INDIE BAND OF THE WEEK: ALL THAT MATTERS

 

The Atlanta-based band, All That Matters, has had one hell of a successful and great time these past few weeks! They beat out tens of thousands of other bands for the most highly sought spot amongst Indie Bands around the world and were chosen to play Vans Warped Tour on the Journey’s main stage at Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood on Thursday, June 29th. 2017. From what we saw, this is a band that knows how to rock! Filling the massive Journey’s main stage area, with fans spilling out into the grass, ATM had the Warped crowd wanting more by the time they were through. Not an easy crowd to win over, but All That Matters  kicked some serious ass and proved why they deserved to be on that stage! 

Check out the live pics of ATM onstage live at Warped…

Photographs by: Kinsey Blake Haynes, Staff Photographer – check out all of Kinsey’s photos from Warped below.

Being chosen to play on Van’s Warped Tour (Atlanta) is just one of many reasons why we picked All That Matters to be RockRevolt’s coveted Indie Band Of The Week. In the big scheme of things, this is technically a “win” for every indie band out there vying for recognition, on the cusp of “making it” – or at least still trying.

Because All That Matters is not just a band that “tries.” This is a band that is DEAD SERIOUS about the business of the music business, and their efforts to set goals and meet them are right on target thus far. 

Originally formed back in the halls of high school in rural Calhoun, Georgia, All That Matters have consistently striven to rise above the constantly changes ebbs and flows of the music industry. Although they’ve had a few lineup changes in the last three years, the work ethic of ATM is what differentiates them from 90% of the other indie bands out there. 

So, what do they do that’s so great (besides their collective musical talents)? We’re glad you asked.

This is a band that: 

1. Practices at least once (usually twice) a week – gig or no gig. 
2. Has grown a rock-solid foundation of fans that show up, supports them and buys their music and merch.
3. Understands the importance of social media and interacts with their fans and other bands online consistently.
4. They show up and support other bands when they aren’t playing themselves. 
5. They stick around and support other bands if they are playing (first or last). Further, they arrive to gigs early and don’t leave until the last band has played. 
6. They are sober when they play and don’t get stupid-drunk when they are done. There is a strict “no drugs” policy. 
7. Provide prompt replies to communications about ATM: fans, industry, press – they are on it. 
8. They don’t sit around waiting for the mythical “big deal” to come along. Those days are long gone, and they aren’t bitter nor defeated by that reality. They stay up-to-date with trends, what is going on and hone the necessary skills to keep up and roll with the almost constant changes within the music industry.
9. There are no delusions of grandeur nor expectations of getting anything handed to them and don’t waste time sitting around bitching about why “it” (insert big dream) hasn’t happened yet. Instead, ATM set goals and goes after them. Case in point: they were determined to play Warped Tour this year  – and they did.
10. Every member is willing to work hard during the day so that they can “live the dream” at night. Yes, that means the dreaded “day job.” But they do it because they understand what so many others do not: that THEY need to INVEST in THEIR BAND. That means money, time, persistence and patience.
11. They are willing to spend their time, effort and hard-earned money to make sure that ATM is represented in the best possible way in every medium (personally, virtually and technologically). 
12. ATM goes into a real studio to record their music  and then have it mixed and mastered by professionals.
13. They have up-to-date, professional promo photographs, a slick EPK, and recently hired a manager to help with all of the intricacies that make any band successful behind the scenes that has nothing to do with music. 
14. ATM are constantly marketing themselves to venues and promoters for bookings. They are in the process of hiring a professional booking agent and are currently considering several major publicity firms to help promote All That Matters on a national level. 
15. They know they have to bust ass and network to form the necessary relationships in this crazy, wonderful, circus environment called “the music business” – where everyone knows everyone. Many times it all comes down to four words: “It’s who you know.” Maneuvering swiftly out of the sludge of bottom-feeders and con artists (that promise everything and deliver nothing) that prey on indie bands, to the people that can really help your band succeed takes persistence, professionalism and appreciation. These guys have a major “long game” strategy and thus far have proven that it’s working.
16. All That Matters have managed to move up that vaseline-coated, golden ladder to where they are at this moment in time because they possess all of those qualities. The result is that some of the biggest names in this business know their name and music in the span of a few short years.

So…that’s is just the business side of why All That Matters is our Indie Band of The Week. Now, let’s talk about their music shall we? After all, that IS what it all comes down to at the end of the day…

All That Matters latest EP, Anatomy Of Defeat, features six song rich in lyrics, melodies and consummate musicianship. The only “negative” thing we can say about Anatomy Of Defeat is that it was newly recorded and in the can already when ATM found it was necessary to bring on a new lead vocalist, which they found in Trent Arant. Comparatively, suffice it to say that Arant takes this band next-level  vocally like a porn star gives better head than your high school girlfriend on her first try. Yes, it’s true. 

In one of those “stuck between a rock and a hard place” situations, the band elected to have Arant record the vocals for the song “Old Flame” to replace the original version  and showcase his vocal prowess – and he blew it out of the ballpark (pun intended) via this video: 

“Old Flame” (new version) – All That Matters

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All That Matters will be heading back into the studio soon to record an new full-length LP and we cannot wait to hear the result.

In the meantime, be sure to check out their music, connect with them on socials and catch them live if you can because in the indie world – these guys are on our top 50 of kickass up-and-coming bands to watch…and that is ALL THAT MATTERS.  

By: Valerie King, Co-Founder / Editor In Chief (Print & Digital)

Vans Warped Tour Photo Credit: Kinsey Blake Haynes, Staff Photographer 

Additional Photographs provided by band. 

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