After a decade-long hiatus, Matt Steven, known as The Easter Parade, returns with the heartfelt and cinematic debut single, "Sing Our Kids to Sleep," marking a poignant new chapter for the project -- and here's Matt in interview!
1. What is the origin behind the moniker “The Easter Parade”?
Hi, thank you! It’s great to talk to you. The project was inspired by and composed from fragments of old films. The Easter Parade is, of course, a very famous film from 1948 starring Fred Astaire and Ann Miller. The name also features in a song by the wonderful band The Blue Nile - and it’s really a nod to both. It just felt perfect for the project.
2. Who would you cite as influences and inspirations in your musical journey?
There have been so many influences on this project, but the main one has been Ennio Morricone, specifically his soundtrack for Once Upon a Time in America, which is a masterpiece. I wanted to capture the essence of that emotion in a different song form. Other influences include Ron Sexsmith, Salvador Sobral, Paul Buchanan, Tom Waits, and Ed Harcourt.
3. What’s the story behind the song “Sing Our Kids To Sleep”?
It’s an interesting one, because I honestly don’t know where it came from. I think it ended up being a reflection of the challenges and difficult conversations that often happen in relationships. In many ways, it expresses a longing for connection and the comfort of simple but significant moments.
4. What are your thoughts about the increasing use of AI in the songwriting process?
Haha, interesting question! It really looks like it’s here to stay, doesn’t it!? An important part of art is pushing boundaries, and I’m sure there will be some exceptional art that adopts AI. But personally, it’s not for me - I’m kind of old-fashioned, still preferring my trusty old paper and pen. But to each their own, I guess.
5. What’s next for The Easter Parade in terms of genres, collaborations, and musical styles? Where would you want to explore musically next?
I’m currently finishing off my first EP, which has a similar sound to Sing Our Kids to Sleep. This will be out around January/February. The sound is piano-based with string orchestration and a couple of darker tracks with a more Tom Waits atmosphere.
Lately, I’ve been listening to War on Drugs a lot, and it would be amazing to experiment with something a little more up-tempo. But honestly, I’m not sure where I’ll go next after the EP. I’d really love to explore the idea of composing for a short film or something similar.
6. Whenever you’re not out making music, what are some things you enjoy doing to keep the mind sharp and creative?
For me, it’s just the simple things - spending time with friends and family, reading as much as I can, and watching old classic films. I just went to see the original Ghostbusters at the cinema, actually, which was amazing.
Check out the track here~