Sappenin’ Podcast with Sean Smith

EP. 367 - Matt Pryor (The Get Up Kids)

Dec 5, 2025
Guest
Matt Pryor
Matt Pryor, iconic frontman of The Get Up Kids and solo artist, dives into his journey of sobriety and the challenges of touring sober for the first time. He reflects on the impact of nostalgia and anniversary tours on his mental health, celebrating music rather than competing. Pryor shares his DIY approach to music, contrasting independent releases with major label struggles, and offers hilarious anecdotes, including a memorable performance at a Mormon frat house. His new album, The Salton Sea, highlights his candidness about sobriety and vulnerability in songwriting.
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INSIGHT

DIY Foundations Still Rule

  • The fundamentals of DIY music remain the same despite changing technology and platforms.
  • Musicians now must learn new tools (podcasts, TikTok, Substack) while keeping core practices intact.
ADVICE

Keep Control Or Pay For It

  • Either do tasks yourself or pay someone competent to do them and limit who you trust with core work.
  • Keep control of your process to avoid relying on people who won't deliver.
ANECDOTE

Book, Tours, Burnout, Then Recovery

  • Writing his memoir and doing anniversary tours pushed Matt Pryor into drinking and depression before sobriety.
  • Recovery and reflection later let him reframe anniversary shows as celebrations rather than traps.
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