NYS Music 202​1

Category: New York Singles

  • Hudson Valley Songwriter Ryan Martin Recruits Mikaela Davis for “At Dusk”

    The latest single from Hudson Valley singer-songwriter Ryan Martin, “At Dusk”, features Rochester’s Mikaela Davis. Perhaps your breakup with your COVID-bae was hard or maybe you’re just not over your breakup from 3 years ago (who isn’t?). Ryan and Mikaela know how to pull at just the right heart strings bringing a signature kind of love song that is honest, emotional lyrics wrapped in gorgeous, bittersweet melodies and irresistible melodic hooks. 

    Ryan Martin

    Now, you might have heard this song before because it originally appeared on Wandercease, released in November 2020. However, in the height of COVID-19 havoc Martin’s exceptional songwriting was praised by the press for its vibrant, modern take on Americana and Martin’s exceptional songwriting, yet buried underneath reality’s chaos. The COVID pandemic taught us all a little something but Martin took it upon himself to re-asses his priorities.

    The songs on Wandercease are mini-epics of personal storytelling, and Mikaela Davis keeps returning with perfect harmony vocals and the thrilling sound of her harp

    Paste

    Back during lackluster live streams alone in his apartment for a virtual audience his struggle to sustain his sobriety became apparent. Putting music aside, he decided to enroll in school to pursue a career in substance-abuse counseling. A new perspective led him to truly process the reason for writing music: to identify the source of someone’s pain, conveniently also the goal as a substance-abuse counselor. He admits that he aims to connect with people around the struggles that bind them together.

    Perfection us damn near impossible to come by and it almost never happens, Yet somehow, someway, Ryan Martin hit that rare pocket in time and captured perfection

    American Songwriter

    With the help of veteran producer/engineer Paul Kolderie (Pixies, Radiohead) remixing the song, “At Dusk” now has new flavor to it with more highlights of the sublime harmonies between Martin and guest singer/harpist Mikaela Davis, with an additional rock and roll energy in the anthemic choruses. Martin recently showcased at the Mondo.NYC conference with a live performance filmed at Old Soul Studios in Catskill, NY featuring musicians Jared Samuel (Kevin Morby), Nick Kinsey (Waxahatchee), David Lizmi (Fun), and Connor Grant (Sean Lennon).

  • Jazz Artist José James Releases Original Holiday Song “Christmas in New York”

    José James has released “Christmas in New York” ahead of his first Christmas album, Merry Christmas from José James, due out on November 19. The original Christmas track follows the single release of “My Favorite Things” featuring acclaimed saxophonist Marcus Strickland.

    James is a Minneapolis native who spent most of his career in New York, and was discovered by Gilles Peterson in London before his major label debut with Blue Note Records. He has produced and written 11 albums covering the best of jazz, pop, hip-hop and R&B. In 2017, José made his screen debut with a performing role in Fifty Shades Darker. He now lives in Amsterdam with Talia Billig, his partner and Grammy nominated songwriter.

    José James

    Co-written by James’ Grammy-nominated partner Talia Billig, “Christmas in New York” features the all-star trio of Aaron Parks (piano), Ben Williams (bass) and Jharis Yokley (drums).

    I wrote ‘Christmas in New York’ for people like myself who aren’t able to see their families another year. That kind of picture-perfect scene of people throwing snowballs and making a snowman in Central Park and Wollman Rink and that whole beautiful Manhattan Christmas… It was my dream as a kid, and then I got to live it. There’s a lot of love in that. 

    José James

    Merry Christmas from José James, from Rainbow Blonde Records, celebrates the holiday season while honoring classic jazz and pop records of the 1950s. Combining the classic jazz-crooner elegance of Frank Sinatra and Nat “King” Cole with the earthy sophistication of soul legends Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, the ten track album is an auditory holiday experience like no other.

    A 13-date tour to support the album will launch at SF Jazz in San Francisco on November 27th and conclude at New York’s City Winery on December 14th.

    Merry Christmas from José James Track Listing

    1. Christmas in New York ****
    2. This Christmas
    3. The Christmas Song
    4. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
    5. The Christmas Waltz
    6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
    7. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
    8. Christmas Day ****
    9. My Favorite Things (feat. Marcus Strickland)
    10. White Christmas
      **** represents original recording

    José James 2021 Tour Dates

    November 27 – SF Jazz – San Francisco, CA
    November 28 – SF Jazz – San Francisco, CA
    November 30 – Jazz Alley – Seattle, WA
    December 1 – Jazz Alley – Seattle, WA
    December 2 – The Old Church – Portland, OR
    December 4 – Kuumbwa – Santa Cruz
    December 5 – Masonic Lodge – Los Angeles, CA
    December 7– MIM – Phoenix, AZ
    December 9 –The Lensic – Santa Fe,
    December 11 – Dakota – Minneapolis, MN
    December 12 – Dakota – Minneapolis, MN
    December 13 – City Winery – Chicago, IL
    December 14 – City Winery – New York, NY

  • Marco Benevento Releases Single “At The End Or The Beginning”

    “At The End Or The Beginning” was released by Marco Benevento October 27, 2021 just before playing a two night run at Levon Helm Studio in Woodstock. The track opens with a satisfying bass hook and at first listen felt anthemic, yet atmospheric; much like stepping into the sun after a week of rain.

    Single cover for Marco Benevento’s “At The End Or The Beginning”


    It was only natural to want to listen to the song again and again. Repeatability is where the magic happened somewhere between the end or the beginning. After a few listens, the depth of the song began to present itself. While it would have been easy to write about all of the pain and suffering human kind has endured together, Marco chose a path less travelled.

    Link to In Depth Interview below


    “At The End Or The Beginning” presented an optimistic mindset for how to approach the world we are in today without ever touching a level of toxicity. It could be asserted that listening to a song like this could have real benefits to the mindset for anyone struggling to see tomorrow. The catchy groove that does not bombard could easily be on for quite a few cycles without noticing. 


    Marco Benevento has continuously demonstrated what it means to be an artist, not just a musician. His music, though seemingly fun, and out there, has never consisted of one layer in meaning. Zen master? Could be…

    Does a photograph mark the end or the begining?


    For more on Marco Benevento’s creative process, studio tour and thoughts on the Hudson Valley, check out NYSMusic exclusive in-depth interview by clicking here!

    marco benevento

    Marco Benevento Upcoming Tour Dates

    November 11 – Portsmouth, NH – The Press Room (Sold Out)
    November 12 – Portsmouth, NH – The Press Room (Sold Out)
    November 13 – Portsmouth, NH – The Press Room (Sold Out)
    November 27 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
    December 11 – Miami, FL – North Beach Music Festival
    February 25 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall
    February 26 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
    April 7 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
    April 8 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
    April 9 – Fairfield, CT – Stage One

  • Ian Lockwood creates satirical yet skilled pop with “Not Like Other Girls”

    Comedian and singer-songwriter Ian Lockwood will release his second EP, Not Like Other Girls, on October 22. The title track, also the lead single, pokes fun at the “I’m not like other girls” phenomenon, which depicts young women acting excessively quirky or unique in order to set themselves apart from the rest of their gender, often for male attention or due to internalized misogyny. Famous examples include P!nk and Avril Lavigne’s mid-2000s output, as well as the majority of love interests in John Green novels. The meme has entire Reddit subs dedicated to it, and now a pop anthem:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaiRqv3jD7s

    Lockwood follows a long tradition of comedians crossing over into musical territory, including “Weird” Al Yankovic, Flight of the Conchords, and most recently, Bo Burnham. However, he has bigger aspirations than novelty fodder. In September, he told PASTE Magazine of his goal to challenge the notion of comedy songs as dance floor clearers.

    I want people to be able to throw [my music] on at a party and not everybody goes, ‘What the hell is this? Turn this off, next.’ I think if you’re a fan of comedy music, and you’ve ever hosted a party and tried to sneak a comedy song onto a playlist, you know the pain of people getting upset and asking to change the song. So the philosophy is good comedy and good music at the same time.

    Ian Lockwood to PASTE Magazine, September 2021

    Lockwood released the EP’s second single, “No Homo,” on October 1. Lyrically, the song is about two straight “bros” who accidentally-on-purpose keep finding themselves in steamy predicaments. To add insult to injury, it’s backed by a flamboyant nu-disco beat that makes it hard to believe the narrator’s insistence that everything is straight and narrow. The second half of the song goes on an entertaining tangent, where the narrator and his subject time-travel to the 1800s as star-crossed besties.


    On October 22, Ian Lockwood is having a release show for Not Like Other Girls at Union Hall in Brooklyn. Listeners can also expect third single “Your Dad” to drop on the same day.

  • Miss Madeline Reconciles With Pop Stardom In “Lullaby”

    Modern pop phenomenon Miss Madeline has a confession to make with her new single and music video, “Lullaby.”

    Miss Madeline

    Having spent much of last year providing escapist thrills for locked down fans around the world via a series of single releases and exciting collaborations, “Lullaby” and “Bad Girls” mark the launch of a daring new era for Miss Madeline, lit up with decadent sensuality, Y2K pop power, and ever-increasing artistry. Both singles herald Miss Madeline’s soon-to-be-announced debut EP, with growing anticipation after performing four consecutive sold-out shows in New York City and Los Angeles this summer.

    I’m coming to terms with being perceived as heartless, ruthless, and realizing it goes hand in hand with being the ‘life of the party’ and a ‘money machine’. It’s about getting caught up in the pop star lifestyle. I think I would call this my most vulnerable track thus far in terms of admitting to this concept of being blinded by the limelight

    Miss Madeline

    The Jersey Girl-turned-NYC It Girl has already earned attention from a range of outlets – spanning PAPER, Office mag, and even Grindr – with tracks like “Attention,” as well as its high-energy remix featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 11 winner Yvie Oddly. Recent tracks including “Platinum,” “Ready Set Go,” and Ayla D’Lyla x Miss Madeline’s “Life Could Be Sweet” have been ascending influential playlists around the globe; all are joined by official music videos streaming now via YouTube. With new music on the horizon, Miss Madeline is set to take over the world.

    Lullaby follows Miss Madeline’s summer single “Bad Girls” and its Leander Capuzzo-directed, megsuperstarprincess-styled companion visual, met with praise by MTV, PAPER, Office Mag among other outlets – the latter of which writing, “The video calls upon Bad Girls Club and Girls Gone Wild, as a set of the fiery musician’s sexy girlfriends play-fight on a trashed mattress, pour drinks on each other, and tackle the ‘resident bad boy,’ autographing his abs.”

  • Spaghetti Eastern Music Releases Solo Electric Guitar Score from Dance Piece “2 x 2 x 4”

    In collaboration with P.S. 122 co-founder and performance artist Charles Dennis, Spaghetti Eastern Music today releases a solo electric guitar score for the dance piece “2 X 2 X 4.” Recorded live at Avant-Garde Arama Festival in Woodstock in July 2021, the three-track, 20-minute collection is available as a digital download exclusively on Spaghetti Eastern Music’s Bandcamp site, via Bad Egg Records 3100. 

    spaghetti eastern music 2 x 2 x 4

    Premiering in 1989 to raves in media like The Village Voice, Charles Dennis’ “2 x 2 x 4” is an offbeat dance duet performed with fourteen wooden 2 x 4s, one whose mood is now heightened by Cataldi’s atmospheric, looped and layered guitar extrapolations captured on this live EP.  Avant-Garde-Arama was originated in 1980 at the legendary East Village venue P.S. 122 (now called Performance Space 122) by Dennis, who also co-founded this vibrant cultural institution. This is the first time that the two-day festival of short works of dance, performance art, poetry and music has been produced outside of New York City.

    Praised for his guitar innovations by the likes of The New York Times and Jazz Times, Cataldi’s three movement score was informed by his love of the pioneering ambient soundscapes of guitarist Robert Fripp and experience performing with avant-garde guitar orchestra composer Rhys Chatham. Cataldi performed with Chatham’s ensemble at Lincoln Center in 2010, at a concert captured on the album “A Crimson Grail: For 200 Guitars.”

    Cataldi utilized multiple loop pedals, delays, fuzz tone, a string simulator, harmonizer, arpeggiator, an Ebow note sustainer and other effects to create the 20-minute score, which is divided into three selections on the EP titled:  2 x 2 x 4 Pt. 1  Of Sawdust & Seagulls (8:09); 2 x 2 x 4 Pt. 2  Pulse the Arpeggiator (4:37) and 2 x 2 x 4 Pt. 3  The Howl of Contemplation (6:24).  The music moves from gentle chording and symphonic loops to a rhythmic pulse with dueling, echoed melodic fragments to a minimalist 4-chord organ pattern underpinning frenetic soloing and wailing wall of infinite sustained, harmonized note clusters at the culmination.

    When I heard Sal play live, I knew he would be the perfect collaborator.  I gave him a few notes about mood, pacing and rhythm and he took these ideas and ran with them – crafting three distinct movements that complemented the narrative flow. It was a unique musical soundscape, one that enhanced both my performance and the experience of Avant-Garde Arama’s live audience.

    Charles Dennis

    Cataldi’s debut album under Spaghetti Eastern Music moniker, Sketches of Spam, is a 16-track, 69-minute, genre-surfing journey through contrasting moods, with instrumentals inspired by 70’s Miles, Krautrock, Ennio Morricone, Fripp & Eno and ECM’s icy guitar great Terje Rypdal giving way to bare-bones acoustic vocal tunes reflective of the influence of John Martyn and Nick Drake. In 2020, Cataldi followed this with a trio of critically-acclaimed atmospheric singles that have been heard around the globe, “Her Lemon Peel Raincoat – Because It’s Raining,” “Peace Within” and “And This is Their New Hoax,” a COVID-19 musical editorial featuring samples of President Trump’s most noted denials to Cataldi’s soundpainting guitars and synths. His latest release, 2021’s “Blues for A Lost Cosmonaut,” is a nine-minute plus maxi single, again in the ambient mode, one that informed the live tracks he performed to Dennis’ piece. 

    This collaboration with Charles was a pure joy. It was a chance to extend on what I have been working on with my recent Spaghetti Eastern Music releases – to be ambient and minimalist and wildly maximalist, at the same time.  It was also a way to challenge myself to create a multi-layered soundpainting completely solo, in a live setting, without a net, re-dos, etc. I look forward to reprising this piece and others with Charles in further performances.

    Sal Cataldi

    In 2020, Cataldi made news more beautiful sounds with “One Act Sonix,” the critically-buzzed about debut album from his spoken word/music side project, The Vapor Vespers, with noted Alaskan playwright/slam poet Mark Muro.  The duo recently followed this up with two new singles, “Sex” and “You Changed.” Cataldi is also one half of the improvisational and ambient Hudson Valley-based guitar and efx duo, Guitars A Go Go, with Rick Warren.  Their first single, a 12-minute improv opus called “The Volcano Lovers,” was a preview of the bold experimentation featured in their June 2020 CD debut, “Travel Advisory.”

  • Soul Blind Aim to Please with new EP “Third Chain”

    Soul Blind is out to impress us once again. The Hudson Valley based alternative rock band has released their new EP Third Chain on Other People Records. Drawing from The Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, and Deftones, Soul Blind releases a nostalgic track that mimics something out of the 90s.

    The newly released music video captures the band performing in a kaleidoscope of swirling colors through a fisheye lens. If that doesn’t give you 90s nostalgia then maybe Justin Sarica and Finn Lovell’s entwined guitar riffs will remind you of The Smashing Pumpkin’s sheer rock groove.

    Soul Blind

    This track also reminds us the endless range of what the rock genre truly encaptures. Steve Hurley on drums is the foundation urging the beat forward urging nothing but a head-banging session leaving the listener engaged, asking where the melody will head to next. Third Chain gives us the original hard rock we have come to know and love while still having an original sound. Soul Blind’s other tracks including “Misplaced” and “Phantom Pool” continue delving into the lessons crucial relationships teach us about ourselves. Jon Markson and Adam Cichocki recorded each track ensuring a lush wall of guitars mixed with divine vocals.

    The EP serves a lot of self reflection lyrically, as well as the emotional turbulence within personal relationships. ALl three songs reflect different feelings, but come together in the same world. Sonically we think these songs show some diversity in our sound and a clear example of our range of what can be expected from future releases, especially going into our first full length.

    Soul Blind

    Soul Blind is working toward becoming a household name and are on their merry way. In 2018, the group made their debut with the Willpower EP, followed by Untitled later that year with a handful of promo singles in 2019. Don’t just take our word for it. No Echo, Stereogum, and New Noise Magazine have released praising reviews gloating about the band. Opening for the likes of Vein, All Out War, Death Threat, Fiddlehead, Praise, Anxious, Modern Color and One Step Closer solidify their hardcore stardom.

    Third Chain is streaming now and available for purchase here.

    Be sure to check out Soul Blind’s East Coast tour with Koyo. Tour dates can be found below.

    9/17/2021 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ APEX Studios w/ Restraining Order
    9/18/2021 – North Haven, CT @ The Cockeyed Crow w/ Restraining Order + Rule Them All + End It
    9/19/2021 – Oakdale, NY @ Shakers Pub
    9/20/2021 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fire w/ Webbed Wing
    9/21/2021 – Greensboro, NC @ Gate City Garage
    9/22/2021 – Columbia, SC @ New Brooklyn Tavern
    9/23/2021 – Jacksonville, FL @ Archetype w/ Magnitude + Point Of Contact + Kharma
    9/24/2021 – Brandon, FL @ Noisebox w/ Magnitude + Point Of Contact + Kharma
    9/25/2021 – Tallahassee, FL @ The Bark w/ Magnitude + One Step Closer
    9/26/2021 – Pensacola, FL @ American Legion w/ Magnitude + One Step Closer
    9/27/2021 – Atlanta, GA @ The Dog House
    9/28/2021 – Richmond, VA @ The Camel w/ One Step Closer 
    10/09/2021 – Brooklyn, NY @ Gold Sounds w/  No Pressure, Koyo, Victory Garden, Charity 
    10/30/2021 – New Haven, CT @ State House w/ Narrow Head + Waveform

  • Brooklyn’s PEAK Premieres “Starlight Child,” Second Single off upcoming Album “Choppy Water”

    PEAK, the Brooklyn-based quartet release their second single, “Starlight Child,” off their forthcoming full length album Choppy Water, due for release on October 14. Recorded throughout 2020 and 2021 at their studio, the material is culled from several years of songwriting and road-testing, with mixing and mastering by Jason “Jocko” Randall (Turkuaz/ Jimkata/ Dopapod) at Moresound Studios in Syracuse.

    peak starlight child

    PEAK consists of songwriter and guitarist Jeremy Hilliard of Turbine, Kito Bovenshulte (Particle) on drums, Josh T. Carter (Haley Jane and The Primates) on bass, and newcomer Johnny Young, a Brooklyn-based-keyboardist, blind since the age of 17.  In 2018 they released their debut album Electric Bouquet, produced by Dave Brandwein of Turkuaz, and the buzz is escalating.  Self-described as Psychedelic Indie Funk, the songs on the album are vibey and lyric-based, and the live show is groove-oriented and exploratory.

    Choppy Water is chock full of groove-based psychedelic rock, with plenty of funk, electro-pop, prog, and Americana.  The deep, polished grooves from the bass and drums complement guitar and keys solos that wail with searing intensity. Hilliard’s songwriting takes the stage with a unique voice that captures a bizarre chapter in the world with a fresh distinct PEAK voice and defined sound.

    ‘”Starlight Child” kicks off side 2 on the vinyl, and we picked it as the second single because it really captures the vibe and mood of the whole album as well as any song on it. I particularly like the way there are a lot of instruments on the track that all have their place in the mix. Even though there’s a lot going on, you can hear the subtleties of the piano, the percussion, and the acoustic guitar. Also, this was the very first guitar solo I tracked in our new studio, so I was pretty amped.”

    Jeremy Hilliard

    “Starlight Child” stands out as one of the catchiest PEAK tracks on Choppy Water. Out of the gate, Young’s keys set the tone, jumping out with a catchy riff that graduates to the organ heading into first stanza. A hint of Crosby, Stills & Nash can be heard in the lyrics “Starlight Child, you were born in summer, you’re the same as I am, we were made to wander, we can stay and dance a while, the night will soon be over,” followed by a blistering guitar solo from Hilliard. The pace from Bovenshulte on the drums gives the track full-bodied character, not a second wasted on the 5:11 track.

    PEAK will hold an album release show on October 22 at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, and currently have a Kickstarter Presale for Choppy Water that ends on Sept 23.

  • New York Dolls Guitarist Steve Conte Releases New Singles “Flying” and “Overnight Smash” Off Upcoming Album ‘Bronx Cheer’

    New York City guitarist, singer, and songwriter Steve Conte has released “Flying” and “Overnight Smash,” the next single off his first solo album in five years, the attitude-infused Bronx Cheer, releasing Friday, November 5 on Wicked Cool Records.

    Steve Conte Overnight Smash

    Long known for his memorable guitar work as a member of New York Dolls, as well as former Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe’s band (with whom he still performs), Steve found international fame in recent years via his collaborations with Japanese composer and artist Yoko Kanno on the soundtracks to several hit anime series, including Cowboy Bebop. Bronx Cheer is brimming with the spirit of New York both past and present.

    A ‘Bronx cheer’ is what we also call a ‘raspberry.’ Sticking out your tongue and blowing air to make a fart sound. The title for this album works on many levels. First is the fact that I moved to The Bronx five years ago – and I’m lovin’ it! But it all came together when I found the photo, which is on the album cover, of a group of high school kids marching down Fifth Avenue protesting the election of Donald Trump. So not only is the lead kid, Theo Fenton, raising his fist in protest, contrasting the word ‘cheer,’ the title also gives Trump a big fat raspberry.

    I remember the danger, dirty streets, the garbage strike, sleazy 42nd Street.When I moved here in the mid-1980s it was not all that different – but it’s very different now. Yet somehow, I still love it – and hate it. To me, that’s what the Blues and Punk Rock have in common – complaining

    Steve Conte

    The album’s 11 new songs, all written by Conte with one co-written by Brynn Arens swing like a citified update on Paul Westerberg or Old 97’s. The first single “Recovery Doll” is fast-paced and traces a descent from fun times to darker spaces. “Wildwood Moon” and “Dog Days Of Summer” are bursting with hot-weather nostalgia and shimmering production. “Liar Like You” is an unabashed Punk rave-up. The core of Bronx Cheer consists of Steve on guitar and vocals with bass by his brother John Conte and the renowned Charley Drayton on drums.

    Tracking for the album began in September 2019 in Brooklyn. Overdubs were completed by February 2020, and the album was mixed during the pandemic by Niko Bolas. Album closer “Gimme Gimme Rockaway” is the one song which had been released prior to 2021, having found success and “Coolest Song In The World” status on Little Steven’s Underground Garage as a 2017 single. For that track, the band consists of Conte with Clem Burke of Blondie on drums and Andy Rourke of The Smiths on bass, with Wicked Cool labelmate Jesse Malin on backing vocals.

    Steve Conte Overnight Smash

    Raised in a musical family – Steve’s mother Rosemary Conte is a noted NY/NJ jazz singer – Steve started spending time in New York City as a kid, his father bringing him to his first Madison Square Garden concert, by none other than Chuck Berry. Some years later, Conte found himself playing an entire show onstage in Berry’s band. His own music first gained notice when his band Company Of Wolves signed to Mercury Records, releasing a self-titled album on the label in 1990. Over the years he’s also worked with Peter Wolf, Eric Burdon of The Animals, Willy DeVille, Billy Squier, Willie Nile, Maceo Parker, and even been Paul Simon’s tour rehearsal vocal stand-in.

  • Jason Matu Seeks A Better Tomorrow On “Fare Thee Well”

    Jason Matu releases his first single “Fare Thee Well” today, September 17th, from his upcoming EP set for release October 15th.

    jason matu

    Matu, a songwriter from Brooklyn creates music he describes as simple, immediate songs with a literary bent and expansive soundscapes. When told not to pursue music until he has completed college, Matu went ahead and enrolled into law school.

    The indie artist’s new single displays an uplifting tone in a grim year plagued by the pandemic. “Fare Thee Well,” the first single from Jason Matu’s upcoming Same Day EP, is an Americana piece which paints a portrait of an overcoming feeling of perseverance and triumph.

    jason matu

    Matu’s upcoming EP was written all in one day’s time and recorded by frequent collaborator and Grammy-nominated producer Justin Craig, responsible for Hedwig and The Angry Inch. Joining him are base and guitarists Jordan and Talor Steinberg of The Moon City Masters.

    Eventually, Jason Matu rediscovered his musical purpose after insulating himself as a creative force in a short-lived arena rock band, and shifted priorities. he moved to Brooklyn. With a series of tragic medical emergencies, deaths, and global pandemics in the way, Jason was literally (and figuratively) forced underground. In his isolated apartment Jason found himself writing song after song.

    jason matu

    With no one else to sing his compositions, Jason took it upon himself be the vocalist. Somewhere in the cracks between 5,000 discarded lines of song, Jason found his voice. Jason made his debut album Dumb Ecstatic Bliss, which rose to #115 on the college radio charts. Working on his neon Americana follow-up, the Same Day EP, titled cleverly due to the fact that all three songs were written on the same day during the pandemic.