This mysterious duo are doing things differently on the music scene...

DTL caught up with Matty Carter + Ariel to get their unique perspective on music, mental health and all things creative.

DTL: Tell us a bit about the Matty Carter + Ariel project
MC: We are Matty Carter + Ariel. We write our own songs and put on one of the best performances you will ever experience… promise!

DTL: We can’t stop listening to your brand new single ‘Bad’ right now, and what makes it even better is that you’re generously donating some of the proceeds to Ditch the Label to help us fund crucial support (yay)! Can you tell us a bit more about the song, what is the back story?
MC: BAD is a song about confidence. When we were writing it I was feeling really low. I had a couple of bad breaks piling up and I was questioning everything about myself. It was a disgusting feeling so I wanted to write a song to take me out of that mindset. BAD is about realizing you have nowhere to go but up and owning it.

DTL: Matty, you’ve been open in the past about struggles with your mental health, why is it so important to create open conversations about mental health?
MC: Depression is something I’ve dealt with and continue to deal with every day. I think it’s important to have open conversations about it because our only purpose on this planet is to connect with one another. If I can help someone better understand themselves by telling my story and expressing myself. Or, if someone can look to me and say ‘oh man he’s just like me…I think that same way…’, it gives me a great purpose and a reason to push through the low times. I’ve always wanted to change the world for the better. I believe that there is a kid right now reading this interview who thinks his or her life isn’t worth shit. I’ve been there, I’ll be there again.

I want those people to know that we have been given this struggle for a greater purpose.

We are only given what we are meant to handle. Fight through the lows, take care of your body and your mind… and find the thing you were meant to create. You will leave your mark and it will all be worth it.

DTL: Ariel, you’re a female drummer and have opened up before about the stereotyping you have been faced with. What advice do you have for other females in the industry?
A: More often then not, when we arrive to load into a venue before a show, I am assumed to be someone’s girlfriend. I am usually the only one in our crew asked for ID, and I have to scramble to explain the validity behind why I am in the venue as security tries to push me out the door. It is frustrating… it is annoying. My advice to other females in the industry is to know your self-worth and change your perspective.

It is up to you to decide whether what someone says is valid.

I know this is hard, especially in the moment, but you have the choice to listen and take their words seriously. Or, just let them talk knowing you do not have to take their comments as truth.

DTL: Whats the main source of inspiration during your songwriting process?
MC: Every song starts with a basic emotion. Love, heartache, jealousy, confidence, insecurities… anything really. We don’t think too much when we write we just try to leave ourselves open to the universe and let the song write itself. It’s been working out so far.

DTL: Can you tell us a bit about the documentary you are making on Creating With Depression?
MC: Creating With Depression is a series that highlights the link between the depressed mind and art. Some of the most iconic artwork in history was created by extremely depressed minds. We are used to talking about all the negative that surrounds depression, and trust me there is plenty of that, but with this series, we wanted to highlight one of the positives that can come from depression. The depressed mind has the ability to create artwork that cuts right through our culture because there is a different drive and passion there. You see the world differently when you are at an extreme low or extreme high and it’s our responsibility to show the world our perspective. Artists with depression create because they HAVE to. There is an entire subculture of songwriters, filmmakers, painters, sculptors, architects, poets etc… where creating is do or die for them.

For myself, I’ve realized that the pursuit and creation of art is something I can never stop doing because if I do, my mind becomes a dangerous place.

That pursuit of trying to create the perfect song or visual that could potentially change the world is something that keeps me going through the low moments.

I think there are a lot of creative people in this world that feel that exact same way and that’s the story we are looking to tell with Creating With Depression. Do depressed minds have a creative edge? I think they do. I think certain people are given depression to create groundbreaking, life-changing pieces of art to remind people how connected we all really are. It’s our job.

DTL: In an alternate universe where you couldn’t be musicians, what would you both be doing instead?
MC: A universe without music?! I think we would be working on being the first two people to create music.

DTL: We work with people online to help them overcome bullying and related issues, whats your best advice for someone going through bullying right now?
MC: Use your voice in every way possible. You own your feelings, no one can make you feel small unless you allow them to.

DTL: What is the best way to counter negativity? (whether it comes from yourself or others?)
MC: With love and communication.