MATT
Occupation: Musician
My style: Urban preppy chic. I’m trying to give people the impression that I’m fashion forward, but that I’m also conservative enough to introduce to your parents.
Style influences: Classic rock and roll, punk, new pop stars and singer-songwriters. I also follow a lot of men’s fashion magazines.
Hairstyle: It’s kind of a preppy rock star look.
Jacket: I love this jacket. I bought it at DKNY at an outlet in Pennsylvania. It was a totally random sale rack, and this was ridiculously discounted. I’m just assuming nobody in Pennsylvania wears camouflaged blazers, so that’s probably why.
Shirt: This shirt’s by a company called Salvage. They’re a label out of L.A. I actually bought it here in Toronto, but the first time I bought Salvage was in L.A. I got it for a photo shoot I did last year for my first record. It’s different, and I know there are only a few people in Toronto who’ve purchased this t-shirt. Not a lot of stores carried it.
Pants: This is just a basic pair of dark jeans from RW&CO.
Shoes: I like them because I can wear them with a casual outfit – right now, they need to be polished – and I can also wear them with a suit.
I once bought a t-shirt in Tucson, Arizona – I was down there for business. It was a pink Buffalo t-shirt and it had some neat designs all over it. I was like, “Great, I bought this in Tucson, so there’s no way anybody in Toronto would have it.” I was at the Drake one night after the K-OS concert, and there was a dude standing at the other side of the bar, wearing that same pink t-shirt. I had to avoid him the whole night. It was brutal.
I almost got beat up in Port Credit, because I had flowers on my shirt. I was on my way into a bar, and a guy was walking out of the bar. The guy was like, “Nice shirt.” I was like, “Thanks.” He was like, “Actually, I mean it’s really ugly.” And I was like, “…Okay, see ya later!” I was worried this guy was going to jump me. I just thought it was so ridiculous that someone would get offended by the shirt I wore.
I first got involved in music as a child, singing in a church choir. It progressed into something I started doing all the time. Playing piano, violin, guitar, doing formal lessons, classical training, and it eventually transferred into me taking a degree in music at the University of Toronto, where I studied voice. I released my first solo record last year.
My interests include riding my motor scooter, drinking and socializing, going to theatre, watching live music.
I typically listen to alternative rock, adult contemporary rock, and I like to listen to singer-songwriters.
I read the newspaper sometimes, and the internet. I don’t read books.
I like to watch shows on DVD (Dexter, Californication), because then I don’t have to wait every week to see a new one.
I don’t really have a favourite food. It’s kind of hard to have a favourite food in Toronto, I find. I like every ethnic food there is. I do not like goat cheese, or lamb. It’s not like I’ll eat it and I’ll puke, or I’m allergic to it, I just (don’t like it).
I’m kind of obsessed with staying in shape. Being fit. I’m always looking for some new way to motivate myself to stay in shape. I just bought a Wii yesterday, because I heard about the Wii Fit. A buddy of mine lost 30 pounds (using it).
In the future I’m going to keep making music, keep producing records, and keep touring. I’m going to try to do something new and different and innovative, because the music industry is such a competitive place to be.
Find out more about Matt and his music at matthumphreys.ca
