Bio
Los Angeles based singer/songwriter Matt Westerman writes upbeat acoustic pop songs with a positive, compassionate message meant to uplift and inspire listeners everywhere. His debut record, Life Out Loud, is a musical manifestation of the phrase “carpe diem,” that shines with all the inherent bravery needed to live life to the fullest. The EP showcases Matt’s ability to write powerful melodies, catchy hooks, and thoughtful lyrics. This, combined with his distinctively smooth vocal delivery and stand out rhythm guitar playing, makes Life Out Loud the perfect introduction to the world of Matt Westerman.
The EP is inspired by Matt’s unique background in music, education, and psychology. He’s spent the last few years working as a self-employed tutor which informed and impacted his songwriting. For example, EP highlight “Don’t Give up On You” is a song about believing in yourself and being proud of who you are. This directly aligns with his favorite part of teaching which is seeing his students believe in themselves and realize their true capability. In addition, Matt’s degree in psychology has informed his songwriting and lyrical subject matter with a focus on encouraging a clear and positive state of mind. Matt also applies this courageous message to himself, which has given him the strength to overcome his own challenges and set his sights on a career in music. In the last few years Westerman has been carving out his dreams on stage, with gigs all over the Southern California area – from clubs, to bars, to busking on the Santa Monica pier.
Matt’s true talents reside in his uncanny ability to write an empowering lyric and combine it with a confident, infectious melody. Featuring bright stand-out tracks like “One Fine Day,” “She’s More,” and “Don’t Give Up On You” the EP is sure to win over admirers of the singer/songwriter genre and fans of modern contemporaries like Passenger, Tom Odell, and James Bay. By fusing his main influences that range from Neil Young to Dave Matthews to Coldplay, Westerman has crafted an original collection of songs that expertly fuse the pop sounds of the past and present.
Joining Westerman on the record is a veritable “who’s who” of notable session players. Pedal steel player Marty Rifkin – long time Bruce Springsteen collaborator – showcases his talents on the record. Westerman is also joined by session journeyman Sean Hurley on bass who has performed on John Mayer’s records and is currently on tour with Idina Menzel. The finely nuanced production on Life Out Loud is credited to Brad Swanson, whose tracks can be heard in popular shows like Smallville, CSI, Ghost Whisperer, and more.
With Life Out Loud, Matt Westerman is taking the chance of a lifetime, a chance that he hopes will inspire others to take a leap, reach for a dream, and actualize their own potential.
(2018)