Hailing from Wexford, Pennsylvania, pop artist Parker Matthews moved to Los Angeles to explore his identity and pursue his dreams of becoming a music artist. Parker brings a bold, sensual, and soulful voice to the industry and has performed at New York Fashion Week and pride festivals in Denver and Pittsburgh.
In his debut EP No Regular Love, Matthews defines perseverance, tapping into past relationships and realizing he is enough after being told he wasn’t as a child. No Regular Love is for fans seeking hope, comfort and has received rave reviews from many respected music critics.
Parker has also taken on the Los Angeles music scene as an artist and songwriter. Recent collaborations include creating with songwriter Myah Marie, who has worked with artists like Britney Spears and RuPaul, and producer/songwriter Danny Solano, who’s worked with Selena Gomez, Chris Brown, and Megan Thee Stallion.
We sat down (virtually) with Parker to hear about his tenacity as an artist, what it was like collaborating with prominent songwriters, and his latest single, “Layover.”
Of the track, Matthew tells Celeb Secrets, “‘Layover’ is, by far, my favorite record that I’ve ever written and recorded. As much as the song is about the emotional layover that I was for this guy, the irony of the record is that he was actually in LA on a layover when we met. We hit it off so incredibly well; it was like nothing I have ever experienced. However, he had to leave to go back home to Europe. Although we stayed in touch and saw each other again, when he was back in LA, he had met someone else at home and now is dating that guy. I was the ‘Layover.'”
Check out the full Q&A below and let us know if you love Parker Matthews’ music by leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
You can connect with Parker by giving him a follow on Instagram at @officialparkermatthews.
Celeb Secrets: What has inspired your determination and tenacity?
Parker Matthews: “Hey, Celeb Secrets! Thanks for interviewing me! I’d say my biggest inspiration for determination is hearing the stories of other major artists. One really unique aspect of having a career in entertainment is that no one’s success story is the same. Everyone’s background is different, but one thing we all have in common is we NEVER give up on ourselves and our dreams.”
CS: How were you able to overcome your surroundings to relocate to LA and follow your dreams?
PM: “It was actually on a trip to Europe to see friends that gave me the wake-up call that if I really wanted to do this, I couldn’t stay in my hometown of Pittsburgh… I needed to move to where the heart of pop music is: LA! I’ve been able to overcome a lot just by meeting new creatives and getting in the studio to unpack things through writing!”
CS: What is your advice to those who may want to leave their circumstances to pursue their goals?
PM: “I say go for it! I was so fearful that if I stayed at home and didn’t follow my dreams, I would deeply regret it one day when I was much older and think to myself, ‘what if I would have tried?’. Leaving your circumstance may seem scary at first, but with some hard work and self-belief, you can do it!”
CS: What was your favorite part about creating your latest EP?
PM: “My favorite part was the writing of it. It forced me to be vulnerable, as it was my first time assembling a collective piece of art to begin to tell my story. It presents part of my life that I hadn’t otherwise shared before, where I really grew up into who I am today.”
CS: Between songwriting and singing, if you had to choose one, which would it be and why?
PM: “Although I LOVE songwriting, if I had to choose, it would be singing, hands down. Singing is therapy for me. I can’t really put the feeling into words, but singing is a part of me. It’s what I do and who I am at my core.”
CS: You’ve collaborated with notable songwriters/producers- who have been your favorite to work with and why?
PM: “I would say my favorites have been Myah Marie and Michael Blum. The three of us wrote my newest single, Layover, and it was such an unforgettable session. We work so harmoniously together and truly have fun along the way. Although I was holding back tears for a good part of that session, writing that record and telling my story was a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. Since then, Myah and I have written a few more songs together, and I cannot wait to share them with you!”
CS: What can you tell us about your recent single, “Layover?”
PM: “‘Layover’ is, by far, my favorite record that I’ve ever written and recorded. As much as the song is about the emotional layover that I was for this guy, the irony of the record is that he was actually in LA on a layover when we met. We hit it off so incredibly well; it was like nothing I have ever experienced. However, he had to leave to go back home to Europe. Although we stayed in touch and saw each other again, when he was back in LA, he had met someone else at home and now is dating that guy. I was the ‘Layover.'”
CS: You’ve worked with artists (songwriters, for example) that cover many music genres/work with different artists; what is your favorite genre of music and why?
PM: “I would say that my favorite genre of music is Pop because it’s always on the cutting edge of something new. My favorite type of song, though, is a ballad. When I sing a ballad, it connects to my soul, and I become one with the song.”
CS: Is “Layover” a taste of what we can expect from you in the future?
PM: “Absolutely! I have a couple more ballads that I have written, and I am super excited to share them! I also love a dance record, so I am working on some of those as well! In the immediate future, I have an acoustic version of ‘Layover’ coming out on October 23rd that I can wait to share!”
CS: What are your goals for 2022?
PM: “My goals for the rest of 2022 are continuing to write new music and record it so I can be ready for 2023! Next year I have an album on the way and some festivals as well!”
CS: Since we’re Celeb Secrets, do you have a secret about yourself or your music that people wouldn’t know from you?
PM: “A fun fact that most people don’t know is that I’m ambidextrous. I’m also really good at vocally mimicking others!”
