Since leaving Sanctus Real several years ago, Matt Hammitt has kept himself in the Christian music spotlight with a number of musical projects, as well as a book, advocacy work, and the touching story surrounding his son, Bowen. Matt's new album, Treetop, seeks to be a "coming of age" of sorts for middle-aged dads, looking back on the past with nostalgia, as well as an awareness of the road that led him to where he is.
Matt's brand of pop/rock is on full display on Treetop and you can read our review here. Matt took some time to talk about each of the ten tracks on the new album below.
"Treetop"
Through music and words, Treetop paints the portrait of childhood wonder lost and rediscovered. It's about trying and failing to fly alone because you were never alone to begin with.
"Average"
I wrote "Average" as a freedom song. So much of American life is about being the one in million, a star that rises above the rest. But if that's what makes us valuable, what if we never become rich or famous? It's about embracing our value as children of God, even if the world thinks we're average.
"Blank Page"
"Blank Page" is about reminiscing and looking back on your youth before you knew the pain of broken hearts and dreams.
"Try"
I wrote the song "Try" during a time when I was asking God a lot of those big "why" questions, and I didn't like the answers. I used to fear that acknowledging those complicated feelings or questions, especially when it came to my faith, would make me a spiritually weak person. I've been learning not to be afraid of bringing my hard questions to God, or people that I trust. If our faith is true, those raw and honest conversations shouldn't weaken our faith, but make it stronger in the end.
I hope that when people hear "Try," it provides a moment of release for those who are carrying the burden of doubt or complicated emotions about life and faith. I pray it leads them into an experience with Jesus where, even if they don't get the answers they wanted, they find rest through an honest encounter with him.
"Shell"
"Shell" may be the most vulnerable track on Treetop. I went through a season of time where I was taking anti-anxiety medication to make me numb. I knew there were important parts of my inner life that I needed to access as an artist and writer, but it felt good not to feel so much for a while.
Eventually, I knew the right thing for me was to taper off my medication and face what was under those ragtag bandages I had wrapped around my heart. Problem was, tapering off meds felt less like unwrapping a bandage and more like breaking a dam. I wasn't ready for the flood. I believed that God was with me when I felt like drowning, but I struggled to feel his presence there.
I wrote "Shell" at the start of that journey, and you can feel what I poured into it if you close your eyes and go there with me. I'm thankful to be on the other side of that very painful process. I also know that life itself is a process, and seasons of great pain will come again. I hope "Shell" can be a soundtrack to someone who needs it right now.
"Don't Break The Mirror"
Though it appears to be a song questioning someone else's love, "Don't Break the Mirror" is actually about looking in the mirror and calling my own heart into question. Do I really love God and others with my actions, or is it just lip service?
"Highlights"
My collaboration with my friend Richie Nobrega Jr. is a creative stand out on this record for me. His guitar composition captured me from the moment I heard it. The lyrics are written to highlight the beauty of the moments of our lives that may seem unsightly or mundane.
"You Can't Stop Me"
I wrote this song about the fragility of the human heart. It's about choosing to love and be loved, despite the pain it brings. Ultimately, it's a nod to living as God loves us, with abandon.
It was an honor to feature my friend, Fleurie, on this track. She's a brilliant artist and her vocals put this track over the top.
"Where Did That Dreamer Go"
This is more of an interlude. This feels like the wind on the embers of a dream, ready to reignite.
"Great Big World"
There is a lot of lament and reflection on Treetop, but I wanted to end the album with a song that made people want to get up go after their dreams again. It's a call to look at God's creation with wonder and celebrate the chance to explore it.
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