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“There’s so much imagery that comes to mind when I think of a willow tree,” says Matt Stamm, when asked about the title of his 3rd, independently-released album, “Willow”.  “I think of a rise to greatness from humble beginnings, shelter, protection, strength, responsibility, tenderness, many majestic qualities…but there’s also this sadness that just comes with the territory of being a weeping willow; a soft, emotional side which, like it or not, is out there for all the world to see.”
 
Stamm says he can relate.  “I feel like the life of a musician is similar in so many ways,” he explains.  “You battle the elements to grow your career from nothing to something, balancing the development of a thick skin with the need to wear your emotions on your sleeve, so people can relate to your music.  You can get really self-absorbed in the process if you let it happen.  But life is more than that, and as you get older you realize that there are many people who count on you in your personal life for strength and protection, and no matter how you feel on the inside, or what’s happening with your career, you need to be there for them because that’s what really matters.  To me, that’s a willow.”

Stamm has had somewhat of a roller-coaster ride both professionally and personally since his “Where Do We Go” EP, released in 2007.  “A band I was in got signed to a big label, and about a year later we were dropped.  Talk about high and low!  In 2008 I got married, which is wonderful, but my brother passed away just a few months prior.  I didn’t know it was possible to feel simultaneous elation and sadness like that.”

“Willow”, Matt Stamm’s latest album, reflects these ups and downs, and takes the listener through a range of emotions as he tells you the story of the last few years.  “Lucky” is about love found when least expected.  “Don’t Give Up” was written for Matt’s brother as his family hoped for a miraculous recovery.  “Coming Out of the Dark” talks about picking yourself up and starting all over again.

“These are some of the best songs I’ve ever written,” says Stamm.  “They’re very revealing.  I’m proud of them, and I’m happy to know that people are already feeling connected to them.  That’s my goal as a songwriter – to create something personal that other people can relate to.”  “Coming Out of the Dark”, “Don’t Give Up”, and “All Yours Now” have been placed in film and television.  A music-industry acquaintance used “Lucky” as their wedding song.  A woman who had lost her son in a car accident heard “Don’t Give Up”, and it helped her through a devastating period of her life.  When he heard about that, Stamm was moved.  “If a song of mine can help one person, even in the smallest way, then writing and recording it was completely worth it.”

Releasing “Willow” was also not without its own hardships and delays.  “I’ve had some of these songs for a while, but it took a long time to get them recorded,” says Stamm.  Unfortunately, though, the record deal with his former band prevented him to record and release any of his own material, so his solo project was put on the back burner for a bit.  

When production on “Willow” finally got underway, Stamm was glad to find that the people he had met during his time in the New York City music scene were eager to help out.  “I’m really lucky to have talented friends who contributed to this record for very little, if any, money.”  The album was recorded at friends’ small studios, as well as in Stamm’s apartment.  Matt gushed about the generosity and expertise of the people he knows, “Art Hays co-wrote and co-produced a lot of the songs.  He’s so talented and multi-faceted it’s not even funny.  Josh Dodes co-wrote and did some amazing piano tracks.  Marc Slutsky is a top New York City drummer, and he killed it on these songs.  Kevin Snider and Chris Hills are bandmates of mine in another project, and they put down some beautiful bass and guitar tracks.”

Stamm says the hardest part was getting together enough money to mix and master the songs.  “I cut out some meals, but it was completely worth it,” he says through a smile.  “Andy Marcinkowski is a young, super pro mixer who works with Jon Kaplan, and Duncan Stanbury at Groove Mastering took these recordings and really brought them to life.”

How would Matt Stamm best describe his new album, “Willow”?  “It’s honest and open songwriting, recorded the best I know how.  It was a labor of love that pushed me to stay strong and positive, and I’m really satisfied with the end result.”

Listeners are sure to agree.