Matt Costa

Artists like Lady Gaga and Kesha may be ruling the charts these days but there’s still great music to be found.  Sometimes you may have to dig deep, but if you do you might uncover a gem like Matt Costa.  Matt is a 28 year old singer/songwriter from Huntington Beach. CA.   He’s a former skateboarder that turned to music after an injury kept him from the sport.  He picked up a guitar, started writing songs and never looked back.  He’s signed to Jack Johnson’s record label and has toured with Johnson as well as other artists.  Matt’s style of Folk Rock has connected well to audiences, especially overseas in countries such as Australia and New Zealand.  His latest album was released September 21, 2010 and he’s currently working on a new record. You can catch him at the Grey Eagle in Asheville on April 30th.  I recently had the chance to interview Matt before his upcoming show in the area.

What made you decide to make the switch from skateboarding to music?

I HURT MYSELF SKATEBOARDING AND COULDN’T SKATE FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS.  DURING THAT TIME I STARTED LEARNING SONGS AND PLAYING MORE MUSIC.  MY UNCLE HAD GIVEN ME SOME OLD RECORDS TO LEARN FROM, IT WASN’T A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO MUSIC AND I REALLY DIDN’T REALIZE IT UNTIL I WAS TOO FAR GONE.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

I’M REALLY DRAWN TO OLD ENGLISH FOLK BALLADS AND THEIR TWIST ON THE BLUES.  I THINK A LOT OF THAT MUSIC IS PLEASANTLY UNDERSTATED, THERE IS SOMETHING DEEPLY HAUNTING ABOUT IT.  OTHER THAN THAT, I’M REALLY INTO ROLAND KIRK AND DOC WATSON.

What's it been like being signed to Jack Johnson's label and hanging out with those guys?

IT’S BEEN INTERESTING, I’VE BEEN LUCKY OVER THE YEARS TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD AND MEET DIFFERENT SONGWRITERS.  I WISH EVERYONE COULD SEE THE SIDE OF THE BRUSHFIRE ARTISTS THAT I HAVE, THEY ARE ALL REALLY CREATIVE AND PASSIONATE PEOPLE.

What can we expect from you musically in the future?

I’M WORKING ON A NEW RECORD AND ALSO WRITING SONGS FOR AN UPCOMING ALLEN GINSBERG INSPIRED RECORD THAT WILL BE A COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ARTISTS.

 How do you feel about being defined as a folk rock singer?

I LIKE IT, IT MAKES IT EASIER TO WRITE ‘FOLK ROCK’ SONGS.

Have you been to Asheville before and if so how do you like the city?

MY MEMORY’S A BIT HAZY BUT I REMEMBER MOLES IN THE GROUND AND LIZARDS AT THE SPRING, I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING BACK.  THANKS!


Check out www.MattCosta.com for more info

O.A.R.

Sometimes you love a band, then you see them live and they blow you away and you're beyond hooked.  That's what happened to me when my wife took me to see O.A.R. last August.  O.A.R., which stands for "Of A Revolution" is one of those rare bands that when you download their music, you'd rather get the live track then the studio version.  You can't capture the energy and emotion of O.A.R. in the studio, they are a band you have to see live to truly appreciate what they do. The Maryland based band has been a major hit with college campuses over the years but the messages of their songs can connect with anyone at any age.  When you see them live they incorporate jam band aspects with saxophone solos from amazing sax player  Jerry DePizzo.   Lead singer Marc Roberge practically demands that you leave all of life's problems at the gate and lose yourself for a few hours when you see them play.  If you haven't checked out O.A.R. this is one band that you won't regret checking out.  You've probably heard some of their songs and not even realized it.  "This Town" was a track featured heavily on ESPN last year. Also their song "Shattered (turn the car around)" received a decent amount of radio airplay.  If you want to see what what band is really all about though, check out the highlight of their live show "That Was a Crazy Game of Poker", but make sure you check out the 15 minute version, trust me you won't regret it. Be on the lookout for a new album from them this summer.  Check out www.ofarevolution.com for more!

upcoming NC area shows

Here's some shows you should check out comping up!

Citizen Cope
April 10
Orange Peel
Asheville, NC
www.orangepeel.com

Taj Mahal Trio
April 14
Orange Peel
Asheville, NC

Zac Brown Band
April 28
Merlefest Wilkesboro, NC
www.merlefest.com

Matt Costa
Appril 30
Grey Eagle
Asheville, NC
www.mattcosta.com

Jamie Carroll
April 8
Big Shotz Tavern
Winston Salem, NC
www.jamiecarrollmusic.com

The Avett Brothers

By now, especially after the Grammys, almost everyone knows about The Avett Brothers.  They are just another example of great music coming out of North Carolina.  I can't even begin to lump them into a category, they are beyond a label.  I can tell you that they are some of the most brilliant songwriters in the game today.  Who else can pull off a line such as "If I get murdered in the city, don't go revengin' in my name".  If you don't love them after hearing their music, you'll love them after seeing it live.  They leave everything on the stage.  I could go on and on for days about their music and how they can seem like two different bands from "Distraction 74" to "I and Love and You" yet both still when you hear these songs you instantly know "Avett Brothers".

The band started putting records out back in 2000 and they've just been picking up steam ever since.  They've appeared on several of the late night shows, opened for Dave Matthews and now are selling out their own Headlining tour. As mentioned they performed at the Grammys this year with legend Bob Dylan and Mumford and Sons. If you haven't heard The Avett Brothers, well maybe you have?  Just in the past few months I've personally noticed their songs in the background on "American Idol" and the show "Parenthood".   If you haven't seen them live and you can't make it out, go check out the Palladia channel and look for "The Avett Brothers Live: Volume 3" you won't be disappointed!  If you're wondering what songs to download then wonder no more! If you're more into the bluegrass song check out stuff from some of their earlier albums.  If you're more into the piano driven sound check out some stuff from the more recent albums.  Either way it's amazing stuff and it doesn't matter what you check out it's all good.  The Avett Brothers have been in the studio recently with Rick Rubin recording a new album which I'm sure will be hugely anticipated.  So be sure to be on the lookout for that!

Album Review: Fixin to Die by G. Love

From the opening song of this album you can feel the influence of producers Scott and Seth Avett.  Even with that influence this is still distinctively a G. Love album.  He goes at this one sans his band "Special Sauce" and it's a sharp departure from what  most G. Love fans are used to hearing, aside from maybe "Milk and Sugar". G. Love packed up and headed to Asheville, NC with the Avett Brothers to record this very bluesy album and you can hear the south coming through the songs.  The opening track "Fixin to Die" is a cover of a song by delta blues legend Bukka White. This track definitely feels like it was born to be played in a arena.  From here the album stays strong and you can especially hear The Avett Brothers' influence on "You've Got to Die"  and Seth Avett even sings on the song, in fact the Avett Brothers play on nearly every song.  One of the best tracks on the album is "Just Fine".  It has a breezy feel and it almost demands that you have your windows down and sunglasses on while you're listening to this tune.  One of the most blues influenced songs is "Heaven", the first time I heard the opening of this song I thought I had accidentally hit play on a Muddy Waters song.  If G. Love was setting out to make a delta blues influenced record he achieved that.  Finally after years of recording it appears G. Love has recorded his masterpiece. Fixin to Die lives up to the hype and then some.

Check out: "Fixin to Die", "The Road", "Just Fine"

Ryan Adams...folk rock star?

Have you ever assumed just because you knew all about an artist that everyone else did too? Then suddenly you throw a name out there and you get crazy looks? Well a couple of weeks ago I was watching American Idol when Paul McDonald (someone I will be writing about soon) performed a Ryan Adams song. I was ecstatic to hear one of my favorite artists on Idol.  After his performance, Jennifer Lopez pointed out that she liked the song but she wasn't familiar with the artist.  I was stunned, but I don't know why.
Ryan Adams is a prolific songwriter, he's recorded over ten albums, but mainstream success isn't something he's achieved.  It's worth noting that mainstream success isn't something he's exactly sought either. Without radio airplay most people just aren't going to hear an artist like Ryan Adams or many of the artists I plan to write about.

I first came across Ryan Adams back in 2001 shortly after September 11th.  He had a video for a song called "New York New York" that received a slight amount of airplay. I immediately bought his album "Gold" and I thought it was amazing. I loved his mix of folk and alt-country. If you listen to one song off that album you must listen to "The Rescue Blues". The next several years I listened to everything he had to offer and realized he was one of the most broad songwriters and musicians I had ever heard.

Ryan Adams started his career playing in the band Whiskeytown in the Raleigh, NC area.  They released three albums in the late 90's and their music is definitely worth checking out.  Around 2000, the band called it quits and Adams launched his solo career. He first released the album "Heartbreaker" in 2000 and one of the songs off that record, "To Be Young", was featured  in the movie "Old School".  Adams has continued to release albums steadily since his debut.  He always has a story to tell and when you listen to his songs he makes you feel like you're sitting right beside him tapping your feet right along with the song.  Through his music you can really feel a connection to his life experiences.  His lyrics can be a bit abstract at times but the more time you spend with the songs the more you feel that connection.

I think everyone in life has those songs that take you back to a moment in life. Sometimes it's a certain song or just a song by a certain artist. I met my wife on June 25th, 2007, the next day I bought the album "Easy Tiger" by Ryan Adams.  Thanks to that album and his music it's like having a time machine to go back in time and relive that wonderful week.  That's what great artists have the ability to do, transport you back to another time and place. Ryan Adams is one of those artists.

Three songs to listen to: "The Rescue Blues", "Oh My Sweet Carolina", "Let it Ride"
Check out Facebook.com/ryanadams to learn more!

welcome

 Well hello there and welcome to the blog about real singers and songs. Starting today I'm going to be sharing with you some music artists that I believe deserve a little more attention. I'll be sharing with you national acts and also regional acts from here in North Carolina, mainly from the triad region. I'll be doing some interviews with the artists and bring you the latest news about the artist. This blog will be spotlighting a new artist weekly. I'll also be doing some music reviews of albums and singles.  If you or your band would like to be featured just send me a email Zragan85@gmail.com 

Thanks for stopping by and come back! Our first featured artist is going to be Ryan Adams.  He's from right here in North Carolina!