Inside Matt Pacia's 'Mad of Mind'

For so many of us, the unique experience of being a JIS Dragon — living and learning in a culturally rich country while surrounded by people from diverse backgrounds — continues to shape us long after our student days. Class of 2014 Alum Matt Pacia has not only embraced these lingering influences, but he also draws from them to fuel his creative expressions through music — both as the lead singer of the band The Adamant and as a solo artist.

Born and raised in Jakarta before relocating to Manila, Matt credits JIS for instilling in him a worldview he adheres to to this day.

“[At] JIS, we were taught to be global citizens. It’s taken maturity and a lot of phone calls with some of those friends, who are now scattered across the planet, to help me understand the full meaning of that. In short: kindness, humility, gratitude, and don’t ever be shy to reach your circle of friends,” he says. “Most importantly, though, it means to do whatever we can to make this world a better one. Not everyone is fortunate enough to experience an upbringing like that [...] And that’s why I believe that international kids, not only JIS kids, have the power to make all the difference in this silly world.”

Today, Matt is celebrating the recent release of his solo single “Mad of Mind”, which is about the complexities of the human mind. 

“It’s a song about acceptance, a song about anxiety, a song about this world, sensory overload, and a song about stepping on the brake. There’s a ‘mad of mind’ inside everyone, in their heads and their hearts.”

We had the chance to ask him about this milestone achievement and what continues to inspire him in his personal and musical endeavors.

You were born and raised in Jakarta and spent your school years at JIS before moving back to Manila. How has that international upbringing influenced the way you see the world and perhaps even the way you make music?

That international upbringing molded me into the person I am today. Although I may not have realized it at first ( especially when I was younger and less mature), it provided such a grounded outlook of the world. At times, I describe a typical classroom at JIS like an artist having all the colors of paint to work with at any given time.  

The beauty is that it’s not only me, but also my friends, classmates, and generations before. It’s taught us to be respectful, mindful, and, honestly, to love every individual, ethnicity, culture, practice, cuisine, and art! And speaking about food alone, I can’t even begin to describe the sheer excitement amongst the students before every UN Day!

When we were young at JIS, we were taught to be global citizens. It’s taken maturity and a lot of phone calls with some of those friends, who are now scattered across the planet, to help me understand the full meaning of that. In short: kindness, humility, gratitude, and don’t ever be shy to reach your circle of friends. Most importantly, though, it means to do whatever we can to make this world a better one. Not everyone is fortunate enough to experience an upbringing like that. For me, that alone truly humbles me — so much so, at times, it makes me emotional.  And that’s why I believe that international kids, not only JIS kids, have the power to make all the difference in this silly world. 

Your new single “Mad of Mind” marks another creative milestone for you. What inspired this song, and what message do you hope listeners take away from it?

It’s nice now to look back and remember the entire process of the song, from inception to its release. For the meaning of this song, in the moment of writing, I was creating it for me, first and foremost. This is the song that I (Matt) needed at that time, being lost in the lyrics and creating the entire soundscape. Balancing the melodies, the build-up, and the orchestration of all the instruments. I needed to do it because it was my mind that was beat. That “mad of mind” of mine was kicking in. So, what you hear in the end is merely my pure expression of it. 

Music has always been my escape, ever since I was 8. After release, though, I learned that meaning is also subjective; it’s something that changes, and it also differs from person to person. To me now, this song serves as a reminder to keep going and chase the endless pursuit of great art and great music first. There’s no other way. I like to think that everyone experiences a “mad of mind”, which is completely normal. After you embrace it, though, your world may feel lighter. It’s a song that strikes hope, a song about using our voice to speak up, and a song to simply cut through the noise.

“Mad of Mind” is a song about the complexity of one’s own mind. It’s a song about acceptance, a song about anxiety, a song about this world, sensory overload, and a song about stepping on the brake. There’s a “mad of mind” inside everyone, in their heads and their hearts. And when that “mad of mind” kicks in, that’s when it hurts. At the end of the day, we have only the one mind and one heart that we are born with. And that “mad of mind” gets easier when we embrace it. 

You are also the lead singer and guitarist of a band called The Adamant. How is “Mad of Mind” and your approach to making music as a solo artist different from being part of a group?

The biggest difference is how personal this process has been. The writing, arranging, and creating the musical soundscape/journey — to put it simply: nerding out on my music software (Logic Pro). The performance of guitars, and finally the singing, it’s me that poured into it, and that’s something that is honestly new for me. Seeing it through from start to finish, of course, with a little help, support, and push from friends all around. 

“Mad of Mind” is co-produced (mixed and mastered) by Clark Cunanan, who’s my best friend, the bassist of The Adamant, a music engineer, and a music industry professional. And by the way, the awesome bass that you hear, it’s all Clark. Being in a band, you come up with some lines, maybe a melody, a chord progression, drum beat, bass-line, then you show it to your crew, proceeding to jam it out. In a band, everyone’s got their own flavor to add — and that, too, is beautiful! If anything, what I miss most is the iterating, practicing, and sheer fun with a group of boys just like The Adamant. It, too, was destiny to meet them after graduating alongside the Class of 2014.

Most artists or bands have talented teams and friends behind them anyway, so sending much love to all the people helping me behind the scenes for Dott Matt. 

Looking back at your time at JIS, are there particular experiences, teachers, or memories that helped shape your artistic path or the way you approach your creative ventures today?

Looking back, it’s honestly hard to pick. I have been so blessed to be taught by such wonderful human beings. A range of personalities, wisdom, and, of course, humor throughout them all. And really, there is such a range! One is a life Japanese Sensei, another is a musical legend in his own righteousness, some art teachers who live on art’s terms, and lastly, a history teacher, as well as a computer teacher who both play “World of Warcraft”. Ain’t that interesting?

All I have left is humility and gratitude to ALL of my teachers for teaching an eccentric kid like me. And yes, even if there was indeed too much homework at the time! The best part, though (and I’m truthful when I say this), is ALL the friends you make along the way. Growing up with kids with all unique backgrounds and stories, it almost feels like a fever dream, but it isn’t! Looking back, I’m inspired by all of my friends, especially the Class of 2014, to whom I’ll say – what’s up yo!? 

Of course, my family, who’s always put me up to the test of what it takes to be a great, kind person, with down-to-earth values. My parents are the real superheroes of this story — parents who are just that generous to send me and my courageous little brother through an education and experience like that. Love you guys! 

At the end of it all, Dott Matt is bigger than just me, Matt. And most especially, bigger than just commercial success, too. While it is true, it’s my hopes and dreams to be rocking it out on world stages, that isn’t the main slice of cake.

Dott Matt is about being honest with ourselves, staying true to the music, staying true to the rock ’n roll mantra, and staying true to the art and process of it all — just like how my heroes did before me.