Update 11/14/13: Kearney’s Union Theater show scheduled for Nov. 15 has been postponed to a later date. The Daily Reveille will update on the new show once details are announced.
As a songwriter, Mat Kearney is relatively complacent and calm, penning ballads about love and heartache. But as an individual, he could only be described as adventurous.
The man has stories — everything from moving cross-country in the back of a pickup truck on a whim to having his record handled by “The Boss,” Bruce Springsteen. Kearney has certainly been around the block.
During a fairly commonplace visit to his publisher, Kearney discovered The Gaslight Anthem had recently visited the publisher’s office, pointed to Kearney’s poster on the wall, and exclaimed, “We know that guy! Bruce Springsteen gave us his record and told us to check it out!”
“Bruce Springsteen is my biggest hero. … My jaw dropped, and I still don’t believe if it’s true or not, but the guy was a pretty reputable source, so I say it’s true,” Kearney gushed.
As far as musical range, Kearney has dabbled in nearly every genre. He started out in the underground hip-hop scene, penning songs to instrumentals of groups like Outkast, a far cry from the charming singer-songwriter he’s known as being. According to Kearney, picking up an acoustic guitar mixed the two sides of his musical styling.
Kearney has also blended his music with on-screen depictions on television shows like hospital love drama “Grey’s Anatomy.”
“It’s always a funny process when you pour your heart out to that emotional moment in your life and then you get the phone call one day and someone’s like, ‘This would be an amazing song for doctors to make out to,’” Kearney said. “But I don’t mind. It was really helpful and TV’s been a huge part of how my music’s gotten out there. I enjoy when I watch a TV show and a scene brings a song to life.”
Through minor country music influence, Kearney has shown that his heart rests in the South. While the musician is not a Nashville native, he calls Tennessee (and the South in general) home. He also credits the region with his songwriting ability.
“Nashville’s an amazing town and I grew up on the West Coast, so the South in general has really influenced me, and the history of great songwriters like Johnny Cash, and some of the Americana/country-influenced stuff challenged me to become a better songwriter,” Kearney said. “This part of the country has such amazing songwriters. I think it’s really important for my songwriting, but not necessarily my style, my desire to be good at crafting a song.”
The story behind Kearney’s song “Ships In The Night,” one of his most popular, best showcases his songwriting ability.
“It’s about two people trying to connect and overcome the circumstances or maybe their own experience with love and try to really find something that’s pure that can last,” Kearney said. “I’m painting the problem, but also the desire to connect and people wanting to meet each other.”
Kearney has said he’s been hard at work on a new record due out in the next year or so, but until then, what does the singer-songwriter have up his sleeve? Maybe a collaboration?
“If I could collaborate with anybody ever, it would probably be Johnny Cash … or maybe Rihanna,” Kearney said.
After a lengthy college and university tour, Kearney will be making a stop at LSU, specifically because of his interest in the state.
“I love Louisiana, and I think it’s one of the coolest states — it’s like its own country,” Kearney said. “It’s full of very unique, special people. I spent a lot of time in New Orleans and shot my video [for the song ‘Hey Mama’] down in Louisiana, so I have a love for the strange people down there.”
You can catch Mat Kearney at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Union Theater.
