Interview with Matthew Holtby. New Single, Pretending, Out Now!

Tara Lakatos
Jan 14
2 min read

What inspired the creation of this single?

This song came out of a period of reflection and change. I had some serious re-prioritizing to do.

What story or message does the song convey?

At its core, the song is about connection — with yourself, with others, and with the things we sometimes avoid confronting. How we “Pretend” things are great when they’re really not.

Can you tell us about the creative process?

Like most of my songs, a vocal melody, then a note on my phone. Then the guitar part comes quickly and the song kind of wrote itself, like most of my stuff.

How does this song differ from your previous releases?

This one feels a little more Sci-Fi. We added some strange effects and textures to trip it out more than we normally do. I let Toots (Drummer, Co Producer) call the shots a lot more with this one. It’s also the first release working with an Indie Label. I’m thrilled to be part of Pacifirecords for this project.

What challenges did you face while writing or recording?

The biggest challenge was the balance of weird and pretty. Mixer / Producer Chad Skinner put up with a lot of my shit lol.

Did you experiment with any new instruments, techniques, or styles?

The lead guitar line is mistaken for a synth, and that means our guitar guts Ken Kucharic is doing his job better than ever. Once we heard that tone and that pedal, we kinda freaked out.

Is there a personal connection or story tied to the lyrics?

Definitely. I’ve been “Pretending” my whole life.

Have you performed it live yet, and what was the audience’s reaction?

We’ve played it a few times and get the same love on that lead guitar part that we felt the first time hearing it. It’s a fun one to play for sure.

Is this single part of a larger project, like an album or EP?

It’s the first of many singles coming this year.

Anything Else You'd Like Your Fans to Know.

An acoustic EP is coming this Spring. Lots of new music is on the way in 2026.