2020 was a year that could be described in may ways, one of which being “adaptation.” Musicians had to learn how to adapt their careers from setting up songwriting sessions virtually to performing over various social media platforms, keeping their love of music and their fans up front and center. North Carolina native Matt Stillwell was already a few steps ahead of the challenge, creating his touring Hometown House Party rig in 2019, and continued to bring his music to communities through the pandemic. Today, Matt is premiering a video documenting his Hometown House Party Tour and honoring the connections he’s made with his fans exclusively with The Country Note.
We recently caught up with Matt to talk about putting his show on the road (literally), the video and his fans, and new music!
CN: Hi Matt! Thank you for taking the time out to chat with us! As we hit the one-year mark of COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
MS: We are doing good. Thankfully our girls were able to be in school and face-to-face the vast majority of time, my wife was able to continue working at their school, and I’ve continued to play. We’ve all been pretty healthy this whole time and we are now vaccinated, so we’re about as good as we can be I believe.
CN: In 2019, in an almost prophetic decision, you started to ride around on a flatbed truck playing shows in the streets of St. Louis. Then when the pandemic arrived you created a custom mobile stage. What gave you this incredible idea before the lockdowns began?
MS: I had started playing these Hometown House Parties in 2019 and was loving the connection I was having. When I went to St Louis, it really opened my eyes to how much we all need real human interaction. At that time, we were all at home and besides our immediate families, we were only seeing people on our phones and TV’s. Seeing the positive reaction folks had to me passing by their house or parking and playing in their neighborhood is what solidified things for me. That’s when I knew I had to figure out how to continue doing what I was doing.
CN: At what point did you realize that the two weeks to slow the spread was going to go longer, and that you would be able to expand your touring stage that’s “part Bluebird Cafe, part House Party”?
MS: I think that point came when around the 2nd or 3rd round of shows cancelled. The week the trailer was built, I was on my way to California and in about 15 minutes had 20+ shows cancelled. This is when CA had slightly loosened restrictions and then pulled them back again. The trailer was something I felt would help me present what I was doing in a great way, but early on, in the back of my mind, I was still figuring out how I would continue to use it when things opened back up. That round of cancellations is what made the fact that this is going to last, sink in.
CN: For those of us who haven’t seen it, can you give us some details about this portable venue?
MS: It is essentially a musical food truck, LOL! It’s 20 feet long and the back half is open but covered. That’s my stage. I have lights on there and set up my Bose system right outside on the ground. The front half has a concessions window that I use to help sell my merchandise. I got it wrapped when it was finished, so it looks good, and it’s fun to ride down the highway and meet the people passing me…(well meet the people I pass on the road 🙂
CN: How many shows were you able to do last year? How many states did you visit?
MS: You had to make me count! 🙂 So, I’ve played 66 shows since the trailer was built as of this weekend (May 22). I’ve traveled through 20 states to get to those shows.
CN: An awesome result that came from this idea is that your shows are very intimate. You are welcomed into people’s neighborhoods. You get to hear their stories and they get to hear yours. Are there any specific tour stops that have stayed with you?
MS: I played on Marla Lane down around Tampa this past weekend. This was my second show in that neighborhood and it quadrupled in size this time around. After the first show there, a group of men asked if they could pray over me. I hadn’t really ever had that happen to me, and certainly not after a show. It was really eye-opening to see the effect that the stories and show had on them that night, and that has certainly stuck with me.
CN: You created a video showcasing some of the fans you’ve met over the past year, that we are honored to premiere to our readers.
MS: Fortunately I’ve been able to tour nationally since I put out my first single, “Shine”. In many cases I’ve met a lot of these folks over the last 10 years at shows. I knew because I’m doing something different, that I needed to capture some of it on video so that I can show people what I’m doing. I love the video and hope it helps me tell this story. Thank you for premiering!
Watch the video premiere below:
CN: Last year was so successful – both professionally and personally – are you thinking about going forward with this permanently?
MS: I am certainly doubling down on the Hometown House Party Tour. We are looking for ways to grow the concept by partnering with some radio stations, schools, etc…I connect and am connecting better with these shows, than I ever have before, and that’s the most important part for me. I’m ready! Let’s Go!
CN: You have also been busy recording. This summer you will release a re-recording of your 2015 emotional hit “Hey Dad” as “Hey Dad 2021.”
MS: Some of the desire to re-record the song actually stems from the Hometown House Party Tour. They are so intimate and showcase my storytelling in a way that “Hey Dad” really stands out. I’ve booked several because people love that song as well.
Ultimately I want to give the song a bigger platform. I’ve seen and see or hear the impact of the song from fans every day. I feel the impact because it helps me in my healing. The new version, “Hey Dad (2021)”, is a little closer to the way I play the song live, and it will allow us to promote to streaming services and radio with a brand new track, in hopes of giving the song the exposure I think it deserves.
CN: Earlier this year you released the album “Hometown” and word has it that there is another EP in the works?
MS: I’m out on the road most of the summer, but will be getting back into the studio in late summer or early fall to record some more songs. I’ve been doing a lot of living and I’ve got a feeling all that drive time will spark some good song ideas to write! So, yes, soon!
CN: How can fans find out where the mobile Hometown House Party is headed? Are they able book a show in their hometown?
MS: My website has my schedule on it, and I post about my shows on my socials. https://www.