An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
Your Network is Your Net Worth: Very cliche… but so true. My network is my net worth. Most of my projects come through word of mouth and from previous projects I’ve worked on. In my eyes, business is personal, people want to do business with people they know and trust.
As a part of our series about “dreamers who ignored the naysayers and did what others said was impossible”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Matthew Head.
Matthew Head is an Emmy, NAACP Image, and Peabody Award-winning and Grammy-nominated music producer and composer. Based in his hometown of Marietta, Georgia, Head’s work includes ABC’s upcoming hip hop drama Queens, OWN’s Greenleaf, the Halle Berry and Lena Waithe-produced Boomerang on BET, P-Valley on Starz, PBS and WETA’s The Black Church: The is Our Story, This is Our Song, Lifetime’s Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia, and after collaborating with Timbaland on Step Up: High Water season 2, is now the sole music producer for season 3 of the hit Starz series. With over 75 credits, Head has the unique ability to move an audience through music; to take a scene and accentuate key moments to increase the intensity of a line, word, glance, or motion.
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to ‘get to know you’ a bit better. Can you tell us your ‘backstory’?
I was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia (suburb of Atlanta). My parents wanted me to be involved with the arts and enrolled me in piano lessons at the age of 5. After 8 years of piano lessons, I started creating my own music. It was a fun hobby that allowed me to be creative. I attended Savannah State University and continued to create music on my own and I began to write/produce for local indie artists. After college, I started writing instrumentals and would put them on a cd to pass out. I didn’t care where the music would land, I just wanted people to hear my work. The instrumentals landed in the hands of a local film company, which led me to score my first film. That opened the doors and windows of opportunities in the film and television world. With my music production background and film composition, it created my own lane and I was hired to produce and compose music for many life changing projects.
Are you working on any new or exciting projects now? How do you think that will help people?
Yes, there are a couple of projects that I am working on that I am really excited about. I love working on projects that tell our (African Americans) stories. There are a few documentaries (that I can’t mention yet…) I am composing the music for and they are great. Both documentaries are both based on hidden figures in the African American community. They are very educational and newsworthy and can’t wait until they are officially released.
In your opinion, what do you think makes your company or organization stand out from the crowd?
Matthew Head Productions is a company that wants to inspire others to understand the difference between their gifts and passions. Your gifts will make room for you. We are all born with gifts/special talents and understanding them and using them will allow you to pursue your passions. My formula: Gifts + Passions = Dream…. Living the dream is the goal.
Ok, thank you for that. I’d like to jump to the main focus of this interview. Has there ever been a time that someone told you something was impossible, but you did it anyway? Can you share the story with us? What was your idea? What was the reaction of the naysayers? And how did you overcome that?
Though I never had anyone tell me it will be impossible for me to have a successful career as a film composer…. I’ve had people say that I should move to Los Angeles to have a meaningful career in the entertainment business. I’ve decided to stay in Atlanta, because I wanted to establish roots and bring attention to musicians, composers, and producers outside of “Hollywood.” I didn’t take my talents for granted. I understood that each project was an opportunity to show and prove my talent and worth. I still carry that attitude today.
In the end, how were all the naysayers proven wrong? 🙂
To be honest… I just keep going and let the work speak for itself… LOL.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I have a very small support system that has pushed me and supported me throughout the years. My wife has been the head of my support system since we’ve been together. She sparks my creative spirit, and I am grateful for her. Being a wife/partner to a musician in the entertainment industry is challenging and stressful, but she handles everything with class and respect. She’s held down me and our household as I pursue my career. We have a true partnership.
It must not have been easy to ignore all the naysayers. Did you have any experiences growing up that have contributed to building your resiliency? Can you share the story with us?
To be honest, ignoring the naysayers is natural to me. I am a very positive and optimistic person, so I never hear the drama from others. I stay focused on the end goal and continue to work hard in my field. Both my parents pushed me to always trust my instincts and trust my talents. That keeps me going…
Based on your experience, can you share 5 strategies that people can use to harness the sense of tenacity and do what naysayers think is impossible? (Please share a story or an example for each)
Five strategies that worked for me….
- Trust Your Gut: We are all born with intuition and knowing what’s right and wrong and/or what is for us. Understanding that our gut is our spirit guiding us. When it comes to the naysayers, listen to your gut and let your inner spirit guide you in the direction.
- Stay In Your Lane: I am a huge believer in staying in your lane and not getting in the way… which can lead to you getting in the way of your own success. Throughout my career, I’ve received more opportunities by understanding and knowing my role on a particular project. Staying in my lane gains the trust of many.
- Integrity: Your integrity is your reputation… Your reputation in your resume. Showing good integrity allowed me to be in rooms that I never thought I would be in. My goal is to gain the trust with everyone I do business with and having good and honest intentions helps me reach that goal.
- Your Network is Your Net Worth: Very cliche… but so true. My network is my net worth. Most of my projects come through word of mouth and from previous projects I’ve worked on. In my eyes, business is personal, people want to do business with people they know and trust.
- Your Gifts vs. Your Passion = Your Dreams: At a young age, I understood that we are born with special talents (gifts). Those gifts/talents are given to us to give away and bless others. The doors will open for you and your gift will make room for you. Combining your gifts/talents with your passions (something you love) will allow you to live your dreams. That is the goal… Live your dreams and you’ll never “work” again.
What is your favorite quote or personal philosophy that relates to the concept of resilience?
MH: I have several quotes, but one that stands out to me is, “You do good, you get good.” I am a huge believer in karma and what you put out, you’ll get back to you. Staying optimistic and thinking positive thoughts keeps the stress and worry clear.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
MH: I am a former school teacher and I am very passionate about a quality education for our students. Our education system is struggling, especially within the African American community. Starting a mentor program and guidance for the youth is definitely needed. Our future as a nation depends on it.
Can our readers follow you on social media?
MH: Yes, please follow me on all socials @mattheadmusic
Thank you for these great stories. We wish you only continued success!
Producer Matthew Head: They Told Me It Was Impossible And I Did It Anyway was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.