We were lucky to catch up with Matt Sassano recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Matt , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my EP In Defiance. It’s a personal rock record that digs into identity, trauma, and those quiet battles so many people keep buried. Growing up with cerebral palsy and dyscalculia, I often felt out of place. Writing lyrics became my way of processing what I couldn’t say out loud. Years later, those early writings evolved into In Defiance, produced by Josiah Prince of Disciple at The Ranch Studio in Nashville.
If you connect with bands like Breaking Benjamin, Skillet, Papa Roach, or Three Days Grace, you’ll probably find something in this EP—and the music I’ve released since—that speaks to you. Songs like Not My Name, Dear God, and the title track In Defiance explore what it means to reclaim your identity when the world tries to define you.
As a mental health advocate, I wanted the message to go beyond the songs. That’s why I created The Defiant—an exclusive online community of underdogs and overcomers. It’s a space where people dealing with trauma, addiction, anxiety, human trafficking, and more come together. Some share their faith. Others look for support with mental health. It’s a place to be real, no matter your background or belief.
In Defiance is a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt invisible, rejected, or not enough. If you’ve been there, this record—and this community—was made with you in mind.
Matt , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Matt Sassano, a rock artist and mental health advocate originally from Canisteo, New York—a small town with more backroads than stoplights. In 2014, I moved to Knoxville, Tennessee with my incredibly supportive mom, Janelle, and my stepdad, Steve, to chase something that felt out of reach: connection through music. I recorded my first EP, Proving Ground, with Grammy-nominated producer Travis Wyrick and started playing anywhere I could—clubs, pubs, churches—just trying to connect with people in every corner of the local scene.
That led to my 2021 solo EP In Defiance, produced by Grammy-nominated Josiah Prince of Disciple. It marked the first time I really peeled the layers back and shared my full story—mental health struggles, trauma, identity, and the lasting impact of living with disabilities like cerebral palsy and dyscalculia. I write for the underdog—for anyone who’s ever felt isolated, mislabeled, or unseen.
My music transforms heavy, often unspoken topics into raw, anthemic rock that reaches both Christian and mainstream listeners alike. I’ve brought that message to music venues, churches, and even maximum-security prisons, and what matters most to me is that the heart behind it stays the same—honesty, hope, and connection.
On stage, I confront the darker parts of my life. But offstage? I’m a full-blown man-child. I love talking with fans, cracking jokes, and quoting Saved by the Bell or Good Burger. I’ve got a huge ’90s movie DVD collection, and fans have even sent me Ninja Turtle socks and action figures on tour. It’s weird—and I love it.
Over the years, I’ve come alongside people facing addiction, trauma, and mental health battles. I’ve helped provide resources, written songs for survivors of human trafficking, and heard stories from people who say my music helped them feel seen—or even gave them a reason to keep going.
I’m currently partnering with the Holt Foundation to support underprivileged children around the world with food, clothing, and basic needs. It’s not just about making music—it’s about using the platform I’ve been given to show people they matter.
What I’m most proud of is that somehow, this small-town dork gets to travel and write with his musical heroes—and I get to come alongside people, making them feel less alone and more comfortable just being themselves.
You can connect with me on my website or follow me on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content:
• Website: mattsassano.com
• Instagram: @mattsassanomusic
• Facebook: Matt Sassano Music
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest things I’ve had to unlearn is the idea that there’s some magic key to success—that some “industry expert” or course or connection is going to unlock everything for you. There are a lot of people out there who prey on an artist’s vulnerability. And when you’re chasing something meaningful, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking someone else has the answers.
But over the past few years, I’ve realized the truth: no one is going to care about your dream more than you. What’s worked for me hasn’t been some big secret—it’s been keeping the process close to home. My mom, Janelle, takes my press photos. My girlfriend, Faith, and I design my album artwork together. My stepdad, Steve, handles all the Spotify logistics. I’m personally reaching out to radio, setting up interviews, handling releases. And while we do consult with a few trusted professionals, 90% of what you see is built in-house, by a small circle that believes in the music and the mission.
It’s become a family business—literally. And in a world full of empty promises and quick fixes, that’s been grounding. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to trust my gut, stay hands-on, and stop waiting for someone else to tell me when or how to move. Because at the end of the day, this is my vision—and it’s my responsibility to protect
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2016, one of my bands broke up—and that was the start of a major pivot in my career. I was frustrated, unsure of what came next, and I started chasing something that felt “safe.” I enrolled in a music licensing course, hoping I could make a living writing songs for TV and film. But the deeper I got into it, the more I felt like I was losing myself. I wasn’t telling my story—I was trying to write generic, sync-friendly music I didn’t connect with. And eventually, I just hit a wall. I couldn’t stand what I was making. I didn’t believe in it, and I knew if I didn’t believe in it, no one else would either.
That season taught me a hard but necessary truth: if you’re just trying to sell something you don’t believe in, people will feel it—and they won’t care. I pulled all those songs from Spotify. I couldn’t leave them up because they didn’t represent who I was.
It wasn’t until my In defiance EP that I really started owning my story—talking about mental health, trauma, identity, and everything that shaped me. It was vulnerable. It was raw. And ironically, when I stopped trying to be what I thought the industry wanted, people started paying more attention. The more honest I became, the more people connected.
No, I may not be the richest artist out there—but I’m definitely more fulfilled than I’ve ever been. I’m finally making music I believe in, and it’s reaching people in ways that actually matter.
And look, it’s good to take opinions. You shouldn’t live on an island all by yourself—but you also need to know your limits. If something starts pulling you away from your identity or your core message, that’s a sign to pause. Trust your gut. Stay grounded in what’s true for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Mattsassano.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattsassanomusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattSassanoMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MattSassanoMusic
Image Credits
Tyler Byers photography