band in September 2007, and within three months had been asked by Jon McClure to support his band for their Christmas gig at the Leadmill on Thursday, 20 December.

Jon McClure aka Reverend

"September was us first gig... It's just a nice step up to get in at the Leadmill, get a big audience and get experience of a nice big venue.

"I've been a fan of his music since day one really, just from going to the gigs I've got to know Reverend and I've got to know the band, they're an absolutely amazing set of people.

"He's always supported me, he let me do my stand up with him in May and he's given me a chance and fair play to him.

"We've had over 3000 free downloads, and about 15,000 plays on MySpace and this has all shot up in the last few weeks really, but we'll be on tour February, March time to promote the single.

"We're looking at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire hopefully about April, May time and record the album in a couple of weeks there and hopefully by the end of 2008 we'll be hitting the shelves for Christmas."

• Follow the links on the right of the page for Matt's websites. Plus don't forget to tune in to listen to the best new music from the region on Raw Talent with Shamir Masri, every Thursday from 7pm, you can listen anytime via iPlayer too. Click on the 'listen again' button on the right of this page.