Meet Matthew Smolsky: a Californian singer-songwriter who 🍴eats🍴, 💤sleeps💤, and breathes 🎶music🎶. We know he would like us to compare him to the likes of Ed Sheeran, but the truth is, he's his own incredible musician. For many people, 🎵music🎵 is their place to escape, their time to dive into a song and let go of the outside 🌎world🌎, but Smolsky's interpretation of music is different. His music enlightens the world on issues going on right now: "every single day it feels like another's gone away by the hands of a knife or a bomb or a gun, whatever makes us run" as well as showing how he's a total romantic in his beautiful lyrics:"we'll face love and lust but darlin' we'll make it work for us".Smolsky and Tehya write music together all the time, and they always have the best time together with his contagious spirit, energy, and determination to succeed. Smolsky is currently studying at 🏫university🏫, where he continues to learn more about everything he does and grow as an artist including 🎤music🎤, 🎭acting🎭, and ✏️writing✏️! Be sure to follow him on 📱social media📱 @smolskymusic to see when he's playing near you, trust us, we will be there!!How do you know the Ya Sisters? I first met these lovely ladies in February 2016 when I performed in a benefit concert for 13 Wishes. After that, I continued to work and write with the girls. Tehya and I even cowrote a song entitled “Blame The Silence” on my debut record.
Dream Job:Writing music and traveling the world playing that music. If not that, being Batman.
What do YA do? I am singer, songwriter, actor, musician, disney expert, many more. I have never been that kid to focus on one thing. I’ve always had a multitrack mind.
Favorite Song on Repeat? You can never go wrong with "Heroes” by David Bowie.
Piece of Advice: Don’t try to please everyone. People are gonna try to push you down and knock you over but just move past them because they're not worth it.
What young adult would you vote for to be president right now? Haliee Steinfeld. She gives a real positive message in her music and career.
Favorite News Outlet:I really love music sites such as Sofar, Balcony TV, and Mahogany in order to find hidden gems in the music industry. For everything else, Good Morning America is my go to!
How do you get motivated to exercise? My dogs needing to go for a walk.
What inspires you? The idea of failing at something. As much as it is important to learn from your failures, I really hate it. When I played to venues of six people, it's a bit disappointing, however, I know that those six people could each tell six people and sooner or later, I can have a large show. You have to start from somewhere.
Who inspires you? Professionally, Ed Sheeran. I first saw him play The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA in October 2012 with just his pedal and guitar. I was fourteen at the time was enthralled by his stage presence and thought I could do it.Personally, my father. He always taught me not to let anyone walk over you. He gave me my first guitar and threw me into this world. We have the same sense of humor and comedic timing so we’re always on the same page. I couldn’t have asked for a better father.
What would you tell yourself one year ago? Don’t dictate decisions based off of other people. Your life is just that: Yours. Make decisions that make you happy.
How did you get where you are? Never stopping. I am always writing a song or playing a gig. How can you get tired at something you love to do?
What is the one thing you wish there was a cure to? Ignorance. It’s 2017 people.
How would your BFF describe you? Give us three adjectives! Go!!!
1. Dedicated
2. Loyal
3. Insane
What are you binge watching? I just finished New Girl and I'm starting to hop back into Criminal Minds.
BEST part of life:Knowing that any day can be a brand new adventure to be had.
Favorite activity/thing to do:Besides music, I really love making itineraries. I have no idea why, but it’s so much fun.
Favorite place to be:Either the Belvedere Castle in Central Park NYC or The Southbank of The River Thames in London.
What do you wish people knew more about? How important the arts are to education.
Role Models:Ed Sheeran, James Bay, Passenger, James Corden, Neil Patrick Harris, and many many more.
Favorite Snapchat filter:Definitely those Dog Ears. Haha.Words of wisdom:Don’t be a d*ck because Karma is a real thing.
How do you give back? I play a lot of benefit concerts in order to raise awareness for multiple causes. I also have a very strong partnership with 13 Wishes. I feel close to their cause because most of what I put into my stage act all comes from my high school show choir and performing arts career.
What do you think is necessary to improve in our education system? BRING IN MORE ARTS!!!!!
...what about our world? Taking John Lennon’s “Imagine” to heart and then actually making it happen.
Five things you’d bring from your medicine cabinet if you knew you were going to be stranded on a desert island:1. My copy of The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger2. My Martin LX1 Guitar! 3. My David Bowie Graphic Tee from Amoeba Records4. My Rosin Headwear Black Felt Porkpie Hat 5. My Ray Ban Prescription Glasses so i can actually see!*Click on each image to be directed to shop the product*It's a classic, everyone must read this once in their life, especially if you want to be a writer. But, just in general anyway. Enough said.Wanna start out with a guitar and some lyrics? Here's the perfect start.He's an icon, you're iconic, you need a tee shirt to wear with the jeans you're wearing right now.This is Smolsky's signature look and one you can wear right alongside him. Tehya steals it enough she would know, it makes you feel pretty, awesomely cool.Smolsky's next single, "You F*cked Up" is being released on Monday, August 28th and his full studio record is due early in 2018. Check out more on Smolsky at his website www.smolskymusic.com Smolsky inspires us to stay driven and stay creative. What do you do with your creativity? Who do you want us to talk to next?*Cover Photo by Tara Rochelle*