Our Laner of the Week is Matthew Donnelly! He’s a native New Englander who moved to New York City in 2011 to write for MTV News! Now, he splits his time freelance writing and editing, taking the occasional bartending shift, working the front desk at a gym for free membership (we hear his towel-boy skills are transcendent), and pursuing the extremely unusual path of film and television acting. He just got his first real film role and will be shooting on location near Boston over Memorial Day! You’re gonna want to keep reading…
What do you like about Mustard Lane or just working events in general?
While life-after-office can be financially stressful, it is so much better for my brain and mood. Working events allows (and even encourages, depending on the event) Laners to joke around and be social with clients and their guests. Laughing and joking and saying absurd things for a paycheck is pretty great.
When you’re not on the Lane…what are you doing?!
You can find me tanking cold brew at Oslo until I’m on the precipice of a panic attack, trying to avoid falling off my CitiBike amid the 11th Ave crosswinds, seeing something foreign at the Angelika, or lamenting the loss of the Rusty Knot and afternoons in its corner booth (RIP).
Favorite restaurant or food?
My mom’s slapdash Christmas-morning breakfast (I’ll advocate for corned beef hash until I die), a late-night chicken club from the corner deli, anything featuring chocolate chips in superfluous quantities.
What is one of your goals for 2025?
To stay vigilant in the face of looming authoritarianism (let’s be honest!) but not let it overwhelm me. Frequently easier said than done.
Any favorite places to travel to and/or stories?!
Ireland is my favorite place in the world — I first traveled there during a high school trip and later did a semester abroad in Dublin, during which I worked at a music magazine called Hot Press. I’d spend weekends wandering a fishing town called Howth that’s close to the city and avoiding getting my hair cut because European barbers were getting entirely too experimental in 2009.
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off from the Lane?
Walking for miles and miles, returning all those missed calls to friends or family members, eavesdropping on the latest undergraduate gossip in Washington Square Park, wondering why Jan Brady had tendrils.
Do you have a favorite concert-going/show experience? Tell us!
I sang with Kelly Clarkson at her Chemistry album release party. Don’t ask for details, I completely blacked out.
What’s your hidden talent?!
Assuming guilt for things that are very conspicuously not my fault (thanks dual Irish and Italian Catholic rearing!)
Sweet or salty?
Salty, with respect to food and disposition
Now that you can check off being Laner of the Week, if you could have your dream job tomorrow, what would it be?
Anything that doesn’t involve monthly check-ins, quarterly reports, or financial bottom-lines. I’d love to keep writing, acting, and enjoying time with people I care about.
What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
I can be a slob, but I never leave dirty dishes in the sink.
What life lesson did you learn the hard way?
You can’t avoid hurt — heartbreak and disappointment will find you eventually, and in ways for which you probably haven’t prepared. Instead of aiming to outrun trauma, cultivate a network of people and things that can buoy you when times get tough.
Summer’s comin’ up…any non-Laner plans?!
Complaining about how hot it is, eagerly awaiting fall.
What’s a brand or event that you would love to represent or work should the chance ever arise?
Anything that allows me to take home garbage bags full of canapés.
How do you stay inspired?
Once I find a book or movie I like, I devour the creators’ other works. I forgot how funny a lot of Capote was, and re-reading some of his old work recently has completely kickstarted some of my dormant comedic impulses.
To learn more about Matt, check out their instagram @mscottdonnelly
While you’re at it…you should read last week’s Laner of the Week too!