Meet Matthew Thomas | Creator of Super Cool Radio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
One of the biggest things I discovered early on in this venture is that consistent social media posts are very important. Every night before I go to bed, I schedule posts that will be published the next day. By doing this it helps keep me organized and reduces some stress. If my schedule changes the next day, I am not scrambling to make social media posts.

Another habit is I always strive to learn something new about podcasting. Whether it is a new editing style, different ways to create promotional graphics, or something more simple like a new question to ask during an interview, I am always studying up and learning.

One more habit I want to discuss is saying thank you. If someone helps make an interview possible, I thank them in the interview description and send them a private message as well. If Super Cool Radio reaches a milestone like a certain number of likes or followers, I make a post thanking everyone for the support. The habit of saying thank you has gotten me very far and put me into contact with some great people. I feel this habit is the most important for success.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think the biggest thing that sets Super Cool Radio apart is the focus on up and coming musicians and bands. Many podcasts and radio stations focus on established bands or musicians signed to a label. I like to look at what the future holds. I select which bands I think have what it takes to break out in the next few years. Super Cool Radio showcases amazing bands that deserve airtime and recognition for their talents. Each episode I release is a snapshot into what the next generation of music could be.

The proudest moment for me so far was when I released an interview with drummer Bryan Knickerbocker last year and later that same day an owner of a drumstick company reached out to him about an endorsement deal. The owner saw my interview with him on Instagram and really liked it. My goal is to give these musicians a platform for others to see. If they make a few new fans then I am satisfied. Music is very important in my life and if I can assist up and coming musicians in anyway then I am happy.

Everyday I wake up excited to see what opportunities are waiting for me. No matter how many interviews I do, I never get tired or burnt out. I am always excited that I have the opportunity to chat with someone and understand their story. This year I am especially excited. I have been working hard to refine my video filming and editing skills and looking for new and different ways to present each episode.

I am respectful and friendly to everyone I meet. You never know what contacts they may have. Some interviews have resulted from meeting someone at a show, from a person reaching out to me, or because I interviewed a band’s friend. Building mutually beneficial relationships starts when both sides respect each other.

Operating a podcast is a real grind especially when you are the only one producing it. I handle all social media accounts, film and edit the interviews, and book the guests. Plus I travel to different cities for in person interviews. The biggest thing I had to overcome was learning the industry. I started when I was 21 with no experience in podcasting or broadcasting. I just decided one day I was going to create a radio station and learn as I go. I had to learn how to produce a podcast and what equipment I need to make it sound professional. There was an extreme learning curve when I started.

Another lesson I learned is to post frequently on social media, making sure the posts engage the audience. Even though many people use social media, figuring out the best ways to reach and build your audience is not as easy as it sounds. I am constantly trying different things on social media to see what connects with people. The landscape of social media platforms is always changing and you have to stay up to date on trends because what worked yesterday might not work today.

The main takeaway for people who watch or listen to Super Cool Radio is there are so many talented musicians out there and most do not receive recognition. I do not expect everyone to watch or listen to every episode I release, but if people find three or four new bands they like then it is mission accomplished for me. Everything I do is to support these awesome bands in any way I can.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am born and raised in South Bend, Indiana and I do know there are some unique things to do in the area. The first thing I would show someone is Notre Dame University. When I meet people who are from another city Notre Dame is the first place they ask about. It is a great area to eat and walk around campus, plus see the Snite Museum of Art. South Bend is full of interesting history, so the next day I would go to the History Museum which houses both the Studebaker and the South Bend History Museums. It is a great place to check out the history of South Bend and see a vast collection of cool Studebaker vehicles. Four Winds Field is home to the South Bend Cubs and the baseball games are always a fun time. The newly built Four Winds casino is also a destination to have some delicious food and maybe play some slots. Live music is very important to me and every weekend there are concerts at the local venues, so I would end the week by taking someone to a concert. They can see in person the bands I showcase on my show rocking out on stage.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There have been many people who have helped me in some way throughout this venture, but one person who has been with me since day one is my dad. He has been so supportive over the years. Whether it was listening to an interview for quality control, operating the camera, or brainstorming ideas, he is always willing to help. He takes the time to listen to my podcast and always thinks of new and creative ways to present the episodes. I cannot thank him enough for everything. Without his encouragement, Super Cool Radio might not be where it is today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supercoolradiosb/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuperCoolRadio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supercoolradiosb

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa79HEUEzXAV9CLMs2AUiBg

Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/supercoolradio Merch store: https://supercoolradio.threadless.com/ Podcast channel: anchor.fm/supercoolradio

Image Credits
With Eric Jayk of Wildstreet photo – Taken by Eric Jayk Promo picture with Crystal of The Almas – Taken by Crystal Teigland