Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Matthew Gose. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Matthew thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was born in Carlsbad, California—a place where the Pacific’s whispers and the hum of passing cars were my first lullabies. I grew up the son of two unlikely prophets of sound: my mother, a wooden, music-loving, Jesus-freak hippy hairdresser, and my father, a hard-riding, truck-driving disciple of Clint Eastwood. Their world was stitched together by the timeless beats of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s—a patchwork of The Beach Boys, CSNY, Led Zeppelin, and CCR that filled our long car rides with magic.

In a childhood where even small treasures were hard-won, the day I held my very own portable CD player felt like unearthing a secret key to another universe. I still remember the crisp moment when The Beatles’ “1” album spun into life; every lyric, every beat, every melody carved itself into my heart. It was a revelation—a glimpse of a destiny that was more than mere survival, a promise of endless possibility.

By high school, the guitar became my voice, my confidante, the medium through which I began to imagine a life immersed in music. I was seduced by the raw blues of Mississippi Fred McDowell and Son House, inspired by the rebellious echoes of Radiohead, Blur, and Oasis, and nurtured by the poetic soul of Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell. In college at Point Loma Nazarene University, while I pursued literature, my afternoons were spent burning CDs from sprawling archives of forgotten sea chanties, chain gang songs, and the timeless murmur of folk recordings. Music was not just sound—it was the alchemy that transformed raw emotion into art.

Yet, the practical world had its own plans. Pressured by family, society, and my own sense of duty, I embraced a “sensible” path in education and even served as a worship leader for over 15 years, believing that Christian ministry would be my lifelong calling. Music remained a vital undercurrent in my life, but it felt like an echo of something greater that lay just beyond my reach.

Then, life’s darker chords began to play. Amid the chaos of family addiction, abuse, and the suffocating weight of debt, depression, and anxiety, I found myself wandering the streets—a soul tethered to despair. But even in that desolation, love found me. In the embrace of a partner and the support of kindred spirits, I unearthed the strength to once again heed the call of music.

I returned to the stage after more than a decade, not as a pastime, but as a lifeline. I learned to produce my own sound, enrolled in an AA program in audio technology, and, when the world came crashing down with closed venues and halted routines, I turned to online streaming concerts—virtual busking that kept the fire alive. I began crafting music, videos, and podcasts for others, and in this creative resurgence, my fanciful dream transformed into the pulse that sustained our daily bread.

Now, as I edge closer to finishing my program and perform at least once a week, I realize that my journey was never just about making music—it was about survival, about feeding a soul starved for beauty and truth. Every strum of my guitar, every lyric sung, is a defiant act of creation, a promise to never let the light of inspiration fade.

I always tell my students: follow your passion. In a world that often demands compromise, let your art be the wild, unyielding current that carries you home. For me, music isn’t a hobby—it is the very air I breathe, the eternal echo of a call that began on those long, sun-drenched car rides in Carlsbad.

Matthew, 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 a musician, writer, and audio producer from Carlsbad, California—a storyteller who believes that music and words have the power to connect us in a chaotic world. I reinvent classic covers with my own unique spin and write original songs that blend the analog warmth of cassette tapes, tube pre-amps, and acoustic guitars with modern and postmodern production. My live performances aren’t just shows; they’re invitations to feel deeply and move—reminding us that music is meant to be experienced, not just scrolled through in 15-second clips.

Behind the scenes, I specialize in audio production, editing, and mixing, and I extend my creative vision into video work and social media management, helping clients and collaborators share their stories with honesty, clarity, and heart. As a writer, I’ve tackled everything from long-form coffee table books to digital copy, print journalism, prose, poetry, and short stories—always driven by an endless curiosity, a devotion to quality, and a genuine passion for human connection. I’m a stickler for accuracy and welcome honest, constructive feedback as part of my constant evolution.

I’m especially proud of my debut single, “Idiot Box,” a raw, timely reflection on the digital age born from the turbulence of the pandemic and events like January 6th. It’s a piece that captures both the dissonance of our current reality and a glimmer of hope for what lies beyond the noise. Influenced by a diverse range of musical icons and literary giants—from the timeless sounds of The Beatles and Led Zeppelin to the profound words of Walt Whitman, Sylvia Plath, and T.S. Eliot—I strive to create work that is as lyrically deep as it is musically engaging.

At my core, I’m all about celebrating the journey of discovery—of self, of others, and of the world beyond our screens. My mission is to help people not only hear but truly feel, reconnect, and rise up together through the power of authentic storytelling and sound.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that pursuing music or the arts is somehow irresponsible. The truth is, a creative career is just as legitimate as any other business—it demands skill, strategy, and discipline. Success in this space isn’t just about passion; it’s about mastering your craft, creating something of real value, and finding the people who are hungry for it.

It takes work. It takes dedication. It takes being smart—keeping expenses low, not spending what you don’t have, and wearing a lot of hats. That’s one of the biggest hurdles: you’re not just an artist; you’re also your own marketer, manager, and advocate. You have to learn how to talk about yourself, sell your work, and connect with others—not in a manipulative way, but with honesty and transparency. It’s not just art; it’s a discipline. And like any worthwhile pursuit, it’s absolutely achievable.

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

The most rewarding part of being an artist is the connection—both with other creatives and with the world itself. It’s stepping into life with exposed nerves, absorbing all the light and dark, joy and frustration, and distilling it into something real, something beautiful. It’s liberation—not just for myself, but for anyone who might need that same revelation. And then, the magic happens: seeing someone connect with something that once only existed in your mind, something you breathed into being. That’s everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mattgosemusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonterremusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonTerreMusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDeasQLTGlr3O1OxwjB98Gw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sonterremusic

  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/son-terre/1624589495

  https://sonterre.bandcamp.com/