SCHMOON – “MADE IT UP”
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE MUSIC PREMIERE
Singer-songwriter and filmmaker Matt Cascella is releasing his new album Pretty Darn Pretty (out Dec. 13) under the moniker Schmoon, his childhood nickname. Appropriately, the new LP taps into innocently playful vibes while capturing the fuzzy nostalgia of growing up. This is an album of characters, some are bad and some slightly better, but pieces of Cascella shine through with each song. He delves into the celebratory joy that comes with time-worn memories, our present anxieties and the legacy of our unknown futures.
Cascella cut his teeth in the New York City indie scene with his band Brooms, while also recording solo under the name Owlbiter before moving to Portland, Maine during the pandemic. Outside of music, his debut feature film Hangdog (which became available at streaming on Oct. 25) was soundtracked by Walter Martin of The Walkmen and stars Desmin Borges (You’re the Worst, Utopia, Only Murders in the Building). Cascella has previously worked as editor & director for the likes of HBO, National Geographic, Buzzfeed, Vice, CNN, The Huffington Post, and Maysles Films.
ARTIST QUOTE
I wanted to chase this idea of a recluse who’s finally coming out of his house. It was written during the early days of the pandemic, so there’s definitely an influence there. Though it doesn’t pertain to a pandemic.
I like this section in the last verse where I sing, “I’m going down to kill the mailbox / First time in a life / Genevieve I never meant a thing / You know I hate / Myself.” It’s a bit nonsensical lyrically. It maybe also shows that our protagonist does not in-fact want to make an effort and come out of his hole. He’s a bit misleading, hypocritical with his intentions. And finally we see his weakness and vulnerability.
I definitely connect to the character’s conflicted feelings of wanting to interact with the world while simultaneously needing to retreat. That struggle is interesting to me. On rare occasions I’ll go to a party and instantly regret it. I just don’t have that party stamina. But a part of me knows it’s good to force myself into those scenarios. Shake up the scenery a bit.
We definitely live in our siloed corners nowadays and we know (hopefully) how dangerous that can be. I love conversation with strangers. I love being surprised by an engaging or fun interaction. That can restore my faith in people. Just for a brief moment!
Brendon [Thomas] and James [Downes] are very good chums of mine. The two play in a band together, The End of America, and are incredible musicians. Collaborative. Generous. I’ve made music with James off and on for almost fifteen years, either playing drums in his projects or James engineering/recording my songs. With this album, it was my first stint making music with Brendon. So it was a no-brainer getting James involved in some way. Both of these individuals make me very comfortable, a key to making music. Brendon is playing the heavier guitar and bass on this number. James is doing the tasteful acoustic work.
I love big dumb drums! Performances that are not meant to impress but aid. I definitely tapped into my 14 year old self on this number. Typically I want listeners to hook into the words with my songs. If there’s a good groove behind it, great. But the words are very important to my projects. If they’re getting lost in fanciful musicianship (which I definitely can’t do), then I lose interest.
I love the big drums on Tom Petty’s Wildflowers record. It doesn’t get more tasteful than that. Also, a tune I love by Alex Chilton called “Hey! Little Girl” has some big dumb drums (and a big dumb groove). Don’t be afraid to take it there!
Schmoon
Pretty Darn Pretty
(Independent)
Release Date: December 13, 2024
Artist Links
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: THIRSTY CURSES – “FOOT IN THE DOOR”
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: DAVID STEINHART – “DID YOU SAY THE WORDS”
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: AIDAN LECLAIRE BAND – “FIND ME”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: BLUSHES UNLEASH BRAND NEW SINGLE “CELEBRITY SEX CULT PARTY”
