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Matt Shultz

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Matt Shultz
Shultz performing in 2017
Shultz performing in 2017
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Ray Shultz
Born (1983-10-23) October 23, 1983 (age 41)
Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Member of

Matthew Ray Shultz (born October 23, 1983) is an American musician, best known as the lead singer and primary songwriter for the rock band Cage the Elephant.[1]

Early life

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Matthew Ray Shultz was born on October 23, 1983, and raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky. His father, Donald Bradley Shultz Sr, was also a musician. Growing up, Shultz came from a poor background alongside his brother, Donald Bradley "Brad" Shultz Jr, which subjected them to teasing from their peers at school. Their parents separated when the brothers were young, which inspired them to begin writing music while they lived with their grandmother in a trailer park. Their mother disapproved of their passion for music and began dating his football coach after the divorce, and which prompted him to quit the team and play music as an act of rebellion. He attended Greenwood High School.[2]

Before starting Cage the Elephant, Shultz worked in construction as a plumber. He said in an interview that he felt if he didn't quit that job, he would be stuck there for the rest of his life.[3] He therefore quit and worked at a sandwich bar with Brad, who had previously worked in telemarketing.

Personal life

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Shultz was previously married to Juliette Buchs from 2014 until they separated in 2018. He then married fellow Kentucky-based actress, dancer and musician Eva Ross in early February 2020.[4] "Love's The Only Way" was a song written by Matt for Eva while they were dating. Eva announced on December 1, 2021, that the couple had separated and were filing for divorce; however, they were remarried on October 24, 2023.[5]

Shultz has spoken about his three-year struggle with psychosis, triggered by ADHD medication. He described it as a "nightmarish" state of panic, paranoia and delusions.[6] On February 7, 2023, Shultz was arrested in New York on charges of felony firearm possession. He was staying at The Bowery Hotel in Manhattan, where a hotel employee reportedly saw him carrying a firearm into the bathroom and called 9-1-1.[7][8] In a plea bargain, Shultz pleaded guilty to three charges in exchange for avoiding jail time.[9][10] Shultz called the arrest a "miracle", leading to hospital treatment and therapy.[11]

Musical influences

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Shultz cites bands such as the Pixies as influential on his vocal style, explaining that he discovered them alongside other punk bands while living in England during the recording of Thank You, Happy Birthday. His stage persona is inspired by punk pioneers such as Iggy Pop.[12]

Art

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Matt Shultz began his art career as the lead singer and a founding member of Perfect Confusion in 2001. Later, he would also do the same with Cage the Elephant.[13] While continuing his musical career, Shultz has gone on to explore a vast array of artistic mediums, including dance, fashion design, visual art, and performance art.[14][15][16]

In March 2019, Shultz released a boot collection with The Frye Company.[17]

In August 2019, Shultz threw his debut art show in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with New York artist Danny Cole, Beck, and other friends. The event was captured by Rolling Stone in a photo journal.[16]

Accomplishments

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Cage the Elephant's first nomination came in 2011, when the music video for "Shake Me Down" was nominated for the Best Rock Video at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. In 2014, Cage the Elephant was nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album for Melophobia, at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. In 2016, Cage the Elephant won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album for Tell Me I'm Pretty, winning again in 2019 for Social Cues.[18][19]

References

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  1. ^ True, Chris. "Biography: Cage the Elephant". AMG. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  2. ^ https://www.bgdailynews.com/community/interview-with-cage-the-elephants-matt-shultz/article_7f96253f-6295-5b14-a5f1-49f9b004f47e.html
  3. ^ "Rock it out! blog" for Consequence of Sound
  4. ^ "Instagram".
  5. ^ Chrisp, Kitty (14 October 2024). "00s rockstar feared for wife's safety during his years in psychosis 'nightmare". Metro. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  6. ^ CBS Mornings (10 October 2024). Cage The Elephant's Matt Shultz opens up about his psychosis and healing through music. Retrieved 21 October 2024 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (6 January 2023). "Cage the Elephant Singer Matt Shultz Arrested for Gun Possession in New York". Variety. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  8. ^ Mier, Tomás (6 January 2023). "Cage The Elephant's Matt Shultz Arrested for Gun Possession". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  9. ^ Mier, Tomás (3 June 2023). "Cage the Elephant's Matt Shultz Avoids Jail Time With Gun Charge Plea Deal". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Cage the Elephant's Matt Schultz Takes No-Jail Plea Deal for Gun Charges". Peoplemag. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  11. ^ Beaumont, Mark (17 May 2024). "Cage The Elephant's Matt Shultz: "I was in psychosis for three years – my arrest was a miracle"". NME. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  12. ^ Q&A: Matthew Shultz of Cage the Elephant, an Interview with Shultz on sfstation.com, retrieved 2013
  13. ^ "Cage the Elephant". 9 April 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  14. ^ "Matt Shultz Designs Boot Collection With Frye". Essential Homme Magazine. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  15. ^ "Cage the Elephant's Matt Shultz On Why He No Longer Feels Defeated". Billboard. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  16. ^ a b Lecca, Sacha (20 August 2019). "Matt Shultz, Beck and Friends Throw an Art Party in Brooklyn". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  17. ^ Feitelberg, Rosemary (12 February 2019). "Cage the Elephant's Matt Shultz Teams With the Frye Company". WWD. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  18. ^ https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/matt-shultz , retrieved 2018
  19. ^ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3068908/awards , retrieved 2018 [user-generated source]
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