Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Broyles.
Hi Matthew, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started writing songs in 1991, and formed a couple of bands to get them out into the world. In 2000, I embarked on the matthew show, a more personalized vehicle for my songwriting and performing. My first album, ‘texas,’ came out in 2003, followed by ‘february’ in 2008, ‘Memphis’ in 2012, and ‘texas ii’ in 2025, among a large number of singles and EPs along the way. I’m also part of Ah Pook the Destroyer, a literary progressive rock outfit with Paul Shapera, that’s released two albums, ‘The Silver Key’ in 2011 and ‘The King in Yellow’ in 2021. I have released three novels, ‘Rewired’ in 2016, ‘Threnody’ in 2017, and ‘Shrael’ in 2025. I created a radio play version of ‘Rewired’ that came out over several months in 2023 and 2024, featuring a cast made up of local talent. I spent many years playing with acts like Fish Fry Bingo and its spinoff, Shotgun Friday, and backing up other great DFW performers. I’ve hosted podcasts and radio shows about local music and social issues, as well as the Fort Songwriters Showcase, providing a spotlight on creators that I felt needed more attention. A throughline in my work is a focus on community and voices that aren’t getting heard.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Anything but smooth, the industry being what it is. But my path has been easier than some, due to lucky happenstance. When I got started, I knew almost nobody who was trying to do what I was, so it took many years to build up a network of allies, both locally and globally. I lived in NYC for a few years, and made some connections that have definitely helped. One of my new songs, ‘Not the Guy Himself’ illustrates my pattern of knowing the guy who knows the guy, but not the guy himself. I’ve been a few degrees away from influential people for most of my career, and have had difficulty parlaying that into actual influence. That said, I’ve had Grammy winning producers work on my records, and have gotten some of my favorite artists to play on my tunes, so it’s far from an empty basket. The thing to keep in mind is that it’s not a straight road. Sometimes you climb, and it seems like you’re getting up a ways, and then it dips again, and you have to start another climb. The journey can feel Sisyphean, but if you’re looking, it can contain lessons and friendships that help you through the next rough patch.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As I mentioned, I’ve never been interested in telling stories that are commonly told. I don’t do love songs, I don’t write on topics that are well trodden. What you’ll hear out of me is always off the main path. This frustrates some, but has gained me a lot of respect from others. I can always tell that look in someone’s eyes when they see that someone else is broadcasting on their frequency. It’s more rare than I’d like, but extremely gratifying when it happens. I’m also something of a songwriters’ songwriter. A lot of my fans are people who ply the same trade, and they recognize the craftsmanship that may not always be evident to the layman. It’s an odd quality, and interesting to me.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I grew up in a rural area, and I used to just wander around in people’s back fields daydreaming. There are times when I miss that aimless ambling, cram-packed as my life is now. But the things I was dreaming about doing then are the reason my schedule is so packed now, so I wouldn’t trade it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thematthewshow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrthematthewshow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrthematthewshow
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MrThematthewshow
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thematthewshow
- Other: https://thematthewshow.bandcamp.com/
Image Credits
Photos by Rene Gomez, Trista Morris, and Scott Carson Ausburn
