Interview: Nashville's MNERVA Hits A Homerun With his New Single Love Song

Nashville-based singer-songwriter MNERVA impresses us with his new single Love Song. In this interview, we dive into the inspiration behind the song and get to work on the reinvention of his career from rapper to rock star.

The most common answer you’d hear if you asked people outside Nashville what type of music the city is known for would be “country”.

In spite of the fact that this fact is ingrained in the hearts and minds of most Nashville residents, what’s less known about the city is its underground rock scene.

Matt Wagner, aka MNERVA, is among the rising stars of this burgeoning music scene. Most of his fans and peers know him for his high-energy live shows, his infectiously catchy songs and his insane drumming skills. His latest single, “Love Song,” is arguably one of the most heartfelt songs he’s ever written.

You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artist’s music, and know more about the artist’s work by scrolling down the page.

This song is about self-reflection and discovering feelings and emotions we didn’t realize we were capable of. In response to a question about his thoughts on the song, MNERVA stated:

“I wrote “Love Song” last year when I celebrated my one-year anniversary with my now ex-girlfriend. I had never hit that milestone with anyone before and I wanted to compose a love song as a present for her for sticking with me. But unfortunately, I quickly realized I had no idea how to compose a happy song. Therefore, I jokingly started singing about how I couldn’t write a love song to save my life. While messing around, I landed on the song’s first couplet, immediately started crying, and then finished the song in an hour. Although I’m not in that relationship anymore, I still love “Love Song” because it reminds me that cynical, jaded, and insecure people can find somebody who makes them happy as long as they put themselves out there and open up.”

MNERVA admits he talks a lot, but we think it’s actually positive for his career as an artist; he knows how to express himself artistically, and brings it to music.

In the alternative scene, MNERVA has carved out his own lane with witty lyrics, honest delivery, and energetic production. A cohesive sound is created by fusing rock, hip-hop, and musical theatre influences.

Germantown, Maryland native MNERVA moved to Nashville in 2015 to sharpen his skills. He became a hip-hop artist in early 2020 after writing a jukebox musical based on Twenty-One Pilots’ catalogue. In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, MNERVA embraced his rock background and opened up about his fears and struggles with mental health.

As a result, he released Talk Too Much, the bombastic culmination of five years of hardship and self-discovery. Having cemented his sound with this project, MNERVA is ready to challenge conventional wisdom about combining rock and hip hop.

Having learned a lot about the artist, you may want to view his interview, visit his website, and follow him on social media and on Spotify.