by alexandra thomas
photo by alexandra thomas
Prophets and Outlaws originated in a Jesuit high school set in the heart of metropolitan Dallas when two brothers and a best friend came together in their shared love of music. Almost a decade and five EP’s later, the now band of five boasts a massive fan base that spans ten states across the South and Midwest and an active online community of more than 25,000. Their commanding instrumental groove, relatable lyrics, and authentic five part harmonies have sent them to the top of the music charts and earned the band over two million Spotify streams. While on the road over 100 days a year across the country, this unity is extended as an invitation to their fans every night. Each night the connection forged is real. “Our fans support us like family would. It doesn't matter how far away from home we might be; they make us feel like we are right where we belong.” While recording the new album, PAO aimed to reciprocate that appreciation and prove that the feeling is mutual.
What is your first music related memory?
Matt: “Wildflower Festival in Richardson right around 2000 or 2001. My dad took me and my whole family to see Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). We stayed all night and I got to miss school the next day.”
James: “My dad had a white drumset in the house and I used to sit on the throne. I remember not being anywhere close to touching the pedals and now that I think about it, I had some existential moment about that I'm now coming to terms with as I recall this story.”
Steven: “Mom and dad singing songs to us as little kids. No matter the activity, there was a song to sing for that occasion. From mom singing ‘I like bread and butter’ while making us lunch, to dad singing ‘I want to rock with my baby all night long’ while I sat in his lap. From a young age they taught me how music can bring so much joy.”
What drew you to the music industry?
Matt: “I was just trying to impress girls back when I started music. I could sing a little bit and I thought it would be a good way to get a girl interested in me. Years later and I’m now trying to impress my kids with my music. I guess I need validation for some reason [laughs].”
James: “My dad was in the music industry on both the artist and label side. I never really considered any other industry, I love music, it's in my veins.”
Steven: “My dad was a drummer, and mom taught music at a pre-school. Growing up we were always listening to music, singing, watching my brother and dad play drums... so I knew I wanted to play an instrument. I got a guitar in middle school and couldn't put it down. When I was a freshman at Jesuit high school, I had the opportunity to perform at a prayer service. My hands were shaking, there were 1,000 people there, and I had to start the song. After the first few notes all the nerves went away, and it felt like everything slowed down. The song ended and we got a standing ovation. I was hooked, I knew at that moment this is what I am supposed to do. Putting in hours of practice, and then feeling the reward of getting to perform in front of people kept me hungry to learn more, and perform any chance I got.”
photo by alexandra thomas
How did you all meet?
Matt: “The setting was the high school band hall. Steven was playing acoustic guitar, and I needed a guitar player for the Senior Concert ‘Jesuit-Palooza.’ He was only 15 at the time but he was the best guitar player at the school.”
Steven: “James and I are brothers. I met Matt in high school. He was performing at a Jesuit event for seniors, and his guitar player didn't know how to play a John Mayer song that he had seen me play at a prayer service with James. He came up to me in the band hall and asked if I would perform it that night. That was the first time I performed with Matt, and then we started playing backyard parties and college bars the next year.”
Where did the name Prophets and Outlaws come from?
Matt: “The name Prophets and Outlaws explains our sound. We call upon the soulfulness of the prophets of country, soul, and southern rock music while invoking the outlaw spirit of the lifelong troubadours themselves.”
James: “Matt, Steven and myself sat down and came to terms about the musical and artistic direction that we wanted to achieve moving forward. We had a vibe and a sound that we liked, now we needed a name. I sat down with my friend Zeb and we started thinking about names. We went down the rabbit hole. We always came back to the idea of one's morals and values versus the perception of that person. We both like old westerns and enjoy that the protagonist very well may be crass, probably drinks too much and may have gunned a few people down but he stands up for the weaker, the mistreated and the castaways. That very person may end up becoming an Outlaw in the eyes of the law but for the people whose lives have been greatly impacted and saved he's no outlaw. All this nonsense led us to the notion that a Prophet and an Outlaw could be two sides of the same coin, and that was it. We did a quick google search and were floored when there was no trademark or copyrights anywhere.”
Steven: “James and a friend of his came up with it. We came up with 1,000 terrible names, and when I heard that one I was relieved that the process would be over! We liked the duality of it. Our music has never been just one thing, and so we thought Prophets and Outlaws fit us.”
What has been your biggest struggle in the music industry?
Matt: “Losing friends to other jobs and callings. We’ve had lots of great musicians, managers and engineers over the years. Sometimes they are called away for one reason or another and it’s tough to see them go. The upside is meeting new friends and bandmates, like our new bass player JCoop.”
James: “Our biggest struggle has been finding our ‘lane.’ People need to categorize things and they want to put us in a box, they just don't know what box we should go in.”
Steven: “Playing music is the easy part. Running a business and doing all the day to day stuff it takes to be successful can be tough.”
What musicians have helped you to grow as an artist?
Matt: “Larry Joe Taylor has really taken us under his wing. He’s taught us what it means to do it all from playing, to traveling, and writing, as well as promoting and hosting events. Deryl Dodd has also been an inspiration. Since meeting him, he’s written with us, shown up to random singer-songwriter nights and is always willing to let us bounce an idea or song off of him.”
James: “Marc Broussard and his team have been very helpful. One, Marc and his band slaps. Two, Doug has consistently told us the truth, something that we value tremendously and is hard to come by.”
Steven: “Larry Joe Taylor and his community have been great at giving us advice as well as giving us opportunities to share our music with new fans. Everyone in our band has different influences, so we all share new music with each other and help each other grow as artists.”
What's your favorite song off of your latest album Dreamer?
Matt: “My favorite song off of the new record was written in about three hours out in Nashville. Steven, I and a fella named Mark McGuinn wrote a song about letting love find you, rather than chasing it called ‘The Best Way to Find Love.’ The lyrics are real and it sounds amazing on the record.”
James: “‘6 New Strings’ is my favorite song on Dreamer.”
Steven: “‘Dreamer’ is my favorite. I love the feel of it, and the message really resonates with me.”
Which of your lyrics has the most meaning to you?
Matt: “Dreamer really speaks to me as a musician chasing my life’s calling. It’s an emotionally and physically challenging path we’ve chosen as a band on the road, but it’s what we were meant to do and we’ll die running down the dream.”
James: “The opening line to Dreamer — ‘What will it read on your headstone when you're gone?’”
Steven: “In ‘Soul Shop’ Matt and I wrote the pre chorus on the way to the studio. ‘When I'm down, head under water, to ease my woes, I sing out my sins with the ones I love the most.’ My family is very close, and we are all there for each other no matter what. Music is something that has always brought us closer together, so this line is very personal to me. No matter what kind of day, week, month, or year you have had, when we all get together we are going to laugh and sing. Being around family that has unconditional love for each other is a very special thing.”
What inspires you to create new music?
Matt: “I’m inspired by my band and their creativity. It drives me to contribute the best I can. Anytime I write something new, they are the first people I think about. Will they like it? Will they hate it? I need to know.”
Steven: “Writing is how I get my thoughts and feelings out. Sometimes it's a light hearted song to convey feelings of joy, and sometimes it's deeper feelings that I need to express. Creating music gives me an energy I can't get anywhere else.”
photo by alexandra thomas
What is one song from any artist that you wish you wrote and why?
Matt: “Baby Shark by Pink Fong because my kids love it.”
Steven: “Desperado by the Eagles. The lyrics are so creative. The way that song tells a story, but not in a literal way is beautiful. Melodies always come easier to me than lyrics, so when I hear a masterpiece like that I try to learn from it.”
What are some things you've experienced that you never considered before about being in a band?
Matt: “The experience of hearing our songs on the radio, it still gives us goosebumps.”
James: “You get to meet so many different people from so many walks of life and see so much of the county that most people don't get to experience.”
Steven: “You spend more time with your band members than anyone else in the world. Learning how to keep a positive environment and keep making each other laugh is key. We also get to meet so many people from all over. I like hearing their different stories and backgrounds. The one thing in common everyone at a concert has is they are all there because music brings them joy.”
What are your biggest hopes for the future of the band?
Matt: “We hope to keep releasing fun and inspiring Southern Soulful music for years to come. Hopefully we’ll even get a #1 song someday, fingers crossed!”
James: “My biggest hope is that we grow and are able to continue to do this indefinitely. I'd also like to go on a world tour [laughs].”
Steven: “To keep playing shows for our fans, and for them to keep singing our songs back to us. There's no better feeling.”