With two singles now out ahead of an album to follow, it was the perfect time to sit down with Matt King, Andy Mitchell and Shawn Helton of The Real Anthem to find out how the band came about, what the new album will be all about and where things go next.
Can we start with some background about the band? How did the band come together, and what paths brought you all here?
MK: Andy is the nucleus of this, from my perspective. My inspiration and approach for this project was to create a sound palette that was distinctive and signature.
AM: Shawn and I started The Real Anthem by writing a couple of songs together that really laid the foundation for what the band would become. At the time, I was also working on another project called Western Kill with Matt King, and I knew right away that he would be the perfect addition to help take this band to the next level. Matt is an incredible songwriter, producer, and engineer, and creatively we complement each other really well. Once the three of us started collaborating, it became clear that we had something special.
SH: Andy and I first began laying the foundation for what would eventually become The Real Anthem in late 2023, but the project did not truly gain momentum until nearly two years later. At the time, Andy was already working with Matt King in another band, Western Kill, and he felt Matt would be a natural fit for the music we were creating. He was absolutely right.
Creatively, Matt brings tremendous value to the band. As a multi-instrumentalist and mix engineer, he is able to contribute across many different aspects of the songwriting and production process. Most songs begin with either Matt or Andy developing the initial musical ideas and arrangements before sending the tracks to me.
From there, Andy and I collaborate closely on the vocal side. We often write and develop melodies independently for the same song, exchanging ideas back and forth as we refine the strongest parts. That collaborative process allows us to shape each track into something that reflects all of our creative strengths while maintaining a cohesive vision for The Real Anthem.
And who’s in the band, and what do you feel each person brings to The Real Anthem? (Great name, by the way.)
AM: I bring years of songwriting experience, along with a strong melodic approach to both vocals and guitar. I’m always focused on finding memorable hooks and melodies that connect with listeners. In the band, I play guitar, sing backing harmonies, and contribute to the songwriting process, helping shape the overall sound and direction of our music.
SH: The core of The Real Anthem consists of Matt, Andy, and me, with each of us bringing a unique musical background and skill set to the band. Matt and Andy have spent years making notable musical contributions throughout the West and across the country in various known projects, building a wealth of experience as performers, songwriters, and collaborators.
Furthermore, what makes The Real Anthem exciting is the easy-going creative chemistry we share. We each come from different musical traditions and influences, which creates a diverse and constantly evolving palette of ideas. That blend of backgrounds keeps the songwriting process fresh, collaborative, and intriguing, allowing us to explore new directions while staying true.
My musical background began on the East Coast in the post-punk project, where I learned to sing, write melodies, and lyrics. That project later became involved in the New York post-punk revival scene of the early 2000s. Those experiences helped shape my approach to songwriting and live performance. I drifted in and out of projects for years before creating the music project Memory Mask, which emerged out of the ashes of the COVID-era lockdowns. Years later, a chance meeting with Andy and the concept for The Real Anthem was born.
The name The Real Anthem came to me unexpectedly as Andy and I were discussing the kind of music we wanted to create together. We envisioned songs built around big hooks, memorable choruses, and dynamic bridge sections that could connect with listeners on a deeper level. We merged some of our primary influences from the 80s and 90s, and that’s when something exciting happened.
Additionally, the band name also carries a spiritual meaning for me. It was inspired in part by the Psalms and the idea of finding a song of hope in the midst of life’s challenges. I kept coming back to the image of leaving behind a darker chapter and moving toward something brighter, more honest, and more life-giving. In some of our songs, you can feel the tension as we push for something better but trudge through the dark to get there. In many ways, that sense of transformation is woven into both the name and the music itself.
The Real Anthem represents more than just a name. It reflects a desire to create music that is emotionally resonant and authentic.
Am I correct in thinking the band is spread out geographically, and if so, how does that affect how you write and make music? And does that mean you focus more on the studio than the live show?
MK: The writing process is quite smooth, and we have a process that allows for feedback into the system. This helps to craft and modify ideas easily and quickly. In addition, most songs are broken down into their simplest form on acoustic guitar and vocals to work through melodies and harmonies.
AM: Our creative process is highly collaborative, even though we’re in different cities. We typically start by sharing demos and song ideas through digital platforms, allowing us to build songs together no matter where we are. Instrumentally, everything is recorded and produced at Matt King’s studio in Sacramento. Shawn and I record all of the vocals in Phoenix at Minds Eye Digital with Larry Elyea. Once the vocals are complete, we send the tracks to Matt, who handles the mixing and final production. So far, most of our focus has been on creating the record and establishing our sound, but we also spend time promoting new releases and performing live whenever possible.
With two singles out and an album to follow, what are the key features of the band’s sound? Do you fit into a general sound or style?
MK: I think the lower-end frequencies have a signature driving feel to it. The bass and drums have a sub groove that keeps the songs feeling fresh. Much of the guitar work is very fundamental in structure and chordal choices that reflect the post-punk and dark wave tones. Then the atmospheric synth work is deliberate, and I feel it adds to the TRA sound. I believe the most signature part of our sound is the blend of Andy and Shawn and how the vocals play off each other.
SH: We currently have several singles released, each showcasing different textures and musical influences. No matter where a song starts, our goal is always the same: to draw listeners in with memorable melodies and catchy hooks and the creative backdrop that gets us there. We’re still discovering the full scope of what The Real Anthem can be, constantly pushing ourselves and synthesizing the next idea.
The lyrics seem to have plenty of depth; are there any messages you are trying to convey, or conversations you want to start with the listener?
SH: While there is collaboration on lyrics with Andy for certain songs, I handle the majority of lyrical writing. I’ve always enjoyed working with words, drawing inspiration from film, the art world, analysis of geopolitics, as well as true crime and, more recently, faith-based themes. Those influences often find their way into the perspectives explored in our songs. Artists shouldn’t be afraid to tackle deeper ideas and challenge the status quo in the realm of music. I believe audiences are becoming more awake to the scripted aspects of the world in a search for something real and true.
Are these singles representative of the album, or is there more diverse music to be found between them?
MK: Of course it’s more diverse, risk-taking, stretching to bring the legacy music genre to modern-day.
AM: The songs we’ve released so far are a great snapshot of where The Real Anthem is today, but they’re only the beginning. We’re a band that isn’t afraid to evolve, experiment, and explore different styles and genres. Each member brings a unique set of musical influences to the table, and that blend is a big part of what makes our sound distinct. We’re still discovering all the things this band can do, and that’s the exciting part. What listeners have heard so far is really just the tip of the iceberg, and we believe the best music is still ahead of us.
Can you tell me about the recording process, how the album came together, and who else beyond the band members were key to its creation?
MK: All music tracks are recorded in California, vocals in Arizona, mixed back in California. Usually starts with a riff or music bed idea. This gets passed around, and ideas are traded back and forth like if we were in the same room, just a bit of a delay in between exchanges. We’ve created 30 or so ideas thus far, and we are looking for inspiration from a lyrical message or melodic approach. We try not to force anything. In the end, the message and the melody decide.
And, beyond the album, what does the future hold for the band?
MK: We would like to focus on delivering an amazing complete album, one that can form our identity and establish a signature sound and vibe. Once we can articulate those attributes, we can then fold them into our visual presentation or live appearance.
It would be good to spend some time collaborating with other bands and sharing our journey and experience with other artists. It’s always best to be part of a community.
