#190 - Mat Kerekes (Citizen)

In this episode, we sit down with Mat Kerekes,
the multifaceted frontman of Citizen, to dive deep into his solo
work, his ever-evolving approach to music, and his unique balance
of passion projects. Whether it’s fronting an iconic band like
Citizen, writing his own songs as a solo artist, or stepping into
the role of a producer, Mat seems to do it all—and do it well.


Mat's most recent solo release, To Dream of Something Wicked,
dropped on Wax Bodega to rave reviews, and in this interview, we
get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the record. As Mat
explains, the album was a labor of love that came together
organically during a transitional time in his life. Written and
recorded while moving back home, he unintentionally tapped into a
sound that echoed his 2016 release Luna & the Wild Blue
Everything—an album that established his solo sound. But with
this latest project, Mat says, “This record is just me,” showing
that he's not trying to emulate anyone or anything. He’s
comfortable with who he is, and that authenticity is reflected in
the music.


We also explore Mat's evolving relationship with Citizen,
touching on the 10-year anniversary of Youth in 2023 (which, for
Mat, marked a turning point in both his career and his personal
life). He shares funny and heartfelt stories from those early
days of the band, as well as his growth—from an insecure high
school kid to a driven musician who balances his time between
creating, performing, and pursuing other passions like Muay Thai
and video games.


As we discuss his solo career, Mat reveals that his solo music
often happens during downtime from Citizen. While the band will
always be his main focus, his solo work offers a refreshing
outlet—one that allows him to write without the pressure of a
larger team. In fact, his solo endeavors have been more low-key
with little press or touring, but we can expect a short 2-3 week
stretch in 2025, with Mat playing a handful of dates before
moving on to the next phase of his career.


If there’s one thing that stands out about Mat, it’s his ability
to fully dedicate himself to whatever he does. Whether it’s
music, the gym, or martial arts, he gives it everything he’s got.
A self-proclaimed gym rat who’s constantly training, Mat is
someone who truly takes advantage of the 24 hours in a day,
leaving no room for regrets.


We had a blast chatting with Mat—his humor, honesty, and passion
shine through in this conversation. Be sure to listen to the full
interview for insights into Mat's creative process, his growth as
both an artist and a person, and of course, some great stories
from the road with Citizen.