Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Mireles
Hi Matt, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started playing drums when I was 12 years old. It all started with an impromptu jam session with my brother, Seth, who plays guitar and sings in our band, Zegovia and he plays lead guitar in Junkyard Cat (I also play drums in that band).
Our first jam session was just two kids in middle school playing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in our garage, very horribly. Overtime, I got obsessed with drums and before I knew it, I was practicing every day for hours. Over the years, I’ve played with many musicians and have had to privilege to do session work for other bands and artists through my home studio. One of the bands I did session work for was Junkyard Cat. That all started with seeing my friend’s, Tessa’s story on Instagram (She ended up designing our logo and artwork for our releases) and it was a video of this guy sitting down in front of his computer playing guitar and the caption said, “When your friend makes indie music and it’s actually really good.” That guy was Adam Whitty, the lead singer, guitar player and songwriter for Junkyard Cat. I played drums on the releases that he was writing while he was away at college. When Adam came back to Houston, we started jamming at my house with Seth and our very good friend and insanely talented bass player, Jack Hamilton. The four of us became Junkyard Cat and it’s been super fun to play with them.
Zegovia started this year with my brother and I and our friend/amazing bass player, Chandler Weber. We’ve released three singles and we have an album on the way, set to come out later this year! We’ve been working with Houston legend, John Allen Stephens. John has been bringing our songs to life in a way that we’ve always dreamed of. Zegovia’s sound is loud, raw, energetic, dynamic and complex. There’s lots of inspiration from alternative rock and hard rock.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The music road is never a smooth road. We’ve had our struggles along the way but that’s what happens in life and you keep pushing through. The hardest part about being in a band is getting people to care about you. In Zegovia’s song, “Flies”, it discusses the struggles of being in a band and how musicians are often taken advantage of in the music industry. It also addresses the depression and hardships that come with being in a band.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a drum instructor and a church drummer. I also do session work for artists and bands by recording drums on their songs at my home studio in Houston. I’m proud that I’ve figured out a way to make money by playing the drums. It’s what I love to do. I stay busy and remain busy and the best part is, my life revolves around drums so it’s very non-stressful.
From the people that I’ve worked with, they’ve always told me that my energy and positivity as a person and as a drummer sets me apart. I’m very blessed that I get to do what I love on a daily basis. It’s so important to spread positive energy and express it.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Send me a DM on Instagram for session work! My Instagram and Tiktok is @mattymdrums and my band’s Instagrams are @zegoviaband and @junkyardcatband. Come see Zegovia and Junkyard Cat live and listen to our music on all platforms!
Image Credits
Tony Lam
Kinley Weber
Shelby Cothren
