Pop Band Hiatus: A brief overview of my time as an almost pop star

Shortly after creating Steely Nash, I auditioned for a pop band in LA that was to be managed by Johnny Wright: superstar manager of NKOTB, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Britney, Pussy Cat Dolls, and Jonas Brothers. I was called back (!) and soon I was involved in a massive online competition sponsored by AT&T. Each week the contestants completed challenges in order to make the band. Cambio.com hooked us up with flip cams and AT&T phones and asked that we film ourselves during the entire process. This included filming our home towns, creating music videos and writing original songs. Grueling? Yes. Life changing? Hell yes. Fun? THE MOST FUN.

Here are some behind the scenes clips from one of my favorite challenges where we were asked to shoot our future Rolling Stone cover.

Long story short, I MADE THE BAND. So did 5 other amazing people (4 boys + 2 girls --> Y6) Check out this clip from ABC's Nightline. I'm the one in the disco pants with the crazy pinkish reddish whatever hair.

The six of us were then signed to a management deal and for 2 years we did our best to break out with Johnny by our side (see video above) With his connections, we worked with some incredible vocal coaches, producers and writers. There was even talk of us opening for Boyz II Men or Demi Lovato. Ultimately, though, our material wasn't of interest to the major labels that we were being pitched to. In the summer of 2013, (after so much excitement, time and commitment!!!) Y6 disbanded.

So, skip this part if you aren't sentimental because the cheese starts flowing near the end of this paragraph. During my time with Y6, I learned more than I could ever aptly communicate. For starters, I stepped into a professional recording studio for the first time EVER. It just so happened to be Jim Hensen Studios in LA. We recorded our first song in the same room that "We Are the World" was recorded (!) so that means I could have used the same mic as Dionne Warwick or Dianna Ross (okkklllrrr!) Also, while under development, the 6 of us stayed at "the compound" -aka- the same giant mansion that every 90's pop prodigy once rested their pretty unknown heads. (I once looked in my closet and found a box labeled "Christina Aguilera" and flipped the freak out). Most importantly, the things I learned about myself throughout the entire process and the relationships I fostered with the other singers were easily the best take aways from it all. Being thrown into the industry while having the support of fellow bandmates who were also caught up in the same whirlwind, was the best possible way to be introduced to the crazy world I so longed to be a part of. (If any former Y6 members are reading this, please know that YOU CHANGED MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER and I love you and that's the gospel truth).

xoxoxox

http://www.cambio.com/2011/12/16/y6-christmas-song-immanuel/

As the storm calmed, there were many emotions to navigate and, in all honesty, I had to hide away and heal. Rejection still feels like rejection even if you agree that the material did not best represent you..

Now here's the part where I tell you that "in the end it was all worth it and I am SO much better and smarter and please check out my new project..." But it's really not like that. It's more like I gave it my all, it was strange and wonderful and now I have like a terrible cramp in my side after a long run (having decided that I can totally run 5 miles even though I have not ran in months)... that cramp is MUSIC and it will forever poke at me. Ok ouch music, dang! I'm on it!!!

STEELY NASH is where I stash my most original ideas and I cannot wait to share them with you if you're down to listen. And unlike previous posts that promise demos and such, just do me a favor and tune into my social medias to see what happens next.

xoxoxoxox

I LOVE YOU Y6

Matt

Ben

Phil

KA

James

Jess

Johnny

Also a HUGE shout out to my friends and family for moving mountains. 

xo