Interview: Vertical Horizon
August 6, 2024
“I'm lucky that there are people who still want to talk about this record. I don't know how it happened, but it did and it's definitely something to celebrate,” he says. Vertical Horizon Frontman and main songwriter Matt ScannellWhat he is referring to is Everything you wantVertical Horizon's 1999 album was the catalyst for his band's worldwide fame, with the title track reaching number one in the US and Canada, charting on over a dozen international music charts. The album also features the hits “The Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)” and “You're a God.” Now, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its release, Vertical Horizon has produced a new version on orange vinyl, available for purchase on their website at verticalhorizon.com. The band has also toured extensively in North America, Gin Blossom and Wet Gear Toad – Shows throughout August (full dates listed below).
When you were making this album, did you feel like it was destined to be such a successful, lasting album?
mat ScannellNo, I don't think so. I think we knew we made the best record we could make at the time, and we were all confident in what we made. I had really worked hard to become a better songwriter, and I felt like I'd made a lot of progress in that respect. So we knew we were doing our best. But anything can happen. In the major label system, it's down to luck, and sometimes you're the person of the month for a certain period of time, and then obviously you're not, or their attention goes elsewhere. We've been through that after the breakup of a major label. Everything you want Record. However, Everything you want We really benefited from having an amazing team of people working on the record who all tried their hardest to take every opportunity that came our way, but by the time we finished recording the record, all we knew was that we really loved the album and were very proud of it.
When this album came out, many people assumed it was your debut album, even though you had already released two albums yourself…
mat Scannell: Well, it was an interesting time. We formed the band in 1991 and finally in 1998 RCA recordIt was seven years of struggling in little bars and clubs in the backstreets of America. I knew I was reaching my breaking point. Maybe this wasn't going to work and I needed to come up with some kind of Plan B. And it was around that time that we got a publishing deal. Maverick Musicand around the same time RCA They stepped up and signed us to their label. That whole team was behind us. It was kind of a miracle that it happened. But for the same reason, it's not surprising that we ended up where we were. And then you either give it your all before you retire, or you give up and go home. We were obviously the former. We were going to go out in a blaze of glory. We knew that if it didn't work out, there was nothing else for us to do. And Everything you want That was the result.
How did you feel when the album suddenly became popular all over the world?
mat Scannell: I was just happy. There were a lot of different emotions. On the one hand, I think there was an element of, “Look, I told you guys, we really think we can do this!” Of course, that doesn't mean anything in the world. Whether you think you can do something has no bearing on whether you can actually do it. So, even while we were high-fiving each other, we were just stunned to see how things were going. I don't know if that's still the case, but this song is on the record as the song that took the longest time to reach No. 1. Billboard“Hot 100” [chart] From release to taking the top spot. And that was a dubious honor, right? We just kept going. The little engine did it.
Why do you think your music has connected so strongly with your fans?
mat Scannell: Maybe it's a dilemma. When I'm writing a song, I don't think about the world outside the room I'm writing in. It's all inside of me. When I'm writing a song, I'm effectively trying to repair the broken parts of myself. And I have a lot of broken parts. So I just dive in and try to better myself, song by song. So I don't really know why songs that come from such a small, personal space, such an introverted space, jump out and resonate with other people. I mean, in a way, it's a commentary on the human condition. Maybe we're all sharing similar experiences, even though we're in totally different situations as humans.
You have a big tour coming up now with Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket, what can people expect?
mat Scannell: I'm very happy that they invited us to do this tour. We've toured with Gin Blossoms many times in the past. This is the first time with Toad the Wet Sprocket, but everyone I know who knows them loves them. So I think it's going to be a really good group, like a family. I also think that when you get to a certain point in your career, everyone becomes a little more confident in their life and realizes that they're blessed. So there's less intense competition between bands and stuff like that. You just go on stage and do your job and have fun. And I hope that the audience who is enjoying themselves feels that we're grateful to be given such great opportunities on an ongoing basis.
How do you feel about the legacy you’ve created throughout your career?
mat ScannellI'm proud of our work. I believe it's good. But more than good, I believe it's real. I believe it's true. I wouldn't change a thing. After 25 years, we still have records out there that people want to celebrate. We're consistent. We're doing a ton of shows every year, not just for our 25th anniversary, and we're living a great life. It's Everything you wantBut it's also thanks to our fans and friends who always support us, buy our records, tickets to our shows, t-shirts, etc. They fuel the truck and help us get to the next destination on this amazing journey. I've always been aware that a career in the music industry is not something I'm entitled to. It's a gift, a privilege, and it's somehow been given to me for a long time. So we need to always be grateful and thankful to the people who got us here. And that's what our fans are. The people who carry us on their shoulders and support us, and actually, it's a very humbling experience.
Vertical Horizon, Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket tour dates:
8/1 – Oshkosh, WI – Reach Amphitheater/Waterfest Concert Series
8/2 – La Vista, Nebraska – The Astro
8/3 – Mankato, MN – Betterstone Amphitheater
8/5 – Grand Rapids, Michigan – Meyer Gardens
8/7 – Cleveland Heights, OH – Cain Park Evans Amphitheatre
8/9 – Arcadia, WI – Ashley For The Arts (Vertical Horizon only)
8/10 – Reynoldsburg, OH – Tomato Festival (Vertical Horizon only)
8/11 – Lewiston, NY – Art Park Outdoor Amphitheater
8/13 – Medford, Massachusetts – Chevalier Theatre
8/15 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Events Center
8/16 – Cary, NC – Coca Booth Amphitheatre
8/17 – Sugar Hill, GA – The Bowl at Sugar Hill
8/18 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at the Heights
8/20 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Center for the Arts
8/22 – Sellville, Delaware – Freeman Arts Pavilion
8/23 – Middlefield, CT – Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort
8/24 – Essex Junction, VT – Champlain Valley Fair