Introduction
Matthew Ray Shultz (born 23 October 1983) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the lead singer and occasional guitarist for the American rock band Cage the Elephant.
Early life
Matthew Ray Shultz was born on 23 October 1983 and raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky, alongside high school friends and future bandmates including his older brother Brad Shultz (guitar), Daniel Tichenor (bass, backing vocals), Lincoln Parish (lead guitar), and Jared Champion (drums). Shultz and his brother came from a poor background and were sometimes teased for this, with his brother being called "Poor Boy" by children at their school. Their father is also a musician and also named Brad. Their parents separated when the brothers were young. After the divorce, their mother dated Shultz's football coach, prompting him to quit the team and play music as an act of rebellion.
Before starting Cage the Elephant, Shultz worked in construction as a plumber. He said in an interview that he felt if he didn't quit that job, he would be stuck there for the rest of his life. He therefore quit and worked at a sandwich bar with Brad, who had previously worked in telemarketing.
Musical influences
Shultz cites bands such as the Pixies as influential on his vocal style, explaining that he discovered them alongside other punk bands while living in England during the recording of Thank You, Happy Birthday. His stage persona is inspired by punk pioneers such as Iggy Pop.
Personal life
In 2014, Shultz married French actress and model Juliette Buchs in a civil ceremony in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They celebrated the marriage that August with family and friends in Buchs' hometown of Rennes, Brittany, and had a later celebration in the U.S. in October. The couple separated and have begun the process of a divorce. The songs "Ready To Let Go", "Love's the Only Way", and "Goodbye" are about the divorce. Schultz married fellow singer Eva Ross in early February 2020
Art
Matt Shultz began his art career as the lead singer and a founding member of Cage The Elephant. While continuing his musical career, Shultz has gone on to explore a vast array of artistic mediums, including dance, fashion design, visual art, and performance art.
In March of 2019, Shultz released a Boot Collection with The Frye Company.
In August of 2019, Shultz threw his debut art show in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with New York artist Danny Cole, Beck, and other friends. The event was captured by Rolling Stone in a photo journal.
Accomplishments
Cage the Elephant's first nomination came in 2011. The music video for Shake Me Down was nominated for the best rock video at the VMA. In 2014, Cage was nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album for Melophobia, at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. It wasn't until two years later, in 2016, that Cage received a Grammy. In 2016, Cage won the Grammy for the Best Rock Album for Tell Me I'm Pretty.