BUTCHIE Talks ‘Gaslight,’ Identity and Reinvention

Matthew Waldman is returning to a body of writing he once set aside. Recording as BUTCHIE, the artist, poet, designer, and educator is using music to revisit questions of identity, memory, and emotional manipulation.

His renewed focus on songwriting began in 2024 while clearing out a New York City apartment as a long relationship was ending. Rediscovering old poems and lyrics led to a collaboration with producer Peter Cattermoul of Teleman, who helped develop material from that archive. Their work became EVERPRESENCE, released Sept. 10, 2026, through MOREMEN Music.

Although design became Waldman’s primary career, music had been part of his life since childhood. His mother sang, and his father played trombone. Waldman later performed poetry and music at New York open mics and recorded songs with Soichi Terada while living in Tokyo. His design work included the fashion brand NOOKA, and his career has continued across art, education, and creative practice.

“Gaslight,” a track from EVERPRESENCE, draws on what Waldman describes as experiences of manipulation during a relationship that lasted more than two decades. He says writing the song helped him process its ending before the subject expanded into a broader examination of manipulation in public life.

The music brings together disco rhythms, vintage synthesizer influences and contemporary electronic production. Its video, directed and CG-designed by Kota Kawamura, places BUTCHIE amid shifting graphics and neon imagery, extending the song’s sense of disruption into its visual presentation.

In the following interview, BUTCHIE discusses reclaiming a childhood nickname, trusting creative collaborators and developing music for a planned 2027 album.

Watch “Gaslight” Official Music Video

From Design to Songwriting

You’ve worked in music, poetry, fashion, and design. How have these experiences shaped your music?

It’s an interesting question. My work in design and fashion has always centered on communicating concepts and feelings without words. With music, I contribute words! The common thread is using material to convey complex concepts and emotions in an attractive, subliminal manner.

BUTCHIE comes from your childhood nickname. Why did you choose it for this project?

I was bullied quite a lot in childhood. I had long hair and looked like a tomboy, so i was often misgendered. My mom called me “Butchie” which, in the context of my reality, was ironic. I felt this nickname and the context made it a perfect band name for music exploring one’s place in the universe, and also by reclaiming it shows how I’ve navigated to meet social expectations.

Turning an Archive Into EVERPRESENCE

You turned some of your old writing into songs for EVERPRESENCE. How did you choose which pieces to use?

To be honest, there was sooooo much – over 100 poems. I let Peter [my musical half] choose the ones he felt lent themselves the best as pop songs. After his selection, I modified stanzas to be more pop-like for a chorus (for example).

Did writing “Gaslight” help you work through the end of your long relationship?

Yes, writing “Gaslight” was essential in processing the grief, confusion, and resolution following the end of an over 20-year relationship, but it evolved into a song about gaslighting as a negative trend in society as a whole.

The song connects personal experiences with wider social issues. What message do you hope people take from it?

I hope listeners feel validated in their feelings and are inspired to trust their intuition over external narrative manipulation. In everything I do, I want people to question their reality and see what they can do to make things better.

Disco, Electronics and Creative Collaboration

How do you bring together disco, electronic music, and modern sounds in your songs?

By anchoring songs in driving disco rhythms with vintage synths and sharp modern digital production elements to keep the sound current yet classic. It’s also about intentionality – what do we want the listener to feel? Do we want to hide something serious in a playful soundscape? Songs are like painting, really.

What was it like working with director Kota Kawamura on the “Gaslight” video?

Working with Kota Kawamura was fantastic; he translated the energetic tension and visual dynamic of the track perfectly into a compelling visual piece. He wanted full creative control, and quite frankly, this is one way I like to collaborate. It gets better results when the creative partners have a good sense of authorship. I think he did a great job with a limited budget.

Bringing BUTCHIE to the Stage

You’re preparing to perform live. What can fans expect from a BUTCHIE show?

A high-energy, visually captivating show that combines live performance with expressive visual storytelling and danceable grooves.

You’re working on a new album for 2027. Will it sound similar to EVERPRESENCE, or are you trying something new?

Sonically, it will be similar to EVERPRESENCE, but thematically it will be a bit more psychological.

Before we wrap up, what’s next for BUTCHIE, and what would you like to share with your fans?

More music videos, new singles, and live dates are on the way. Thank you to everyone listening and connecting with BUTCHIE! Also, don’t buy anything in PET bottles or plastic containers unless necessary.

Beyond EVERPRESENCE, BUTCHIE has released a reinterpretation of Sylvester’s “Stars.” The standalone single arrived Oct. 15, 2026, and is available on Apple Music.

Follow BUTCHIE: Official Website | Instagram | Spotify