Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Brooks.
Hi Matt, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Matt, better known as Matt Brooks around the DFW music scene. I was born in Dallas, TX and grew up in The Colony, TX. I’ve been playing music for over 20 years and have played music professionally for the last 5 years here in DFW. My dad taught me how to play guitar at 9 years old and I taught myself how to play drums at 11 years old, so music has always been a big influence in my life and always been something I’ve enjoyed growing up. After graduating college in 2015 with two degrees, one in Electromechanical Engineering and the other in Precision Machining and Automation, I moved back home to Texas to start my career as a CNC machine repair technician. In the first six months after moving, I ran into some old friends from high school who I use to play music with growing up. It was soon after this reunion that I joined their original alternative rock band they had already started and began playing shows around Denton, TX. This was the first time I had actually been booked and paid to play at bars and venues so it was a very exciting time in my life. I knew from that moment this is what I wanted to do full time. After cutting my teeth in college dive bars with my friend’s band, I started playing at open mic nights and meeting other musicians from around the DFW area. I was eager to have my own band eventually so I knew it was important to start networking and meeting other musicians like myself. It was at this time that I met my dear friend Droo D’Anna, of the locally famous Droo’s Peace Crush, and really started to learn more about everything that goes into being a full-time musician. Droo was a seasoned local musician, a great friend, and always encouraged up-and-coming artists to chase their dreams and he showed me a lot about how to be successful. This included learning how to book shows, negotiating pay for gigs, what sound equipment to buy, how to talk to clients about private events, how much to charge, how to find new venues, etc. Anything involved with being a full-time musician I was eager to learn and I learned almost all of it from Droo. He was such a huge influence on me as a new artist and was always supportive and willing to give me advice and I’m extremely grateful for that. I learned so much in those first two years and worked tirelessly to play anywhere and book as many shows as I could to get my name out and really grow as an artist. Of course, that came with its own struggles and setbacks but I used the obstacles as an opportunity to learn and to try not to make the same mistake again. I met a lot of great musicians and made a lot of new friends as well; it was one of the greatest chapters in my life. After the first year and a half of playing music full-time and saving up some money, I finally moved out and got my own place. There was a lot of pressure to succeed at this point since I hadn’t fully convinced my parents that I could really make a living doing this. Of course, they were supportive and came to my gigs but it wasn’t easy. I grew a lot as a person and as an artist in the first 2 years because there was so much unknown at that time and it was all happening very fast. Fast forward to now, and it’s crazy how much has changed. I recently became the new lead singer of a Luke Combs tribute band called “Like Combs”, I play over 200 shows a year with my own band called “Matt Brooks Band”, I’ve been able to play some of the biggest venues in DFW, I’ve played at the State Fair of Texas, and best of all got engaged in March of 2021 to an amazing woman. Music has always been the epicenter of my life, whether it was as a young kid banging on the drums and the neighbors calling the cops, making so many great friends these last few years, or like this moment right now of me typing up a biography about myself to submit to a magazine for the first time in my musical career. Music has always been the common denominator in almost all of the best times in my life and I’m grateful for that. I’m excited to keep growing and excited to continue to succeed and see where my music takes me. I truly enjoy what I do for a living and I know that in itself is a blessing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road since I started playing music professionally. I’ve made many mistakes and have used those things to change who I am as a person for the better. There are a lot of things that I’ve learned about myself as well as people that I surround myself with and I’ve had to make tough decisions in order to make sure that I have my best interest in mind. Loyalty is hard to come by in this business and being humble and honest goes a long way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a full-time musician. I play guitar and sing in my band called Matt Brooks Band. We specialize in a wide variety of genres of music from country to alternative and classic rock, to R&B.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
My last name is not Brooks, it’s actually Leise. (Pronounced “Lie-Zee”). When I first started playing music I went by Matt Leise, but everyone always butchered my last name. After about 10 months, I change my artist name to Matt Brooks instead, since Brooks is my middle name. It was an easy fix that I think actually helped people remember my name more.
Contact Info:
- Email: contactmatt123@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbrooks151/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattBrooksBand
