As promised, here’s the second of Kei’s interviews, this time with our man Jones:

Matthew: tell us about yourself, where you come from, how you got started in music? Let some of the folks know who you are.

Matthew: Well we’re here at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA. I’m from Atlanta, well mostly from Atlanta. I grew up in Philadelphia then moved to Atlanta. Most of my growing up years were spent here. Actually the early part of my performing life was here at Eddie’s Attic, so it’s a great place to be back.

This place has sentimental value then, kinda nostalgic.

Matthew: Yeah absolutely, which is great, so yeah Atlanta is kinda mostly where I grew up and cut my teeth performing and really got into music. Again, mostly here at Eddie’s.

What are some things God’s teaching you these days?

Matthew: That’s a good question. That’s good. I would say more than anything right now, um we were just in Knoxville, I was with a good friend of mine Pete Stone, who I actually met here in Atlanta, anyway we were talking about that very thing. I would say at this point in time my biggest thing is learning to let go. Being able to trust, and surrender. That sounds very general, but its such a simple truth that is so profoundly difficult. I think it’s probably a life long struggle, or at least the process maybe. Specifically, recently I feel sort of overwhelmed with this decision to go back and do music full time. It seems to have overwhelmed me in terms of what do I do, how am I gonna provide for my wife, all these questions. God’s teaching me to rest in Him, especially in terms of identity, not depending on people’s opinions, the good, bad, and ugly. It’s just learning to know who I am and be ok with that. Being a child of God, that’s my identity.

Speaking of music, you’ve recently been involved with the Square Peg Alliance. Can you describe what that is?

Matthew: [chuckles] Ah no. I have no idea.

That’s what everybody else says.

Matthew: It’s a mystery to me. I know the premise behind it. It’s a group of friends, some closer than others in relationship, but all related to each other some how and some point in history. We’ve worked on each others’ records or played shows with each other or just live in the same neighborhood. A lot of us have known each other for years, but it’s basically friends who wanted to make an imprint or band that says, here is a community of folks that exist and do music and help promote each other.

How is that support?

Matthew: I would say more than anything, I love the fact that we wrote bios for each other, which really speaks of the fact that we know and care about each other. The bottom line is that in terms of music, we see it as an outflow of life and community together. Cause its been going on for years, but not many folks knew about us. It kinda brings that to the forefront to say here is a group of people who really believe in each other and want to push each other and make sure the person next to you is doing well in terms of advancing in their craft and in their career.

Basically a network of friends promoting each other not for personal gain.

Matthew: Yeah … taking care of each other, but basically encouraging each other to keep doing what we’re doing. If you keep on in sort of the industry standard you can get discouraged, but if you listened to your friends, it’s a different thing. There is more steam to go ahead.

Thanks for the input, Matthew.

Matthew: Yeah, thanks. We’ll talk later.