Singer/songwriter Matt Aquiline repatriated to his home town of Pittsburgh after two decades living and performing in Washington, DC. To help bring his sound home (and some “home” to his sound), Aquiline enlisted a group of musicians with long and distinguished histories on the Pittsburgh music scene, which now includes Tom Hohn (The Cynics, The Frampton Brothers) on drums, Ray Vasko (The Frampton Brothers, Fungus) on bass, Bill Maruca (Sandoz, The Pawnbrokers, Billy Price) on keys and accordion, Alex Hershey (Bluebird and The Message) on lead guitar and the outstanding vocalist, Heather Catley. The band released its first EP “Coming Home” in December 2017.
Stellar songwriting and exceptional musicianship lead to a sound that marries folk, rock, blues, country and a little blue-eyed soul into Roots Rock that is pure Pittsburgh, with skill, authenticity and the kind of depth you develop surviving a few cold Winters. Aquiline told us about the process that went into their gritty, triumphant new song, “Seems I Survived.”
Who are some of your musical influences?
Springsteen, Neil Young, John Hiatt, Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Steve Earle, Drive By Truckers
Who would you love to collaborate with? why?
Springsteen for sure. He not only just plain knows how to do it, he seems incredibly supportive and welcoming. Jeff Tweedy for the creativity and bravery he brings to the process. Jason Isbell because for my money he’s just about the best songwriter in the world right now.
How are you using your platform to support marginalized people?
We released a single last year called “The Time Has Come” that directly addresses some issues marginalized folks face. The song is an anthem for social change that focuses on racism, religious persecution, immigration policy and sexual assault, and speaks to the greater climate of hate and division and the need to make a change.
Do you have any songwriting tips you can share?
I’d say lean into authenticity. Write from where you stand. You can go too far, for sure. I’m not saying name names (although that has worked a time or two as well) or even write autobiographically, but there is nothing more believable than honesty, and even when you are writing fiction you can write from a place where you know where your character is coming from.
Do you start off with the music or lyrics first? Why?
It is usually lyrics, mostly because they just popped into my head, but a lot of times a melody shows up with them.