Categories
Arts & Music

Gimme Five! Matt Damron of Bright Young Things

They may sing of “Truth in Short Doses,” but when it comes to the music they rattle out on stage, The Bright Young Things throw in a few shots of fun too. With guitars, drums, bass and keys, this five-piece based out of Raleigh shake out their own spin on rootsy indie rock.

They may sing of “Truth in Short Doses,” but when it comes to the music they rattle out on stage, The Bright Young Things throw in a few shots of fun too.  With guitars, drums, bass and keys, this five-piece based out of Raleigh shake out their own spin on rootsy indie rock.

Featuring the talents of Matt Damron, Scott Andrews, Mark Connor, Will Goodyear, and Cameron Lee, Bright Young Things is a band stacked with veterans of other worthy local acts (notably The Tomahawks and Brett Harris) that skirts any worrisome notion of sound-alike redundancy.  Where the other projects surge with vintage personality, Bright Young Things bewitch with a certain pop/country rambunctiousness.  The band will channel that charm into gigs at both the Hopscotch and sparkCon festivals this fall and into new material for a full length (due in the near future).  In the meantime, skip on over to their bandcamp profile to download a free EP and get in the know on the Bright Young Things while it’s still early.

Now just the five fiercest questions in faux-business:

1. If your band were a book, what would it be?

I think I’ve yet to read a book that really describes this band. Maybe a mix that’s like two thirds Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor and one third Cat in the Hat.

2. When did you start to think music was something you might like to try?

My best friend in middle school informed me one day that we were starting a punk band. I was to be the guitarist, and since I could (barely) hold a tune, I’d be the singer too. I dutifully learned my instrument and found that I had a knack for arranging ideas in to songs. At that point, I knew I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else.

3. Describe your typical band practice.

Typically our practices start an hour later than they were supposed to… Cameron, our lead guitarist, evangelizes his newest favorite band (currently Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show) and we run through a few songs to get everyone in the right mindset.  If there’s a new idea, I’ll play through it and ask for some insight, then we’ll run with it, hoping for some lucky spark. Once we’re satisfied with what we’ve covered (or the beer fridge is emptied out), we move on… usually to a bar.

4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that might really surprise people?

Some of my personal inspirations that are a little less expected might be Beck, John Vanderslice, Francois Truffaut and Richard Dean Anderson

5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (how ’d that turn out?)

As a little one, my dream was probably to become a singing preacher with military training that gets sent around the world fulfilling important missions for the United States, or something like that. It seems like I’ve pretty much failed at all of the above, and though I do sing, I can’t say that I’m in the service of God or country. I think I’m okay with that.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Gather up your incandescent, juvenile chums and head out to see the Bright Young Things soon (tour dates updated here and here). And by all means, give Matt a high five when you see him!