Matt Shultz

Matt Shultz
Shultz crowdsurfing in November 2012
Background information
Birth name Matthew Ray Shultz
Born (1983-10-23) October 23, 1983
Origin Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • synthesizer
  • percussion
Associated acts

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

Early life

Matthew Ray Shultz was born on October 23, 1983 and raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky, alongside high school friends and future bandmates including his older brother Brad Shultz (guitar), Daniel Tichenor (bass, backing vocals), Lincoln Parish (lead guitar), and Jared Champion (drums). Shultz and his brother came from a poor background and were sometimes teased for this, with his brother being called "Poor Boy" by children at their school. Their father is also a musician and also named Brad. Their parents separated when the brothers were young. After the divorce, their mother dated Shultz's football coach, prompting him to quit the team and play music as an act of rebellion.

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.[2] He therefore quit and worked at a sandwich bar with Brad, who had previously worked in telemarketing.

Musical influences

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.[3]

Personal life

In 2014, Shultz married French actress and model Juliette Buchs in a civil ceremony in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They celebrated the marriage that August with family and friends in Buchs' hometown of Rennes, Brittany, and had a later celebration in the U.S. in October. The couple have since separated.

Accomplishments

Cage the Elephant's first nomination came in 2011. The music video for Shake Me Down was nominated for the best rock video at the VMA. In 2014, Shultz's band was nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album for Cage the Elephant's Melophobia, at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. It wasn't until two years later in 2016, did Cage receive a grammy. In 2016, Shultz was nominated and won the grammy for the Best Rock Album for Cage the Elephant's Tell Me I'm Pretty. [4] [5]

References

  1. ↑ True, Chris. "Biography: Cage the Elephant". AMG. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  2. ↑ "Rock it out! blog" for Consequence of Sound
  3. ↑ Q&A: Matthew Shultz of Cage the Elephant, an Interview with Shultz on sfstation.com, retrieved 2013
  4. ↑ , retrieved 2018
  5. ↑ , retrieved 2018

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