On a quiet afternoon, Matthew Mozingo’s home carries the quiet energy of someone who spends a lot of time creating. Cables trace the floor, guitars lean on their stands, and soft lamplight replaces the day’s brightness. Equipment is tucked neatly across the living room and kitchen, blending into the space rather than overwhelming it. Plants fill the space giving it an easy, calm feeling, the kind that seem to hum with creative energy even in silence.
Mozingo, 25, grew up in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area. After graduating from James Madison University in 2023 with a degree in education history, he realized his passion was elsewhere. By October 2022, he had made the decision that he wanted to pursue music after graduating. “It made student teaching so much more fun,” he said, “because I was like, this might be the last time I teach.”
For Mozingo, creativity isn’t something that can be forced. He writes and records when inspiration strikes, following what he calls “the excitement.” He believes writer’s block doesn’t really exist. “If you dig a little deeper or finish the bad song, the good one usually comes right behind it.” Often times he treats those “bad” sessions as if they are warm-ups. Sometimes these warm-ups lead to hits, and other times they simply let him release built-up ideas. Whenever he does feel that spark, he follows that excitement.
Mozingo’s music moves fluidly between genres, each album creating its own distinct atmosphere. His most recent release, “Reservoir,” leans into dance and R&B, mixing smooth vocals with upbeat rhythms that invite listeners to move. Before that came “Features II,” a more sensual, R&B-driven collection built around collaboration, with a different featured artist on each track. His earlier album, “Today,” captures a softer side with acoustic, dreamy, and heartfelt tones. Each project, he explained, “has its own universe,” shaped by both the songwriting and the producer he is working with. Sometimes, he added, there isn’t even a plan at first, “it just turns into what it is.”
Most recently, Mozingo released “Tired,” a slower, acoustic-driven collaboration with Joony, blending calm and reflective tones. The single came out on Oct. 17. He also plans to release “Reservoir Remixes” before the end of the year, reimagining songs from his latest album.
When it comes to collaboration, Mozingo approaches it with the same openness and excitement that shapes his songwriting. Two of his albums, “Features” and “Features II”, highlight a different artist on each track. He’s worked with local artists such as Joony, Waasi, JLN and many others, along with music engineers like Taylor Bess, Lexington Bowler, and Mickey D. Some of his solo songs often include input from friends, whether they are musicians or not. He mentioned his friend, Zach Laughlin, who has helped him with some songs despite not having a musical background. “I love his mind,” Mozingo said. “Everybody has some magic that can be thrown in.”
Performing live is where Mozingo’s music truly connects with others. From local vineyards to local venues, he tailors each set to the crowd depending on who he sees in the audience. He mixes music from his albums but also adds covers of songs he thinks the audience would enjoy. He describes his vineyard shows as low pressure, laid back, and family oriented. Still, he enjoys the focus of smaller intimate spaces. His album release show at Sage Bird Ciderworks on Aug. 30 was a different kind of feeling. Mozingo admitted he was feeling nervous beforehand. Before going on stage, he likes to take a few quiet moments to himself but once on stage, he feels most at home. His performances often draw familiar faces– friends, family, and even his sister’s students who’ve heard his songs in class. The sense of community, both in his audience and his collaborators, keeps him grounded.
As he looks to the future, Mozingo hopes to keep evolving as an artist while continuing to make music that connects with others. He wants to expand his audience, collaborate with more artists, and one day take his music overseas. “Touring in Europe would be amazing,” he said, describing it as a long-term goal. Beyond performing, he’s interested in creating more visual content to pair with his songs and even pressing vinyl records in the future. At the heart of it all, his motivation remains simple: to keep following what excites him. “As long as I’m creating and connecting,” he said, “I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.”
