Local artist profile: Matthew Mero

THE second soul in our series showcasing figures from Bendigo’s underground music scene is drummer and guitarist Matthew Mero, who purports that practicality and sacrifice, as well as minimalism, are some of the key aspects to making music a life ‘style’.

What motivated you to take up the drums and guitar?

My mother at first, she’d play music all the time such as Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Beatles and the Temptations.

She’d also write me songs when I was very little on guitar and sing them to me in Spanish.

From that early age I had a connection with music as a mode to expression as well as a form of communication.

Then, when my brother went into the army, he gave me his

box of tapes – it was a real mixed bag and at that point the spell was cast.

I’d play my mother’s guitar whenever I could get my hands on it until I found the drums at 15.

We didn’t have much money, so my mother rented me a snare and then I got a kick drum and piece by piece I got a full drum set.

I came back to the guitar many years later.

How would you describe your style?

I started like a lot of people do, listening to music and emulating the drummers that inspired me.

I was really lucky – some of my musical peers are amazing musicians and I’d pick their brain.

Improvisation is very important to my playing – every live performance is always a bit different.

If I had to choose one style it would be what the song calls for.

Which other guitarists/drummers inspire you?

Robert Fripp, IJ Booth, Chris Gunn (Hunches, Lavender Flu) Chris Smith (Bad Orchestra) Glenn Branca, Graham Clise

(StepMother, Lecherous Gaze, Witch) Jesse Swain (Blue Turns White) Ash Bowie (Polvo, Helium) Justin Trosper (Unwound, Survival Knife, Nocturnal Habits).

The one common factor with all of these artists is individuality.

Have you had any mentors over your career?

Some of the people I mentioned above were key to my development.

When I can’t figure something out I know that their expertise will shine a light towards what I’m looking for.

How can people check out your work?

I currently drum in Vague Rituals – we just released our debut album on Solar Sonar.

Bandcamp is a solid spot to catch our releases and then our Instagram for shows.

Vague Rituals’ album release show is tomorrow at The Old Bar (Fitzroy) and Villarreal will be performing at Trash Cult on Saturday 13 June.

I’m releasing my own album later this year under Villarreal (and) I also have a free-form instrumental trio that performs under that name.

Where do you see yourself as a musician in a couple of years? What about in 10 years?

It is and always has been very practical and simple for me – play music, practice, make records, play shows, try new things that scare me, and play as much improvisational music that I can.

What would you say to regional aspiring musicians who are thinking of making a go of the creative life?

Practicality and sacrifice as well as minimalism are some of the key aspects to making music a life ‘style’.

If you’re willing to try to make it your (only) source of income, be willing to go without.

Also, explore other mediums: I’m studying to become a counsellor but I still work as a cabinetmaker.

There are so many (other) avenues to go down to see what fulfills your creativity.