Artist Feature | Matt Doering
CommunionArts: Since we last spoke, a lot has changed for you. Your family has grown, you’ve released a new record, and I’m sure so much more. Give us a glimpse into how your creative process has changed and how you’ve adapted.
Matt Doering: Yes, it definitely has changed! We went from zero kids to two little girls, a 3 year old and a 6 month old, and it has been a new season of creating. Really, it’s LOTS of scheduling time to write, as well as, grabbing my guitar in the moments in between dishes, playing in the playroom, and bedtimes. Also, shoutout to voice memos and the notes app on my iPhone because all the quick thoughts and moments of inspiration get put straight in there.
CA: Your new record is great. Some really witty songwriting and turn of phrase. What was your process like making that record?
MD: Thank you so much! I am really proud of how the Developing EP turned out. Definitely my best work to date. Starting into 2024 I knew I wanted to record a project either late in the year or at the beginning of 2025. So with that in mind, I set out to write 60 songs; rough songs, as in having all the lyrics, verses, choruses, etc. completed with a rough chord structure and melody. I think I got somewhere solidly in the 30 - 40 range, and from there, I took time to pick the 5 I wanted to do. Where the witty writing and turns of phrase came from was both building on what I had done in the past (i.e., Seasons is actually a reimagining of an older tune I released on my first EP) as well as adopting this idea in my brain of writing down different phrases that I thought could be really cool to turn into part of a song. That’s where Developing came from. I had been looking at a few different film photography accounts on instagram, and thought of the idea of developing, and from there I was off to the races.
CA: I know you’re a big coffee guy. What sort of daily rituals with coffee or other parts of your day do you keep consistent to keep you focused on your creative process?
MD: Big coffee nerd, for sure. I try my best to make a cup or two of coffee before my kiddos wake up, because that little moment helps me slow down to start the day (I do pour over coffee most of the time, so it’s more of a moment than hitting start on a Keurig). Honestly, outside of that, consistency day to day is hard to come by with two littles, and being a stay-at-home dad two or three days a week. I would say my ideal form of consistency would be being able to have time in the morning to sit down with my guitar or sit down at a piano and just write for an hour or so. That would be awesome, and it may happen in a few years, but until then, I just steal the little moments I can for my creative process.
CA: I believe you do a fair amount of worship leading on top of songwriting and performing. How do you see those two vocations as complementary or maybe in some cases separate?
MD: Yes, outside of songwriting and performing, I am part part-time worship leader for Narrative Church in Round Rock, TX. Honestly, they’re both very similar in the nuts and bolts of playing music on guitar and singing, but outside of that, there are a few differences. I do write worship songs from time to time, but it’s not my wheelhouse, so songwriting typically is just for my work as an indie folk songwriter. Also, with leading worship, I am stepping into a moment to make myself disappear for the most part and let those worshiping connect with God through song. When I go out to perform, I am in a sense similarly trying to get folks to connect, but the lyrics aren’t as pointed. I sing songs about real life that all reflect the love and goodness of God, and while sometimes the lyrics of my songs come straight from scripture, they’re not that of a hymn. So in short, they both are calling upon the audience/congregation to experience the divine, one is just more overt than the other.
CA: What’s next for you creatively?
MD: The next thing creatively is looking to possibly record a few of the songs more stripped down/acoustic, and then beyond that, the next big project is writing a full-length (8-12 songs) album. It won’t be a traditional album, but I think it will be one of the coolest pieces of work I get to release.
CA: Finally, if you could recommend one record, and one coffee shop (or coffee), what would they be?
MD: One record I would recommend, would be Jesus by Jon Guerra. It’s his latest work, and honestly, it’s beautiful and nourishing to a weary world. “I See the Birds” is probably my favorite song off the record. And for coffee, while it is in Austin (and I know there’s excellent coffee everywhere), probably my favorite coffee shop of all time is called Proud Mary. They also have a sister location in Portland, but it’s wonderful. Not the kind of spot you’d necessarily go to get work done on your laptop, but it will be some of the best coffee you’ve ever had, and they have a full breakfast/brunch menu that is delicious!
CA: Where can our readers follow your work or hear your music?
MD: If readers want to follow my work, they can sign up for my email newsletter at mattdoeringmusic.com, follow me on Instagram @mattydoering, or Matt Doering Music on YouTube (where I may or may not be sharing some behind-the-scenes of making the EP). To hear my music, you can get there from my website (where you can also order Developing on vinyl) or just search “Developing EP Matt Doering” wherever you listen to music.
CA: Thanks, Matt! We appreciate you taking the time to share your creative process with us!