Interview: Matt Brandyberry of From Ashes to New – Spotlight Report

Only weeks from making the trip to Australia for the first time, FROM ASHES TO NEW cannot be more excited for the GOOD THINGS coming their way. Speaking with SPOTLIGHT REPORT, founder and frontman Matt Brandyberry shared his love for their Australian fanbase, his hopes for the band’s festival and headline appearances, and his passion for music.

SR: Good morning Matt, or should I say good evening? I’m not so organised with my own time, let alone aware of those across the international dateline.

MB: I feel that, I don’t even know what day it is half the time – my wife actually had to remind me that it is, indeed, Friday.

SR: I just had a heart palpitation there; it’s Saturday morning in Adelaide, in yet another timezone, so I had to check myself. Australia’s an interesting place, that’s for sure!

MB: So I’ve heard, I can’t wait!

SR: Serendipitous that we were able to chat today; I’ll be starting my summer festival season, heading to Adelaide’s Froth & Fury Fest. Not quite of the same stature as GOOD THINGS, of course, Australia is so excited to finally have FROM ASHES TO NEW visit.

MB: Hell yeah, I’m looking forward to it already!

SR: Highly anticipated, you guys have chosen one hell of an Australian debut, headlining shows in Melbourne and Sydney that bookend the three eastern states’ festivals. How did it come to pass that FATN made it on the 2024 lineup; were you aware of GOOD THINGS, or were you offered a golden opportunity?

MB: It was the second part of what you just said, a golden opportunity. We had no plans, but together our new agents and management knew someone and they came to us to ask, “Hey, do you wanna go to Australia?”

We’ve always wanted to come but haven’t had the opportunity. I’ve heard it’s not the easiest thing in the world to get there; you kind of have to know a band who’s touring, that can draw big crowds, or get on some festivals. The chance to now be part of three different festivals, in three different, well-known cities, and then to be asked if we want to do sideshows is wild.

I thought, “Do people want to see us? If they do then we’ll be there!” Obviously, we knew we had a fanbase but the Australian response has been great. Ticket sales is typically your biggest indicator, and the sideshows are selling really well. I’m sure both Melbourne and Sydney will sell out before we even get down there, the commentary on GOOD THINGS social media (which I do read a lot of) has been really positive. It seems our fanbase have been waiting for us.

SR: The festival headliner is, of course, the legendary KORN. Sharing some commonalities musically, FROM ASHES TO NEW are kindred spirits in another regard – your challenging beginnings. You’ve said yourself, growing up where you did “felt hopeless” but you “knew (you) were capable of doing bigger & better things”. Why do you think it is that so many musicians share this origin story, and are so able to translate this energy into something extraordinary?

MB: Well, it’s passion, right? I think that there’s a depth of emotion and authenticity in what we do. That doesn’t only come through in our recorded music, it comes out tenfold in the live stage performance.

When you listen to a recording you can feel the music, but when you see it live, especially for me, I’m putting everything I have into the performance. I feel like sometimes my spirit is pouring out of my mouth and onto the stage. I think, as humans, we feel with a sense other than that which we use in the everyday.

As you were saying, coming from those beginnings growing up in the middle of nowhere, you could either fall in line, get a job, doing that until you retired or died, or aim higher.  When I said I wanted to be a musician, people that I played for and with said that was a hopeless endeavour; it wasn’t considered realistic that I could get to do that professionally.

I’m the sort of person that takes things to heart but I don’t get emotional in the sense that I react. I harness it and use that energy to create something special, to prove those people wrong. That has been a driving factor my whole life – to be the one who makes that call and decides who I am myself.

Now I’ve got the opportunity to do that, and I’m grateful for it. That’s why I share it with everyone – to show that gratitude. 

SR: That’s a gorgeous way of putting it, thank you for so personally sharing that with us and your Australian audiences can’t wait to witness and repay your passion.

Of course, it’s not all about our GOOD THINGS day though. Playing alongside so many other amazing bands this December, when did you find out who else was appearing and who are FATN most excited to check out when out of performance mode?

MB: I’m really bad at all of this and typically don’t know who we’re playing with until I see the flyer. I know when you know, oftentimes after because I’m not too attentive to when things get sent to me, only looking when I know it’s time for me to post about it. I’m always like, “Oh, that’s who we’re playing with!” So, honestly, when I get asked that question the answer is, I really don’t know.

I, obviously, know the headliners and am maybe more familiar with the line with and above us, but off the top of my head ELECTRIC CALLBOY is something I’m really looking forward to. I haven’t had the opportunity to see them and I hear they’re great. The energy that they bring to the stage is always something I’m looking for in a performance.

Of course, KORN. I’ve seen them a bunch of times, toured with them including on festivals, and we have a big group of mutual friends, but the kid inside me always screams at the opportunity to be on the stage near them.

Many of the bands we’ve actually toured or done festivals with; we’ve been around and done our thing for so long that it’s not as often that we’ll see a lineup and be surprised, but ELECTRIC CALLBOY was for sure that feeling. I can’t wait to see them.

GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL LINE UP: