Matt Zajac (Garden Of Hedon)

1. “What’s a common myth about Independent Artists and can you debunk it?”

A:  I’d say probably the most common myth regarding independent artists is that classic one everyone always talks about from Greek Mythology…it’s the one where the Garden Of Hedon boys are drinking wine with Dionysus all weekend and then after defeating Antaeus they steal the golden apples from The Garden Of Hesperides. You know this one right?  Their bravery then wins them the attention of the old man from seas’ 50 beautiful nereid daughters… remember? they made that movie about it?….can I debunk it? No. I don’t think anyone can. 

2. “What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter the music industry?”

A:  Write music that you would want to listen to and maybe other people who like the same kind of stuff will give a shit. Don’t try and follow trends and try & have a thick skin. Drive fast and reckless and don’t wear a condom. Oh wait, I mean….oh nevermind, that is what I meant. 

3. “Are there any resources or even advice that have really helped you on your journey?”

A: Just to believe in what you’re doing and don’t compromise. The best resource is really just gonna be the people that you meet along the way. There is no substitute for just getting out there and playing live. 

4. “What has been your biggest accomplishment in your career thus far?”

A: Success is measured in many different ways. To me, I’d say my biggest accomplishment has been having real artistic integrity and staying true to whatever my creative vision is at the time. That is more valuable to me than all the other stuff. 

5. “What do you wish you had known when you started out?”

A: How to seduce and bewitch people’s minds through my piercing gaze to make them to do my bidding 

6. “What led you to becoming a singer-songwriter?”

A: A love of music and of the nomadic, gypsy rock n roll lifestyle. bands like Aerosmith, T.Rex, The Beatles, Bowie, The Cramps, The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground, The Black Crowes, The Stooges….and so many others. 

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7. “What do you think is your unique skill(s) that has helped you become successful?”

A: I’m great in the sack 

8. “How was your journey to what you do
Now?”

A: Strange and epic. It’s been a lot like Jules Verne’s Journey To The Center Of The Earth but with more guitars involved. 

9. “How did this project begin?”

A: I had written some songs awhile back and put out a “solo” record called “Garden Of Hedon” (2020). The dudes that played on that record with me, William James Donovan (bass), Steve Serra (guitar), and Johnny Keys (keys), became the nucleus of the band we have now and so Garden Of Hedon seemed like a fitting name as we rolled on from that. Down the road we linked up with Tim Provost (drums). 

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10. “What makes this project different from “past projects?”

A: Names, faces, places & dates, the words we say and the sounds we make 

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11. “What’s the inspiration behind this project?”

A: 70’s glam rock, punk rock, science fiction, 60’s/70’s rock n roll, The Twilight Zone, counterculture, the unknown…

12. “What word or phrase would you use to describe this project?”

Eclectic, weird, ambitious… each of our songs is kinda like its own freestanding episode or short story from an anthology series, with a different cast, location and plot that takes place in a different time period. 

13. “How can listeners get in touch with or support you?”

A: get in touch with us either through our social media pages or our website. Carrier pigeons can be unreliable and smoke signals are a bust if it’s too windy out. To support the band, come on out to our live shows, maybe buy some  merch, tell your friends about our music,  follow us on social media, let us crash on your couch, buy us a beer….

14. “What is coming up for you in the near future?”

A: We are currently writing songs for our NEXT record &  performing live as much as possible. We are playing with Marc Ford (The Black Crowes) on June 10th In Lowell, Ma. 

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15. “Many people believe that becoming a musical artist is challenging to the point it
becomes overwhelming and too much to handle. Why do you think people believe that?”

A: There are so many aspects to trying  to bring quality music to a large audience, and for independent artists who don’t have the infrastructure set up yet to have every base covered for them, they end up having to take care of a wide range of duties themselves in order to make it happen. many of these are things that would traditionally be handled by someone else once the band reaches a certain level… like promotion, booking, social media, etc. etc. etc. it’s like several full time jobs without even including the creative aspects. 

16. “What’s the most common reason for people failing or giving up?”

A: They don’t want it bad enough 

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17. “What is your favorite word?”

A: I enjoy all words equally. it’s fascinating that words can wield the power that they do. I find it humorous sometimes the way people are affected by “bad” words/ swear words/ “curse” words. We’ve created a taboo around something that we created ourselves. It’s ironic. Actually, I think my favorite word is abracadabra. 

18. “What are you not very good at?”

A: Giving a straight answer 

19. “If you could have one superpower, what would it be?”

A:  To be able to find a loophole in any situation. For instance, if I was told I could only pick one superpower, I would find a loophole that would allow me to pick several. Thats the one I’d go with. 

20. “If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be?”

A: I’m gonna go with Circus Peanuts because they’ve got a very long shelf life, I think they’ve got formaldehyde in them or something, and since no one in the world likes them I wouldn’t have to worry about getting eaten by anyone. Quick tie-in: Tim Provost would like for me to mention to you that he enjoys Spam. 

21. “If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would you choose?”

Godzilla