Album Notes

Ever since Matt was born in rural Wisconsin, his parents used travel as a way to help him gain perspective on life. Having now explored five continents, his musical and personal influence goes far beyond local and regional sources. “Music and travel were the two things that influenced me most growing up, they completely shaped who I am today.” Before the age of four, Matt was impersonating his favorite musicians and strumming a guitar. “I would pretend to be my favorite musician for months at a time, making people call me by the musician’s name.” The bands and artists that he would imitate, and later cover, are the same ones whose influence can be heard in his music today. His musical influences broadened as he got older, originating with the Beatles and later progressing towards artists such as Elliott Smith and Mason Jennings. Matt began studying guitar at the age of eight, and by ten he was covering Beatles and 90’s pop in a band, occasionally playing an original song or two. Simon Sperl, the bassist of his childhood band, still performs with Matt today. After covering other artists’ work for a few years, Matt began seriously and introspectively approaching songwriting. He struggled to come up with music that satisfied him, until after his freshmen year of high school when he wrote “I’ll Miss You.” “’I’ll Miss You’ was the first time writing a song came naturally to me, and that experience made me realize that song writing was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” He started playing short solo sets and open mic nights, and at sixteen he put on his first full-length solo show. He continues to play live shows and has since taken his music into the recording studio. At eighteen he finished his debut solo album, First impressions, at Perfect House Studios in River Falls, Wisconsin. Self produced, designed, and released, First Impressions bears traces of Matt’s travels to South America and the Alaskan Mountains, scars from a loss, and his passion for living life. “First Impressions was a great learning experience for me, because it helped me develop my individual songs into one greater work, and taught me so much about the recording process.” Matt is currently looking into the recording industry and considering many different opportunities. He continues to write songs and perform live, both with a band and solo. “At this point in time, my life is all about music. Whether it is creating, sharing, or just enjoying, it is the reason I get up in the morning.”