Événement

Matt the Electrician with John Elliott

The Firefly Presents:
Matt the Electrician with John Elliott
Friday, April 26, 6:00pm
21+

-----

Despite the name, Matt the Electrician is no longer an electrician, focusing instead on a music career that has spanned the course of two decades, a dozen records, and thousands of shows. His music, however, remains rooted in his blue collar beginnings, with lyricism that embraces the day-to-day, the mundane, the beauty of the ordinary.

Before moving to Austin, TX and launching his career as a working-class folk musician, Matt Sever grew up on the West Coast. His parents played John Denver and Pete Seeger songs on the family record player, and Matt spent his earliest years surrounded by the things that would later fill his own music: acoustic guitars, timeless melodies, lyrics that celebrated the joys and heartaches of everyday life, and above all else a strong work ethic.

That work ethic served him well in the mid-1990s, when he moved to Austin in search of new horizons and better opportunities. Matt was already playing music by then, and in need of a steady day job, he began working as an electrician, spending his days wiring houses in the Texas heat. Once quitting time came, he'd grab his guitar and drive himself to an evening show, usually taking the stage in his work boots and sweaty clothes. "Hi; I'm Matt the Electrician," he'd tell the crowd, hoping his occupation would help explain his appearance. The name stuck, even after his growing fan base at home, as well as abroad, allowed him to hang up his pliers for good.

Matts most recent release, a double CD called The Doubles, is the culmination of a 2-year vinyl 45 collaborative project.

-----

John Elliott writes gripping stream-of-consciousness songs that often take unexpected turns en route to delivering a powerful message. Chuck Schiele of The San Diego Troubadour wrote about Elliott's lyrics: "They get in, make their statement, kick you in the teeth, and get out before they start talking too much...And this lends to the urge of rolling any track to its beginning for another spin."

Elliott began playing at various Hollywood venues in 2001, had expanded throughout southern California by 2003, and later became an international touring artist. Now based in San Francisco, he has performed all over the world and every state except Hawaii. His music has been featured on hit television programs including Grey's Anatomy and Californication, as well as in PASTE Magazine, on NPR, and Neil Young's "Living With War" website. Also various other places in reality and on the internet, including campfires, cars, and at least one office of a vasectomy reversal surgeon during operations.

John has played on the mainstage of the Fayetteville Roots Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, Subdued Stringboard Jamboree, and others. He also performed the role of Hades in Anais Mitchells California tour of her folk opera Hadestown (alongside Anais, Thao Nygeun, and Sean Hayes).

In the last decade, he has released nine genre-less studio albums on his own record label (Garland Lane) to an ever-expanding audience. John also produces an almost monthly podcast of sorts called Audiodes. Audiodes are impressionist audio collages and reflections on American culture, news, and events. They can be streamed wherever podcasts are streamed.

John believes in the American Dream that never has been and never will be, and communicating with our so-called enemies.