Artist Spotlight: Matt Mullins & The Bringdowns
Courtesy of Matt Mullins
The Appalachian Preservation Project is proud to present Matt Mullins & The Bringdowns as this week’s Artist Spotlight.
The following answers are courtesy of Matt Mullins.
How did Matt Mullins & The Bringdowns come together as a band? How long have you been together?
We’re all friends through music, playing the scene in southern West Virginia for the last decade. We came together to help make my ( Matt Mullins) first solo record and, in shaping the songs, we realized we had something special. Stuart Hill demanded we go out and support this record because of how different of a project it’s become.
What is the inspiration behind the name The Bringdowns?
The term “bringdowns” was brought up once I (Matt) heard the first playback of what we had recorded. There was a unison filled sigh of enjoyment and relief. I called that the Bringdown. Also, it felt like we all were in different crazy spots in life, but this was a way that we all got brought down together.
What are the backgrounds of each of the members?
Matt Mullins - Singer/songwriter grew up in Beckley, WV and really began writing songs right out of High School. I was apart of the bands Old School Abbey and The Boatmen which toured pretty extensivly before forming The Bringdowns in 2016.
Stuart Hill- Lead Guitar/ Musical Director grew up in Pineville, WV but currently resides in Beckley. Stuart was a guitar prodigy at a young age and has had many accolades performing all over the US. Atomic Jo and From The Future were his previous notable groups.
Dylan McInTurff- Drums/ Vocals was raised in Athens, WV and has been the drummer of bands ‘What’s Left’ and ‘A Noted Author’
Bob Campion is a Princeton, WV native and is a multi instrumentalist that plays bass and sings with the Bringdowns. He was the front man for ‘What’s Left, JC/BC and the Poor Taters
Justin Puett who is on Keys is originally from Coal Mountain, WV but now lives in Charleston, WV and opened his own the music store Folklore Music. He also has his own group called The Parachute Brigade.
What artists are currently inspiring the band?
We all come from very different places as music fans but find commonality in several groups.
We all love Drive By Truckers, Metallica, Jason Isbell, Pearl Jam, Van Halen, Prince, Tom Petty... I guess I'm noticing in making this list that our commonalites are all in BIG GUITAR bands. Which would make so much sense in whyh we believe in our sound.
Current artists we are digging in on as we travel are Teskey Brothers, Illiterate Light, JRAD, William Strings, Joy Oladakin, Madi Diaz, California Honeydrops, Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
How would you describe the band's sound/style?
The sound of this group is really special to us because we all come from such different backgrounds in music. But collectively, we have a Ya’lternative dad rock vibe that was called “Drive-By Truckers-meets-Afghan Whigs” which we love.
How do you hope your music impacts people?
Music is so powerful in how it evokes emotional change. We hope that someone listens and relates to whatever situation their in and it makes a positive change in their mood. That is always the goal in writing, to attach someone and make them feel better than they did before they heard the tune.
What life experiences inform your music?
A life of love for West Virginia, love for my family and stories that I've been lucky enough to still be around to tell. Our evolution in writing I think it is pretty visible in that the first 2 Bringdowns albums were fueled from some bitter drinking days. This new album "Monarch Sessions' is really my journey of living life to the fullest without substances. Alot of folks took to heavier drinking during the pandemic, however I decided to stop all together.
What is the importance of collaborating and engaging with other musicians?
Collaboration and engagement with other musicians is what music is all about. Inspiration comes out of doing those things.
Are you currently touring? Where can people find your show dates?
Yes, we have many dates posted in support of our new album. On Social media search: Matt Mullins & The Bringdowns or go to bringdowns.com for more info.
Are you working on a recording project? If so, tell me about it.
Monarch Sessions is our 4th full-length album. Twelve songs all about our journey. We even put a tune by the late Buchannon, WV legend: Walter Debarr in hopes to still spread his music and tell his story of saddness to try to show others that might need some more motivation to get out of their bad situation. Please stream it wherever you listen to music and go give us a like and follow @thebringdowns on Insta.
Courtesy of Matt Mullins
