Matteson Gregory Finds Confidence in the Chaos on 'You Can Call Me Mattie: Season One'

Some debut projects introduce an artist. Others introduce a perspective. On You Can Call Me Mattie: Season One, indie pop-rock artist Matteson Gregory accomplishes both, delivering a heartfelt collection of songs that embraces uncertainty instead of trying to outrun it. Rooted in the emotional honesty of '90s-inspired pop-rock, the EP feels less like a polished destination and more like an invitation into the first chapter of an unfolding story.

Built around Gregory's concept of "Season One," the project explores the often-overlooked beauty of early adulthood. Rather than portraying success as a straight line, these songs acknowledge the awkwardness of balancing ambition, relationships, career expectations, and self-discovery. It's a refreshing perspective in an era where social media often rewards perfection over authenticity.

Gregory's songwriting shines through its ability to transform deeply personal experiences into universally relatable moments. There's an openness throughout the EP that makes every lyric feel lived-in, whether she's reflecting on changing friendships, evolving priorities, or the courage it takes to begin again. The result is a collection that feels cinematic without losing its intimacy.

You Can Call Me Mattie: Season One blends shimmering indie pop melodies with rock influences that recall the emotional directness of '90s singer-songwriters while maintaining a modern, hook-driven sensibility. Gregory demonstrates an instinct for memorable choruses without sacrificing the storytelling that gives each song its emotional weight.

The project's themes are perhaps best summarized in Gregory's own words: "I hope people will take away that they aren't behind, they're just in season one." That message resonates throughout the EP, encouraging listeners to embrace life's unfinished chapters instead of viewing them as failures.

Gregory has already begun building impressive momentum, with previous single "Stayed" featured on Netflix's The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, recent acceptance into Grammy U, and "21 Ain't So Fun" earning placement on the organization's May Mixtape playlist. Those accomplishments make this debut EP feel less like a starting point and more like the foundation of a promising career.

"Season One" is such a compelling concept. At what point did you realize your debut project needed to tell a larger story rather than simply collect songs?

I think it was because, really, it felt like these songs were the beginning of something. The best way I can describe it is like the beginning of a sitcom or a rom-com, where it’s a little messy, but you see the characters starting to find themselves and living life being unapologetically them. And that’s how I was starting to feel as an artist. I felt like I finally found the artist I’ve dreamt of being and started becoming her.  I think, really, Season One, the whole concept, is about embracing the beginning of your story, even if it seems like you’re starting later than everybody else or, you know, it’s a little messy, or it doesn’t look perfect. I think that’s something that not a lot of people shed a lot of light on, so I want Season One to be the moment where you start to unapologetically be yourself and begin that story.

Your music embraces imperfection in a culture that often celebrates polished success. Was it ever difficult to be this vulnerable in your songwriting?

When I first started, it was very hard to be vulnerable. Or more so, be myself. When I first started, I was following what everyone else was doing or what was popular at the time. Love songs are popular, great! I’ll write love songs even though I’ve never been in love. As time has gone on, I’ve decided to stop trying to chase what everyone wants to hear and just start chasing what I feel is real. I started writing what I know. I’ve also been a very big perfectionist, which is something I’m trying to overcome.  We live in such a culture where we try to prioritize perfection, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that some of the most beautiful things are in the imperfections.  It’s a lot easier said than done, but I’m getting there. 

You balanced building this project while working a full-time career. How did those experiences shape both the lyrics and the perspective behind the EP?

To be honest, I think it really was a big part of this project. A lot of the Season One world that I’ve built centers around the very beginning of the story, where maybe you’re not in the place where you want to be yet. My dream goal is to be touring and to be headlining my own shows and not having to work a day job, or at least do something maybe part-time if I had to.  And I’m not there. I’ve talked to so many other artists, and even just other people in general who have dreams or ambitions, and it’s hard when you see other people in a place where you’re not.  But you can’t compare your Season One to someone else’s Season Five. I have to realize that everything is happening as it’s meant to happen. It’s also inspired me to write music about topics that I feel sometimes don’t get talked about enough. For example, my song “21 Ain’t So Fun” was inspired by a line Chandler Bing said. “We’re not sad. We’re just not 21 anymore.” We’ve also stereotyped getting older with having less fun or the end of it all when I don’t think that's real.  I think just the way you have fun changes, and that’s okay. 

Having already earned a Netflix sync placement and recognition from Grammy U before releasing your debut EP, how have those milestones influenced your confidence as an independent artist?

It has definitely made me feel like a thousand times more confident. I know this journey as an artist is gonna have its ups and its downs, but these recognitions have just really made me feel like, “Oh, I am good enough to do this.”It’s also made me wanna work harder and just continue working on developing my craft and building my world as an artist. I want to keep getting better and keep going. 

If You Can Call Me Mattie: Season One is only the first chapter; what do your hope listeners discover alongside you as the story continues?

I hope that listeners feel like they can relate to seeing themselves in the songs. I want them to be inspired to live the life that they want to live and to ignore others’ opinions. One of the biggest pieces of advice my parents have given me is that everybody’s always gonna have their opinion on how you should live your life, but the biggest thing you have to do is what you want and what you feel is right. Their love story and what they taught me inspired one of the songs on the EP “Phoenix in the 90’s”. That song encompasses what the Season One world is all about.