Q&A: Matty Reynolds on “Timbuktu,” Long-Distance Love and His Forthcoming EP
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
FOR NEW YORK-BASED SINGER-SONGWRITER AND TIK TOK SENSATION MATTY REYNOLDS, songwriting isn’t just about crafting catchy melodies - it’s about capturing raw, unfiltered emotion in real time. His latest single, “Timbuktu”, is a testament to that process. Written in a flash of inspiration during a long drive to see his long-distance girlfriend, the track came together effortlessly, reflecting the push-and-pull of distance, devotion, and the unwavering pull of love.
“Timbuktu” marks the first glimpse into Reynolds’ upcoming debut EP, Somebody Like Me, a project that leans into his signature blend of pop, folk rock, and Americana, with themes of longing, hope, and the joy of making love work despite the miles in between. Collaborating with Jackson Hoffman and Andy Tongren (Young Rising Sons), Reynolds has crafted an optimistic, anthemic collection that showcases his evolution as both a songwriter and storyteller.
Ahead of the EP’s release this summer, Reynolds shares the inspiration behind “Timbuktu”, how long-distance relationships have shaped his music, and why he’s trading sad love songs for something brighter.
LUNA: "Timbuktu" was written in the "heat of your emotions" during a drive. Can you describe that moment and how it felt to have the song come to you so naturally?
REYNOLDS: I had just been on the phone with my girlfriend and she said the phrase “distance makes a heart grow fonder” and I immediately heard the melody in my head. I told her I had to go! Then within the next 5 minutes the verse was written. Nothing beats that feeling of having authentic and memorable lyrics come to you so quickly. My best writing always happens this way, and it’s both exhilarating and rewarding
LUNA: How does “Timbuktu” set the tone for the rest of the EP?
REYNOLDS: “Timbuktu” best expresses the theme of the entire EP: my energetic and optimistic feelings about life and love. It’s the perfect way for me to share the beginning of this new era for me and the entire track list encompasses this optimistic energy.
LUNA: The EP centers around your long-distance relationship and the struggles and joys that come with it. How did you approach translating such personal experiences into your music?
REYNOLDS: At first I’m always timid to get into detail when writing with other people. I sometimes fear that if a good song doesn’t come out of it, then I left my feelings on the table with nothing to show for it. However, the entire EP has taken this worry off the table because they’re both authentic and well written. Everyone who has worked on the songs has helped me turn my feelings into cohesive songs and slowly but surely started to erase this fear I had of being too personal. The authenticity of the songs make the energy of them that much more real
LUNA: You've collaborated with Jackson Hoffman and Andy Tongren on the EP. What was that collaborative process like, and how did they contribute to the sound of "Timbuktu" and the EP as a whole?
REYNOLDS: Jackson and Andy have been awesome, and Tor Miller also cowrote 3 of the songs on the EP. As I mentioned, they all do an incredible job of helping me turn my jumble of thoughts and worries about my personal life into the optimistic anthems that I love to write. Whether I have a song started or not, they have a knack for knowing what direction to take the song in that’s unmatched
LUNA: From singing Ting Tings songs on your bed to becoming a TikTok influencer and songwriter, your journey has been quite diverse. How has your early musical exposure shaped your current sound?
REYNOLDS: I’ve never been a person who is fully tied down to one genre or artist or albums. I think my music taste and listening style is very unorthodox for an artist but I think it helps in a special way. I go from listening to pop to EDM to rap to Americana in a 4 song span and I love those songs equally. I love making music that sounds good to me regardless of who my inspirations and current playlists sound like.
LUNA: You mention initially writing sad love songs and then shifting to more upbeat, hopeful tunes. What prompted this change in your songwriting?
REYNOLDS: I found that writing sad songs put me in a sad headspace and it was unproductive to keep myself there. The more upbeat I write, the more creative I feel and my motivation certainly spikes
LUNA: TikTok played a significant role in launching your career. How has social media impacted your creative process and your connection with your audience?
REYNOLDS: Sometimes the impact is negative, other times it’s positive. I find myself writing a lot more when I’m seeing success on social media and when I don’t see that tangible result I get less motivated. It can be very frustrating when you put so much effort into writing something and it gets a fraction of the “approval” from socials as a song that you didn’t put much thought into.
LUNA: Your music blends pop with folk rock and Americana. What artists or genres have been most influential in shaping this unique blend?
REYNOLDS: As I mentioned I think it’s just the culmination of my constantly changing taste. Some artists projects I’ve been especially listening to recently are Role Model, Cage the Elephant, Ethan Tasch, Post Malone, Noah Kahan (of course), and Rainbow Kitten Surprise
LUNA: What do you hope listeners take away from the EP?
REYNOLDS: I don’t have something that I hope listeners take from the EP. My favorite thing about writing is that I’m mostly leaving it up to the listener to decide what it means. For “Timbuktu”, if it’s about your mom or friend or dog or favorite food, great. I don’t care what the listeners feel, just FEEL!
