The Narcissist Cookbook, Stirling local Matt Johnston, has just returned from their recent tour in the US. During recent interview Brig was able to find out a little bit about the artist came about.
Matt is a deeply imbedded part of Stirling’s local community and has been for a while. Hosting a weekly open-mic night and quiz at Nicky Tams bar “I used to come to the Tam’s open mic in like 2004, I know it’s been going since like 1992 or something”.
Being a crucial contributor in community for a long time, it’s obvious as to why he was the one to carry these traditions on.“Eventually the old owner of tams needed someone to run the open mic and I was just kinda there. And then they needed someone to run the quiz and I was even more there”.
“I was raised in a house full of music and guitars, even though my dad rarely played, and my mum didn’t at all anymore”.
In doing so, Matt has created a unique and welcoming environment, one which many people see as a safe space. Not only is he a friendly face around Stirling, but he is also a talented artist with a quickly growing following. And it’s no doubt as to why.
Finding his love for music first from his upbringing: “I was raised in a house full of music and guitars, even though my dad rarely played, and my mum didn’t at all anymore”.
Not only was he influenced instrumentally, but the foundations of his music taste came from his upbringing too, Matt explained:
“specifically American acts, roots blues and alt-country – accompanied pretty much every moment of my childhood”.
Later in his life, Matt found his own taste – the 90s punk music scene. His musical influences are deeply imbedded within his very own being. This is later what drove him to teach himself how to play the guitar “I learned a power chord in half an hour and could play the intro to my favourite song that evening. Instant gratification”.
The name ‘The Narcissist Cookbook’ is the product of a tough time – “I was lonely, lost and extremely depressed. I had all this stuff I wanted to say”. The music Matt produces is raw and honest; however, this inevitably leaves room for criticism, “I settled on The Narcissist Cookbook because it’s sort of making fun of myself before other people get a chance to”.
“I know how much it meant to me when I found openly queer songwriters in that field”.
After asking Matt about the genre of The Narcissist Cookbook, he explained that he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Not quite spoken word but very similar to a monologue at times. Explaining that it came from a love of audio books, podcasts and YouTube video essays – “I wanted to try as recreate as a musician the way those things made me feel”.
This, in turn, has created a genre which is completely unique to The Narcissist Cookbook. Something every artist is trying to create for themselves.
“Growing up listening to a lot of emo and pop punk stuff, there weren’t really any queer or neurodivergent people to identify with”. With this as a driving force, Matt has created a narrative he describes as one which “would’ve helped me when I was younger”.
After growing up listening to a lot of pop punk and witnessing the homophobia within that community, Matt went on to explain “I know how much it meant to me when I found openly queer songwriters in that field”. The Narcissist Cookbook is relatable and reliable. They’re an artist that is there for all of us. Truly.
“I knew that most of my following was over there, but nothing prepared me for it. The whole tour sold out”.
“A mix of songwriter and storyteller” is the closest thing to a genre we can pin The Narcissist Cookbook to – because it can’t be refined. It’s in itself a standalone project. Completely unique in the most relatable way.
It’s no surprise that Matt’s music has taken off, just back from a spree of US dates “The shows in the States were absolutely mad. They came about through my friendship with Bug Hunter”. Growing up with American musical influences, it’s a full circle moment:
“I knew that most of my following was over there, but nothing prepared me for it. The whole tour sold out”.
From the corner stage of Nicky Tams to a sold-out tour in the United States. You will have to look hard to find another musician dedicated to his music, fanbase and community in the way that Stirling’s own The Narcissist Cookbook is.
Heading back out on the road in October for a UK tour, there are sure to be more exciting times ahead. Alongside this Matt is constantly brewing a new project:
“I’ve constantly have about 5 projects going on at once, so I will never know what to announce or what not to announce”.
All we can do, is wait in excited anticipation.
Featured image credit: Philip Romano (philipromano.com)
English and Journalism Student. I like to write about funky music and the fact I have no hair.
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