The Simple Truths of Chase Matthew
Country's new star, and my first TikTok collaborator, is about to release the year's second longest country record. Let's talk about it.
The truth may not set you free, but it will sell concert tickets.
For the better half of a decade, Tennessee native Chase Matthew has been building a devoted, following through relentless touring in a steady stream of pop, infused country anthems. His performances combine heartfelt ballads, rock aesthetics, and just a dash of personal testimony, culminating in a unique and engaging experience that keeps fans returning show after show.
Last year, before major labels came calling, Chase, Matthew headlined the intersections downstairs room dubbed Elevation at the height of summer. It was my first time seeing him perform the songs I had seen rack up tens of millions of plays online, and I was curious whether or not his viral fame would translate to the real world. The answer I found was a resounding yes, with people lining up to get photos and autographs, and even outlines for tattoos at the end of the night.
Those people are still coming to the show in 2023, and many more have discovered Matthew since he signed with Warner Nashville at the end of 2022. His 25-song labeled debut, Come Get Your Memory, is slated for release this June. The lead-up has included multiple singles in music videos and months of touring, which recently brought the "County Line" hitmaker back to the Intersection for a performance in the iconic main room.
Delivering a bevy of fan favorites, country covers, and new originals, Chase Matthew stormed the intersection stage on Thursday, May 18. The energy of the cloud matched that of those on stage, creating a communal space where everyone felt connected to the music and one another. Such things are the goals of any live event, but this night made the work required to accomplish them seem effortless. Matthew didn't need to wow the crowd to have them in his hand because most came ready to have a good time. His only task was to live up to the hype the internet has helped create around him, which (again) the Tennessee native makes look easy.
Chatting with Chase before the show, I asked him how one manages to stay engaged with longtime fans as his following grows in leaps and bounds. His answer was annoyingly simple but undeniably true.
"I always put them first," he told me. "I stay after every show to meet anyone who wants to see me. I take every picture and sign every autograph. You can never take that kind of thing for granted."
Those efforts will keep people coming back, but that will get them in the door. When pushed further, Chase offered another succinct response.
"People connect with what's real; I am who I am in everything I create. You may not like it, and some people definitely don't, but it's honest."
Who Chase Matthew is can be learned from his setlist. For as complicated as people are, Chase is easy to understand. He's a 20-something Tennessee native and high school dropout who took business into his own hands after being turned away by schools and Nashville kingmakers. Call it cockiness or confidence—he'll admit it's both—Chase set to work writing songs about where he was in his life on the relationships that defined his existence. The pain and heartache were relatable, as all sad songs tend to be. Still, his understanding of his ability to forge the future hooks people to his music.
Is work getting you down? Plan a night out with the boys or a bonfire on the weekend.
Did someone break your heart? Move on. You control who lives rent-free in your head.
Missing someone? Have regrets? Say something, but be honest with yourself. Own your mistakes and consider the motivations behind them. Think about the difference between how things were overall and how they were at the best of times.
Have a dream? Chase it. Pun intended.
The truths found in Chase Matthew's music are simple but enduring. That's most of country music, to be honest, but doing it well takes something special. You have to be willing to be wrong, and you have to be willing to take the barbs people will throw once your story is known. Countless artists can write songs about dirt roads and late nights with someone who now curses their name, but few can make those moments feel lived in by all.
When Chase sings, the listener is transported to a precise moment in time, and when the song stops—people cheer.
The TikTok Collaboration
In addition to signing a management deal this week, I posted my first collaborative TikTok with Chase Matthew. I don't remember when Chase first followed my account. It was months ago, and I did not even think to message him until his recent show at the Intersection was announced. I tried to connect with him during his 2022 performance in Grand Rapids, but I didn't know him or his team. These days, however, it's a different story altogether.
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The Country Minute Summer Essential Playlist
I thought long and hard about how to approach a summer playlist. I decided to feature my favorite new artists and songs, many of which fall under the category of “things Hank Williams would roll over in his grave if he heard.” Anyways, here it is.