Feature Photo: courtesy of Matt Scannell
Matt Scannell is a founder and singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Vertical Horizon. The band started in 1991, and would find tremendous success with their 1999 major label debut Everything You Want. The title track would go to #1 and stay on the charts for 41 weeks and be the most-played single of 2000. The album would go on to sell more than 2 million copies. That was 25 years ago now, and Matt and Vertical Horizon are ready to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Everything You Want with a few headline dates, starting on August 1, 2024, they begin a more extensive tour with Gin Blossoms and Toad The Wet Sprocket.
In this interview, Matt talks about the early years with Keith Kane, the joy and the demise of being with the RCA Records label, his work and his deep friendship with Rush‘s Neil Peart, Richard Marx, and what we might see from Vertical Horizon in the future.
“Everything You Want” (Matt Scannell acoustic) video:
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Hello everyone! My name is Scott Itter, but some know me as Dr. Music. I am a music journalist and photographer out of the Chicagoland area, and I have been in practice for over 20 years. I grew up in the 70’s with two big brothers that showed me all kinds of rock and roll. As I grew older I ventured out into different genres like jazz, funk, folk, and whatever else I could wrap my ears around. As I read every liner note and every Circus and Hit Parader like they were the Old and New Testament, I came to realize that I just love sound and appreciate all the people that create it.
I later became a stay-at-home dad and started honing my writing and photography skills to keep my mind from turning into mashed peas. My kids are now adults, my mind is only slightly mushy, and I am thrilled to have the honor of presenting my work to you!
