Pop Punk with a Side of Breakdowns: An Interview with PROTECT YOUR HEART
by Melanie Bryan
I recently had the chance to chat with vocalist Matty McDonald of Protect Your Heart, a rising band based out of CA. Initially unfamiliar with the band, I quickly became a fan. Their sound is familiar but fresh, and I do not doubt that these guys are going places! Look no further than Protect Your Heart if you’re looking for a new pop-punk addiction. Read on for more!
MSM: First of all, would you mind introducing yourself and briefly explaining your sound to potential new fans?
Matty: Hey, everyone! We are Protect Your Heart from Los Angeles, CA, and we want to write the heaviest pop songs possible.
MSM: Tell me about your journey with creating music. How did you get started, and was it something you always knew you wanted to do? How did PYH come together?
Matty: I became obsessed with music from the moment I could talk, though I didn’t really start singing until after high school when I got more into the punk and hardcore scenes. I started going to every show I could find and from that moment, all I could think about was writing and performing. I started working on any project I could – screamo, hip hop, pop, EDM…A few years later, I released an EDM collab with HIGHSOCIETY and that led me to meet Kean, and the rest is history.
MSM: Who were you most excited to see at the final Warped Tour?
Matty: Andrew WK…he rules!
MSM: When fans recommend PYH to others, what song do you think would be the best introduction to your music?
Matty: Any of them. I’m really proud of how this record turned out.
MSM: What do you think sets your music apart?
Matty: With each of us coming from the EDM and hip hop scenes, we naturally bring a bit of those experiences into writing this music. We also never think about style or genre when writing, so we never limit ourselves…if it feels good then we’re stoked.
MSM: What do you feel is the best song that you’ve ever released, and why?
Matty: I’m a terrible judge of my own music haha. I leave that up for the listeners to decide.
MSM: What was it like recording [re]introduction?
Matty: Most of the recording was done at Ant’s studio, and we always made it a point to keep it simple and fun. The best performances come when you aren’t stressed, you don’t overthink, and when you abandon expectations and let things come naturally.
MSM: What would you do differently if you were to start over again from day one?
Matty: I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve never had more fun playing music, and I’m thankful for the journey that got me here.
MSM: What do you think about the current state of the music industry?
Matty: I don’t really think about the larger music picture anymore. I used to get caught up in worrying about how hard it is to make it in a band and I’d go down that rabbit hole, but it always led me to be worrying about things I don’t have any control over. Now, I focus on the simple things that I do have control over – having fun writing and performing songs I’m stoked on, and supporting the other bands in our scene.
MSM: What’s next for PYH?
Matty: More songs and tons of shows! We just debuted our newest song at our most recent show, and everyone loved it. Easily one of my favorites.
MSM: What’s your motto or some good advice that you live by?
Matty: The PYH motto is “make cool shit with cool people”. These moments only happen once, and it’s worth making them special.
MSM: Last, but certainly not least, do you have any closing messages for your fans?
Matty: See ya’ll at a show soon!
FOLLOW PROTECT YOUR HEART
WEBSITE // INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // SPOTIFY
*HEADER PHOTO BY JON WILLIAMS