We recently connected with Jeff Pitts and have shared our conversation below.

Jeff, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

A lot chance and struggle can help lead to a place like where I am now, on a comfort level, when it comes to being an artist and creative. I would be a musician either way, but a middle class, full timer wasn’t on my radar. The 15-year-old me knew I was going to be a rock star! The 25-year-old me felt the same way, but also knew I needed some luck – the clock was ticking. When I hit 30, I had already lost relationships and any use of my majors in school. No matter what I felt, to convince others to believe in me was tough. Then I got laid off from my job. Perfect timing! I took that moment to take my effort to a level I never had. I was going to make this work.

Only then, in the age where it was easier to promote than ever with social media, easier than ever to get your music distributed, etc, I felt this was a means to “get out there.” Top that off with the physical effort I’d make to talk to people, make the phone calls and emails and then get out there and play. Then, I had a stroke of luck. Only about two months in, I met Jessica Skinner. From there, she put some blind faith in me, as she had no desire to be a performer at a professional level and I honestly don’t know if she ever intended to write songs at that point in time. But she was so natural and it all clicked. No, we aren’t rock stars, but we learned how to use the tools the world gives us now to make a good living doing what we love. So, I am definitely happier as an artist and creator. A regular job would be a means to jam. Now, jamming is a mean to write and jam.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Jeff Pitts and I am one half of the Columbia, SC-based duo Prettier Than Matt. In 2010, we started this group as a side project to a band I was in called Deleveled. Quickly, we figured out that it was working, so we hit the open mic scene with force. Our simple goal was to make extra money and reach goals that neither of us had achieved at the time.

Since, we are released 6 CDs, 2 vinyls and 1 cassette. We’ve toured America multiple times, performed in Canada, placed 4 songs on television, performed at The House of Blues, the Icehouse Amphitheater, The Senate, the Music Farm, the Charleston Music Hall, Wolf Trap and many other cool venues, as well as played seemingly every bar and restaurant in the southeast. We also been fortunate enough to open for Edwin McCain, the Spin Doctors, the Blue Dogs, Sister Hazel and many more. We never take these things for granted and in saying that, we’ve turned this into a career.

I’m most proud of being part of the Columbia scene, where many musicians I know can move between covers and originals without typecasting what an artist is. We are a musical group, not a “cover band” or “originals only.” And most of our scene sleeps better at night knowing they support others in our scene. It’s a beautiful thing.

We are two, but we can “rock” with anyone. Music is first, but being an entertainer is right behind it, and I believe our stage presence helps define us and what we offer.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I’m representing two people here, but can only speak for myself when I saw creation. Creating a song is my favorite thing. One day you have an idea, one day you record it… it’s nothing and then it’s here. And at that moment, it’s sharable with the world. I can picture myself, as a kid, thinking about how it would feel to have a CD in my hands that had my music on it. Now, it’s just music we put out into the clouds. And still CDs. Yeah, we do that!

And my first priority in life is being a husband and father. Each time I record a song now, I think to myself how my daughter can listen to the thoughts of her dad when I’m too old to talk about it, or even worse, not here to talk about it. Sounds dark, but I think it’s amazing.

I know Jessica feels the same way! “Mommy sing!”

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I once sold a guitar to a guy in Russia to pay my rent. That’s short and sweet, but shows me where I’ve gotten with this job, or as I called it then, hobby.

At that time, I thankfully had a roommate that was patient and a family that put up with me and my head in the clouds approach to life. It’s easier to be resilient when you have that extra support, so I’m sure there many others around here who have had more!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.prettierthanmatt.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettierthanmatt
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrettierThanMatt/
• Twitter: https://x.com/ptmmusic?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/prettierthanmatt
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/prettierthanmatt

Image Credits

Brodie Porterfield, Michelle Springs