Hello. My name is Matt and I've written and published music over my lifetime in various projects and genres. In recent times, I've published a short EP under "algorithms" and in the words of listeners, it reflected "deep empathy," "a depth of originality and unpredictability," and "a blend of the now and a harkening back to the sounds of the 90's and early 2000's."

Here's why we're here: When a great amount of my friends and close community began to express uncertainty, fear, and deep emotions about the state of the rapidly changing world in 2024, I found myself seeking music that would describe the emotional state of things but found few options that really worked. Options I did find erred on the side of "give peace a chance!" or "full on chaos" and neither approach described how I felt in this climate (and several other people also described similar thoughts and feelings). In response, I have felt challenged to fill this musical vacuum and create a musical voice that exists between these two worlds- proclaiming thoughts like these:

-"The world of today doesn't feel right. I'm not going to accept things as they are but I'm also not going to right wrongs with more wrongs. I'm going to stand for what is right."

-"Hate begets hate. Love begets love. What you seek in the world, you'll find (even in confusing days like today). I will choose to be what I want people to find. I will choose to be goodness."

-"More division isn't the answer. We don't need more division, separation, isolation. That's what has gotten us here in the first place. We need to embrace our common good once again and to learn to become whole again somehow."

-"More wars can't be an answer. More death can't be the answer. We need to seek understanding, empathy, solutions. A person's value isn't determined by where they live and everyone deserves to be treated as a human being, even when they have qualities thta are disagreeable."

This 4 song EP, "There's a Better World Ahead," attempts to take that message, and juxtapose it with intense, fast punk music that brings it to light without watering down the sense of immediacy of these statements to communicate. Some key lyrics used in these songs:

"Not everything's a race - not everything's a war. When we choose to love - we have what we long for." - Tear Down Your Walls - Track 1

"You want silence, I’ll bring my sound. You want my compliance, I’ll stand my ground. I am the spark you can't contain. See it written across my face." -Persist, Persevere, Prevail - Track 2

As of March 2026, the music has been recorded. Here's where I need your help. The gofundme will basically cover the costs to produce the record at this point. I've already been in touch with producer/musician Jay Maas and have received quotes on mastering and mixing this record. Jay has produced over 700 records and has a sterling reputation in production along with performing in bands like Defeater and Love Letter, two of my all-time favorites. At this point it is a matter of raising capital and booking his time. I've essentially taken care of most everything else and collectively put in hundreds of hours of time writing, recording, etc... to make this all happen. If the full goal isn't met, these songs will still somehow see the light of day, but my faith in these songs is obviously a lot and I want to ensure that they are given the gravity and refinement that they deserve. Jay has a well-earned reputation for maximizing recordings to become something extra special and I'd be honored to partner with him on cultivating these songs to do just that and to fulfill one of my bucketlist goals here.

If you would be willing to partner with me on this journey, it would mean a lot. This is the first time I've invested this amount of heart and TLC into a record but I believe that this record's music and message could make a difference in this global moment to the hearts and minds of so many individuals right now - across parties, genders, ages, cultures - and your donation can help make that a reality. If you're a person who feels right now that things are a bit upside down and the world needs some love and synergy, please consider giving anything to my cause. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.