“From Heartbreak to Headline: Matt Hansen Eyes His Biggest Year Yet”

Matt Hansen has quietly become one of the most compelling new voices in pop, turning heartbreak and healing into songs that resonate with millions. With over 6 million monthly listeners and a loyal following built from the ground up, his rise has been anything but ordinary. But it was a sold-out headline show in London that marked a personal milestone—one that pushed him to his limits and brought something new out on stage. That’s where our conversation begins.

I want to start with your performance in London. What do you remember from that night?

That night was so special. I was actually on my last legs vocally - I was super nervous. It was my biggest headline show at the time, and I was genuinely scared I wouldn’t be able to get through it. But the crowd completely lifted me up. They were singing so loudly, and the energy in the room was just beautiful. It brought something out of me on stage that I didn’t even know was there. I found myself connecting with the crowd in a new way. It was honestly one of my favorite nights ever.

Did you have any expectations beforehand?

I’d heard from everyone that London is an amazing place to play - and they were right. Before that, my favorite city to perform in was New York. I love the energy there. London has a similar vibe: loud, energetic, totally unfiltered. It was a really fun time.

Let’s go back a bit. You started your career on social media and really blew up. Did you ever have a backup plan?

Honestly, no. Since I was about 12, I knew this was what I wanted to do - make music. The closest thing to a “backup plan” was being a songwriter. That’s actually what I was trying to do when I first moved to LA. Then things started picking up online, and I thought maybe this artist path could actually be possible.

That must have taken a lot of resilience.

Oh, totally. Years of hearing “no,” years of feeling like I wasn’t good enough. And honestly, that never really stops. You still get that doubt - every day, from somewhere. But you just have to keep pushing through.

With over 6 million monthly listeners, do you ever get overwhelmed by the numbers or pressure?

Definitely. It sits in my head more than I’d like to admit. But playing shows really helps with that. When you see real people in the crowd, singing your lyrics back to you - it reminds you that this is about connection, not numbers. You see the faces, the stories behind why they’re there. That’s what matters.

What would you say your music is about?

A lot of it stems from a really bad breakup I went through. That was the turning point. Before that, I didn’t feel like I had much to say. But once I started writing about that relationship, it all clicked - because other people had gone through it too. People connected with the honesty. And it’s not just about romantic breakups - it could be with a parent, a sibling… The emotion is transferable, and that’s the beautiful part. These songs are no longer just mine; they become other people’s stories, too.

Let’s talk about your song “Yellowstone.” What’s the story behind it?

“Yellowstone” is my version of a happy love song… with an apocalyptic twist. I’m in a straight relationship now, and I wanted to write about it, but I’ve always found it harder to write happy songs. Sadness hits me deeper. So we thought - what if it’s the end of the world? What if Yellowstone, the supervolcano, erupts? One of the writers had just read that if it explodes, half the world would be gone. So I thought, okay, terrifying… but what would I do? I’d run to her. That’s what the song is about - being with the person you love, even as everything around you collapses. It’s a love song with a little pain in it. Because I guess I can’t write a fully happy song without a bit of sadness.

What’s next for you musically?

I’m staying consistent—writing and releasing music that my fans connect with. But I’m exploring more hopeful themes lately. I’ve got a catalogue full of sad songs, and while I love them, I’m also a pretty happy person. I want to make more upbeat tracks—something people can dance to, something that lets them forget the pain for a while. That’s the direction I’m leaning into, though of course, the sad songs will always be there. That’s what I do best.

Can we expect a headline tour next year?

Oh yeah. That’s the plan—headline tour next year. It’s happening.

Final question—what’s really next? What’s the big goal?

The album. Finally. I haven’t put one out yet because I wanted to wait until I could really tell the full story—of who I am, what I’ve been through, what all this means to me. I’ve got five or six months off coming up, and I’m going to use that time to write, release new music, and maybe, actually take a proper break. But yeah, it’s album time.

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Words by Sal F. and Photos by Ines B.