25. How Hearing Loss Made Matt Fell a Better Musician

Ep.025: Some artists build their sound around what’s trendy. Others build it around what’s true. Matt Fell falls into the latter. A Philly-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Matt blends raw vulnerability with polished production, pulling from classic rock, indie pop, R&B, and everything in between. In this episode, we unpack the emotional weight behind his debut solo album Flashbulb Memories, how his degenerative hearing loss has become an unexpected creative advantage, and why he initially struggled to share his work with the world. It’s a conversation about perfectionism, ego, identity, and the kind of growth that only happens when you stop hiding and start telling the truth.We Chat About:Why he didn’t promote Flashbulb Memories after release—and what changedDegenerative hearing loss and how it shaped his attention to productionThe inspiration behind songs like “Living a Lie,” “Coffee,” and “Breakfast”Rewriting identity without substances, and how coffee became a metaphorThe moment music went from chore to calling (shoutout to Mr. Gonsi)Making music that’s both deeply personal and weirdly universalRejecting genre rules and still writing bangersNavigating vulnerability, rejection, and being “enough” without performingHow songwriting often starts with… ice cream cake debatesThe myth of the starving artist vs. creating from a place of wellnessWhy the next wave of pop might sound like it was made in a bedroomAbout Matt Fell:Born outside Philadelphia in 1993, Matt has been involved with music since he was young. Through grade school he picked up piano, trumpet, drums, guitar and bass. In high school, Matt discovered his love for recorded music and has been writing and producing since and has appeared in various bands and acts through the years. In 2022, Matt released his debut solo album Flashbulb Memories, which he co-produced with close friend Matt Weber. In 2023 Matt released a song called Keep Going alongside Luke O’Brien that has been featured on WHYY. Also in 2023 Matt composed the film score for the movie I Think I’m Sick with co-writer John Wiater, which has gone on to win many awards at The Rhode Island Film Festival, New York Film Festival, and Philadelphia Film Festival to name a few. In 2024 Matt released a new single called Living A Lie and opened for singer/songwriter Marielle Kraft on tour. Matt Fell is currently busy working on album two, and multiple other collaborations to come!Connect with Matt:Instagram: @mattfellandcantgetupSpotify: Matt FellApple Music: Matt FellTikTok: @mattfellandcantgetupOther Resources:Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX“loves music” playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBgCheck out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/Julian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.jones.9484Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417Check out Julian’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6QYX6RLMusic Mentioned in this Episode:Songs:“Living a Lie” – Matt Fell“Keep Going” – Matt Fell & Luke O’Brien“Holding On” – Matt Fell“Wild Soul” – Matt Fell“Coffee” – Matt Fell“Breakfast” – Matt Fell“Emergence” – Sleep Token“Miracle” – Michigander (mentioned)“Corner Piece of Mind” (unreleased lyric idea)Albums & Projects:Flashbulb Memories – Matt FellI Think I’m Sick (film score) – Matt Fell & John WiaterUpcoming Album Two – Matt FellLatest Michigander album (mentioned)Artists & Bands:Matt Weber (collaborator)Luke O’BrienMarielle KraftMichiganderSweet PillJohn BellionRex Orange CountyRole ModelDijonMk.geeJustin BieberYoung the GiantBruce SpringsteenThe LumineersTaylor SwiftPost MaloneDrakeSleep TokenThe 1975Alex GMcClure