SPOTLIGHT.

MATTHEW HICKMAN (BROWNBEAR)

INTRODUCTION

Matt Hickman is a tour de force when it comes to raising the profile of BPoC Scottish creatives. His networking, drive and passion to give others a platform is widely known and respected.

Hailing from Ayrshire, Hickman is better known as brownbear.

The release of their debut single ‘Dead or Alive’ in 2014 saw the band gain radio play on Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio Scotland and playlisted on Radio X. They were then invited to support The Libertines at the Barrowlands reunion show before joining them at Alexandra Palace in London, Hyde Park BST & several European dates of the reunion tour. They also enjoyed a great festival run that year including T in the Park (BBC Introducing) , Blue Balls (Switzerland) & Belladrum (Main Stage) before heading into the studio to start work on their debut album ‘What is Home?’.

In the last few years the band has shared the stage with a plethora of big artists and brownbear’s self-released debut album ‘What is Home?’ was praised particularly amongst their growing fanbase leading to a headline tour that ended with a sold out show at the infamous King Tuts Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow.

More recently, Hickman has come into the spotlight for his composing for soundtrack and the start of producing his first short film Stop the World, having successfully been one of the awardees of GMAC Film’s Little Pictures development fund.

INTERVIEW

How and why did you come to make music? What initially inspired you?

Music has been a life long passion. For as long as I can remember I have been obsessed with music and with songs. My parents always had music on in the house, all genres, I think that has played a huge influence in my eclectic taste in music.

What themes do you tend to interrogate in your writing and music?

For me, my songs are very personal. They are always a commentary for where I am in life. Sometimes socially, sometimes personally. Sometimes it is about love. Sometimes it is about loss. It is always from the heart. As I said earlier, I grew up around all sorts of music. From Rock to Soul, from Blues to Pop and everything in between. I feel so lucky to have had such a varied musical background growing up. For as much of the rock riff based guitars you can hear in our music, I like to think the pop sensibilities have crossed over through the choruses and the soul influence has come with the heart, the stories and the melodies.

What would you like to see more of in the Scottish music scene?

I would love to see more community in the Scottish scene. It has certainly grown closer over the years but there is often still a sense of competition. We should all be in this together. We should be striving to export Scottish Music rather than dream of singing in London and importing it back up North. We have all of the talents and all of the tools, let’s use them to make Scotland one of the worlds most thriving music Industries. We need more labels, better infrastructure and most importantly, we need to dream bigger.

What advice would you have for creatives of colour looking to get involved in the creative industries?

Know yourself, know your history, know what you want and be proud of who you are each and every step of your creative journey. We deserve a place at the top table as much as any other artist. Our talent should be what shines through. Look to other artists of colour for support and advice and if you are an artist of colour who is doing well or ahead, be open to giving that advice and support to mobilise our communities. Ownership is everything in this world. Be sure to hold on to as many of your rights as you can and don’t be afraid to do it differently. This business needs new voices.

What are you currently working on?

I have just finished working on my first short film. It has been an incredible journey and one that had not even been on the cards prior to the lockdown. As an artist, I have always done it a little differently and with my music videos, we invested in narrative driven stories that led me to be commissioned to make a short film. I am also in the studio working on a second album and loving every minute of it. As creatives I think we strive to be constantly evolving and constantly creating, don’t put yourself in a box to suit other people. Be bold, be proud and remember that Black is Beautiful.

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Please note: Photo Credits - Murray McMillan