Matt Adler: Thank you so much for the kind words! When I write music, it is generally a good "time capsule" of my life season. I write about what I'm going through. As far as Stages, I was totally dumped last year. But I realized that at every phase of that failed relationship, I wrote a song! I had the idea of assembling those songs into a concept album of sorts. I knew so many people that were struggling with the same types of things. I thought maybe it could help them in some way, so I decided the album would be 100% free (it can be downloaded at my web site - http://www.mattadlermusic.com). Each song represents a different phase: contentment in being single, meeting someone special, entering into a relationship with that person, breaking up, sadness, anger, and finally hope for the future. Further, the album speaks also to how God can be in - and even glorified by - a failed relationship.

Matt: Again, thank you very much! In addition to being an artist, I am also a producer in my hometown of San Antonio, TX. So me and my band (who are my best friends in the world) hunkered down in my studio and cranked out the tunes one by one. It was a super fun experience. With all the different voices in the mix, we defined a brand new sound, infusing indie rock and organic elements with electronic drums and soundscapes. I feel like fans of Gungor, Imagine Dragons, Future of Forestry, and Muse will enjoy this album.

Matt: We had released two albums within a year (The Sound was released August 2013 and Stages in May 2014) so we are taking a little break. I would say that you can probably expect a new, full-length release in a year-and-a-half...ish. And it'll likely follow our pattern of becoming more experimental, indie, and progressive. I'm very excited to see where we are headed musically!

Matt: I would say Gungor, Muse, Delirious, and The Beatles round out the top four. Michael Gungor and Matthew Bellamy are my musical soulmates (they don't know it yet... Actually I ran into Michael at Waterloo Records in Austin and I very likely told him that!) and Martin Smith is my favorite worship leader. Delirious was a HUGE influence in my musical development when I was younger. And The Beatles are The Beatles. 'Nuff said.

Matt: I'm not looking for fame and fortune. I just write music that means a lot to me. It's very autobiographical at times. My hope is that through my experiences, my hardships, my joys and my victories, people can see themselves in that and be affected in a positive way.

Matt: Thank you! A super cool dude by the name of Paul Soupiset (http://soupiset.com) from here in San Antonio did the Stages album art. I ran into him at a local coffee shop (aptly named "Local Coffee") and he showed me this book he had just illustrated. I immediately knew I wanted him to have a crack at the cover. He knocked it out of the park!

Matt: Oh my! Well... without thinking, off the top of my head I'd say Gungor and Mutemath. Heads would explode - at the very least, mine would!