Mr. Grizzly and the Big Nothings: an interview with Matt Azrieli

Matthew Azrieli is a sixteen-year-old boy who hails from the bustling Hampstead area. He is unlike other boys an all around super achiever by day and a rock star musician at all hours.  I have followed his music career seeing him perform through out the city at numerous venues and in several competitions.  He placed second in the Teen Singer Songwriter Competition. He later went on to the final round of a Battle of the Bands with his band-mates. He has a solid fan base that attends every performance without fail, bringing handmade posters and an eager voice that is prepared to belt out the lyrics to songs of his such as Independence Day and Choke.

He has a unique style that is reminiscent of the sixties folk era. He spins lyrics that are starry-eyed, romantic, heavy-hearted, calming and sincere. Although, he may be referred to as Mr. Grizzly, he cannot fool us. Matthew's strong grizzly voice is tainted by the kindness of his heart. His lyrics and voice are sure to amaze you and scare away skeptical opinions regarding the music created by this generation. Do not miss Mr. Grizzly and the Big Nothing, we are sure to be hearing their name in the years to come!

Check out his youtube videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve3m84AujeI

How old were you when you wrote your first song? What was it about?

I was 12 years old and I wrote this song about Montreal called Sunset over Montréal.  I had previously half-heartedly put myself into other songs but this was the first song I ever truly wrote. I wrote it in one sitting and it was a pretty simple song. I combined 12 chord progressions from various songs to create my own.

What inspired you to pick up a pen and write your own music?

At first, it was just something to do. Later on, I heard Elliott Smith's song Rose Parade that song inspired me to write songs in a similar vain. I wanted to inspire and touch others with my music like that song did to me.

Describe your music in three words.

When asked this question the first time Matthew replied with a devilish grin, "Piñata, Chair, Telescope."  He tried to compose his face before answering a second time, "Sincerely yours, Matthew."

Can you describe your songwriting process?

It depends on the song. My best songs do not derive from any other musician's songs. This was not the case when I was starting out, like my first song. The ones that come from original sources and experiences of my own is how I want to write music. I have a few different ways of working. For example, my song Willow Tree, I wrote all the words and than put a melody and guitar part to it.  My song Sweet Dreams, I created it piece-by-piece. I combined older stuff I have written with new. Sometimes I start with the music and than add the lyrics while playing. The latter process is how I wrote the song Choke.

Mila Kunis or Ashton Kutcher go face to face in a battle of the bands. Who would be a better musician?

Mila Kunis would be a better musician due to her character. That is definitely just because Kelso is such an idiot. Kelso also embodies a Jock stereotype, which I am completely uncomfortable with being somewhat a nerd.

If you could meet anyone on tour who would it be?

I would want to meet someone who is deeply and profoundly effected by my music and wants to write music because of mine. Or someone who just really dug my music.

What dream band would open for you?

I would rather open for the bands than have them open for me. I don't think I am necessarily good enough to have them open for me.  I would like to open for Elliott Smith or Iron and Wine but probably Iron and Wine because they are very much still alive.

Robot or Moonwalk?

Robot. I can't do the moonwalk.

Kung Foo or Yoga?

Yoga is more relaxing but on the other hand you can kill people with Kung Foo. I guess yoga but I will get back to you on that one.

Would you rather die getting hit by a shooting star or a unicorn horn to the heart?

Unicorn horn to the heart because that is totally badass.

Werewolf or Vampire?

Jacob because he is hotter.

What movie would you be in Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter and which character?

I would be Smeagol (Gollum) from Lord of the Rings, hands down, because I always seek the precious.

Lightning or rainbow?

Rainbow. Wait, I want to be both.

Last song played or added to your Ipod?

Lat song played Christian Hansen & The Autistics and The Cocaine Trade.

What new songs/bands/type of music have you been listening to lately?

Fast Car by Tracy Chapman

Empty your pockets.

Wallet. That's it. I have a note in there that you wrote me. I have  a Venice waterbus card, receipts that I will never ever use, my permit.

What would be more likely to appear on your permanent record:

A)   Breaking an entering at Sea World to rescue dolphins

B)   Paintballing in a Public Park

C)   Steal from the rich and give to the poor

If I chose A It would be a logistical nightmare to rescue all the dolphins. If I choose B I will just look like an asshole. I think everyone in the sphere of my school is rich so would I steal from people I know? I think the most likely to occur on my permanent record is B.

What is your happy song?

Say Yes by Elliott Smith.

What is your favorite song that you have written?

I don't have a favorite.  My songs are like my children therefore it would not be fair to choose one over the other.

Do you have a muse that inspires your songwriting/music?

Yes, depends on the song. Lately, yes all my songs have been inspired by one person. When you feel something for someone you are governed by those emotions and they translate into your songs.  For a while, I was inspired by music, from myself and the things I observed around me. In the past, I was madly in love with someone who did not return my love and those songs were sad.

People say you sound like...

Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, James Blunt, Jack Johnson, Damian Rice, and even Elliott Smith.

If a label were to pick you up, which one would you dream of signing under?

I don't particularly care about a label. Just a record that would allow me to do my own thing. That recognizes that I will not produce music just to be popular, but rather for myself or somebody special.

Tell me the story of your band name, Mr. Grizzly and the Big Nothing.

I was with another set of three guys before I got with my current band. I have this deep, gruffy kind of voice, so they called me grizzly bear. I became Mr. Grizzly and the Ballad of Big Nothing is an Elliott Smith song.

Who would you rather be roommates with Marilyn Monroe or Marilyn Manson?

Marilyn Monroe. It would be awesome but only if she were alive.

Be the Rolling Stones or The Beatles?

The Beatles.

Which song annoys you most:

A) Like a G6

B) Party Rock Anthem

C) Teach me how to Duggy

None of those songs annoy me but what does is Friday by Rebecca Black. If you want to write a song the industry thinks you have to make an obvious hook. I think the majority of people don't enjoy the repetativeness of it, or 12-year-old hyperactive kids.

You seem to be a big Elliott the smith fan. Why is that?

I listened to him when I was a malleable young adolescent and his music effected my development.  It got me through some rough times. I also, feel that way about Nick Drake, particularly his album Pink Moon.

How do you like this interview on a scale of 1-10?

100%.

What instrument would you explore in your band?

I would explore the pluck string instruments like the banjo.

What's the story behind your first guitar?

My first guitar was actually my mom's. I used it a lot and one day my brother sat on it. My mom blamed the giant crack in the guitar on me. I had to learn how to make beautiful music despite the crack.

What is your dynamic with your band mates?

We just recently formed a band together a couple months together. The bassist, Sol, is my little brother. He is a great instrumentalist and even has perfect pitch. The nice thing about working with him is that he knows my music very well and complements it with great harmonies.

The Drummer is an old childhood friend.

The Keyboardist, Jesse, is a friend from camp. He is currently in another band with the drummer called Sam I Am. The two of them are very talented instrumentalists as well.

If you could revive one famous dead person for a day who would it be?

It would be Leonardo Da Vinci because he was a genius.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?

In 5 years: University.

In 10 years: writing lots of music with or without a label.

In 20 years: I hope to have a lot of good songs circulating, a stable fan base, to be successful enough that I can generate income. I would like to have changed and contributed to the music world for the better. Furthermore, I would like to be happy.