Matias

originally published July 18, 2007

This week's Spotlight shines down on local artist Matias. Nicole Matias, the sole architect of the indie-pop project of the same name, is barely out of high school but imparts a mature sound well beyond her 19 years. She describes her style of music as "slow motion," and that's a fairly accurate portrayal.

Matias' lyrics are self-aware and the music has that lo-fi aesthetic. The vocals on "I Stayed Behind" could easily draw comparisons to fellow Athens songbird Madeline. And the piano-laced folk song "Only My Hands Went Free" has a melody that's upbeat as well as calmative. Dreamy and acoustic with a mix of sadly saccharine lyrics, Matias sounds like a Southern-tinged Gemma Hayes, but with a little more liveliness.

Due to scheduling conflicts, guitarist Seth Bolton is no longer part of the band, but Matias still manages to render a full sound without sounding weakened; drop a line to her MySpace page (www.myspace.com/thisismatias) to sample the sonics. At the end of this past May, Matias began working with local songwriter and engineer Nate Nelson to record an EP, The Split Leaf. It'll feature tracks off her upcoming full-length album, which she hopes to release in the fall. Flagpole was able to catch Matias for a quick tête-à-tête before a show at Tasty World.

Flagpole

How did Matias come together, and what made you want to pursue music in the first place?

Nicole Matias

I was pretty much brought up on The Beatles. My dad was always playing guitar and he got my brother into it and then later me. After plenty of awful pop-punk infused songs and a girl band in middle school, I put music on hold. Last summer I picked it up again, which was great timing when I moved to Athens for school in the fall and fell in love with the nature of the place, and the atmosphere, and how conducive it was to making music.

Flagpole

Your sound is similar to that of bands like Azure Ray and Mazzy Star. Would you say these are fair comparisons?

Nicole Matias

I think it's cool. I'm a fan of both Azure Ray and Mazzy Star. In fact, the first time I ever played in front of a crowd I covered "Displaced" by Azure Ray. So yeah, I would definitely say I'm flattered. I think my music being associated with a label such as "dream pop" is a good thing.

Flagpole

What influences would you say play a significant role in your music?

Nicole Matias

John K. Sampson's [of The Weakerthans] lyrical style, big sweatshirts, George Harrison, John Lennon, feeling tired and liking it, Jenny Lewis, the human body, Grandaddy, hypothetical situations, white noise, Athens, nature, Radiohead, technology, any author I happen to like or book I happen to be reading… just way too much of everything I guess.

Flagpole

How do you feel about the state of pop music today?

Nicole Matias

Hmm… I have a lot of different feelings about a lot of different kinds of music. I'm really pleased with the variety of resources on the Internet available to artists and bands to promote their music. [It] definitely aid[s] those based on self promotion, and how you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get your name out there.

Flagpole

Are there any Athens bands that you're currently into right now?

Nicole Matias

I love the music scene we have here. I was at AthFest and was glad I caught the sets of Madeline, The Dexateens and We Versus the Shark.

Flagpole

Any big plans for 2008?

Nicole Matias

I will hopefully have my first full-length release in the beginning of the year. I'd like to tour more of the Southeast, work with some new bands and musicians, meet some great people, continue to write and finish another year at UGA.

Flagpole

Finally, iTunes: friend or foe?

Nicole Matias

There's no tension between us. I'm planning to work with AthensMusic.net to soon have my EP available with them, and on iTunes.

Charley Lee

Spotlight is a biweekly feature looking at newer or emerging local acts.