Manor singer-songwriter set to release 1st single from debut album

During his day, Matt Pitschman of Manor tries to take note of any interesting or catchy phrases he hears, tucking them away in case they might develop into a new song someday.

Pitschman, 36, is getting ready to release the first song from his debut record, “Long Road to Heaven,” on April 26. The full album (with the same title) will be released July 26.

Pitschman spoke with TribLive about developing his songwriting and recording his first album. This interview has been edited for length.

Q: How long have you been playing guitar and what got you started writing songs?

A: I learned some basic chords and songs in high school, but I picked up the guitar again after college and started taking lessons with Doug Edgell. However, I’m probably more of a songwriter than a guitar player. I started down the rabbit-hole of falling in love with classic country music and songwriters in college. After, I somehow convinced myself that I might be able to write songs. By that time, I had maybe gained a little confidence in myself to be able to do difficult things by working hard, even if it was going to take a long time to get good at. I also remembered how I imagined things as a kid in the car or in the backyard, like race cars or baseball games, and I remembered writing stories in second grade. And I just loved music and how it made me feel.

Q: What are some of your biggest musical influences and how has that informed your songwriting?

A: If I had to start somewhere, I’d start with Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt. That’s cliche for a folk songwriter, but there’s a reason for that. What I love about them is that there are so many layers. They are able to write many types of songs, but often can communicate an abstract artistic idea in such a beautiful way that captures your ear and your heart, and keeps you coming back for the rest of your life. That’s the style that I think I tend to emulate most with what naturally comes out in my songs.

I would also include classic country songwriters like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, and have to mention Jason Boland as a pivotal inspiration around the time I started writing songs. Country music is about the story, the people, and their feelings in real life. Song ideas that naturally arise through feelings in life have a good chance for the people listening to be able to relate to them.

Q: What is your favorite song on the new record and why?

A: The title track, “Long Road to Heaven.” I think it’s my favorite because I feel like I can be somewhat amazed by it, because of the way it was written. I wrote it very quickly, in just a few minutes, after reading the book “The Overstory,” by Richard Powers. When writing through a stream of consciousness, the words can feel like they’re not your own and coming from somewhere else. I’ve heard a lot of writers talk about this and I’m sometimes able to write this way. It can feel really freeing and almost like magic. Even when I go back and listen to the words now it feels almost new, even after five years.

Q: What has been the biggest challenge in putting the record together?

A: I think the biggest challenge was figuring out how to record my vocals. … I had a few false starts at recording over the years and even while recording the album we had to try to find a way that worked for me. I recorded the album with Clint Erb in his home studio and he was patient enough to try some different approaches, including some non-traditional ones, until we got a sound that felt good. And once we got it, we knew it.

I also had a hard time finding the right people to work with. This was my first record, so there was a lot for me to learn. I was nervous because I didn’t want to get into a situation where I spent a ton of money and then maybe not even have something I was proud of. Partly because I wasn’t sure I could deliver a performance that would meet my standards. Clint was really the perfect fit because he was willing to help me figure things out, he had great production and musical ability, and he was excited about what I was doing. We ended up including a full band in country and bluegrass styles that was way beyond what I could have hoped for.

“Long Road to Heaven” will be released April 26 on streaming platforms. For more, see MattPitschman.com.