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!