My name is Matt Villar. Born and raised in sunny southern California, I graduated from Arizona State University and moved across the country to Nashville, Tennessee.
In my performance, my writing, and in everything I do, I strive to inspire compassion among people by playing on what makes people similar and emphasizing what makes them unique.
1. Please describe your basic setup. (Your technical setup as well as the physical space that you work in.)
I run all of my software through my MacBook Pro. I use a series of keyboards to assist me, primarily a Korg Triton, Casio CDP235, and AKAI MPK Mini. I use Finale for notation, and Logic Pro is my preferred DAW.
2. What is your process for brainstorming or inspiration-seeking as you start a new arrangement?
I almost always start the arranging process by listening to the song, and trying to play along on the keyboard. This is especially useful when I don’t know the song, and I end up playing a “wrong” note, and suddenly I have an icepick in the creative process. To quote Bob Ross, “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.”
3. What is your go-to snack and/or drink when arranging?
There’s nothing like a cup of coffee and some popcorn to get the creativity flowing. Of course, I prefer chips to popcorn, but I’m not trying to get my keyboard greasy.
4. What is one thing you wish you would have known when you started arranging?
It’s okay to make bold choices. Sometimes, it’s just as useful to experiment and find out what I don’t like as it would be to find something that I do.
5. What is your favorite shortcut or time-saving trick in your notation software?
This is more pertinent to a DAW than notation software specifically, but that Logic can auto detect tempo in an audio file is extremely helpful. Especially when sampling, it’s an extremely useful tool.
6. What is a favorite arrangement of yours?
My favorite arrangement to have written is probably “Deep Water” by American Authors, which was the a cappella arrangement for Hart High School Unleashed in 2019.
7. How can people get ahold of you?
People can get in touch with me via email (mattvillar01@gmail.com) or via the chat feature on my website (mattvillar.com) https://docs.google.com/…/1qbukut0oXkEYo…/edit…
