Indie rock guitarist and songwriter Louis Matteo recently wrote to us via the MurphGuide page on facebook to tell us about his fund raising campaign on KickStarter.com. He is using the grass-roots fund raising tool to help finance his debut full-length album. So we figured, let's ask him some questions and feature him as our next spotlight artist.
Are you a solo act or do you have a band?
I am a solo act backed by an incredibly talented live band. They are:
Chris Anderson - Bass
Paul Maddison - Guitar
Adam Tressler - Guitar
Elliot Jacobson – Drums
How long have you been performing?
I have been performing in one form or another since age 9.
Past lives (i.e., previous bands, your early years, etc.):
I joined my first high school punk band called Captain What at age 17. That same year, I experienced my first taste of studio recording and received widespread local recognition for the songs created during that session. The next band I joined, Anthem, went on to win the Kent State University Battle of the Bands and perform on the main stage at FlashFest in the spring of 2003. Several smaller projects later, I began writing on my own and here we are today.
Musical influences:
The Beatles, Ben Folds (Five), Bob Dylan, Death Cab for Cutie, The Decemberists, Gustav Mahler, Ingrid Michaelson, Iron & Wine, Jeff Buckley, Johnny Cash, John Coltrane, The Killers, Led Zeppelin, Miles Davis, Modest Mouse, Pavement, Phoenix, Queen, Radiohead, Regina Spektor, The Shins, Simon and Garfunkel, The Smiths, Stephen Malkmus, The Strokes, Sufjan Stevens, Thom Yorke, Weezer
Linkage:
facebook: Louis-Matteo
Youtube: iamlouismatteo
Myspace: louismatteo
Reverb Nation: louismatteo
Sonic bids: louismatteo
kickstarter: kck.st/eXnRoL
Pure Volume: louismatteo
Twitter: louismatteo
Where can we buy your music?
CDbaby.com, amazon.com, itunes,tradebit.com, mog.com, CDUniverse.com, payplay.fm, napster.com (and napster UK), emusic.com
I read that you went to Berklee College of Music. Did you find the atmosphere there competitive or collaborative? What is the live music scene like in Boston?
Yes, I did study at Berklee College of Music and will say that the experience on campus is what you make of it. I made a real effort to connect and surround myself with like-minded peers to form a collaborative atmosphere. Others may have a different experience and find the vibe to be harsh and competitive. Honestly, it’s all about forming lasting relationships that create opportunities down the road. The live music scene in Boston is alive and well. There are venues for all genres and experience levels throughout the Greater Boston area. The massive population of students also provides a fantastic platform to reach new audiences.
Favorite venues to play:
NYC: National Underground, Crash Mansion, Sullivan Hall, Fontana's
Cleveland: Peabody's, The Grog Shop, Agora Ballroom
Boston: All Asia Bar
Blatant self-promotion: What would you like to plug?
I will be performing at the welcoming gala for the sixth edition of the Pop-Eye Awards in Cáceres, Spain, then presented with the best international artist award in November 2011.
Tell us a story or anecdote about performing live.
The best part about performing live is looking out at the crowd while the audience sings along with songs they know and love. YOUR songs, in this case, the songs I have written. I have one fan in particular that knows every single word of every song and watching that person from my vantage point on stage absolutely lights up my life. Those moments are priceless! Also, on one specific occasion, I autographed and personalized the back of one fan’s cell phone cover. She said she would put tape over it to preserve it forever. That was a very cool moment too.
Any advice to someone just starting out?
Believe in yourself, follow your heart, and keep playing no matter what happens along the way.
Can you recommend any other acts we should feature on MurphGuide?
Will Knox and Sydney Wayser
I first learned about you when you posted on the MurphGuide page on facebook. How did you hear about MurphGuide?
I stumbled across MurphGuide a few years ago while browsing the web for fun places and events happening in and around New York City.
Regarding your kickstarter campaign: How far along in the recording process are you? What will the funding enable you to do?
I am currently in the pre-production phase of the recording process for my debut full-length album. More details will be released as the project unfolds in the coming months. The funding will enable me to record and release new music for my fans, plus make arrangements to tour and play in their towns.
To learn more about Louis' Kickstarter campaign and to help support his new project, watch this video, and support him if you are so inclined:
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