Matt Woods

Matt Woods is a product of Appalachia. You can hear his East Tennessee roots tangled in the lines of his songs and it is through this filter he distills the world, both external and internal, into his unique brand of songwriting. You can call it Americana, folk rock, even country music but no matter what it’s called it is, at it core, honest and heartfelt. Spending most of his time on the road, either engaging listeners as a solo artist or enrapturing them with his band, Matt Woods and the Natural Disasters, he would say, if asked, that he is “just trying to share some truth and get along.” 2019 brought the release of Woods’ 4th full length studio album, Natural Disasters, and an impressive touring schedule in support of it across the US and Europe, the latter of which having become a yearly endeavor since the release of 2016’s How To Survive. As the global Covid-19 pandemic brought touring to a halt, Matt moved forward in other ways including keeping connected via online events, writing for future releases, and even releasing an EP titled Mornings After as a companion piece to the 2019 album.

Both Natural Disasters and Mornings After, produced by Joey Kneiser (Glossary and Austin Lucas), share insights to the realities of our place in time as perceived through Woods’ eyes and enriched by the talents of Adam Meisterhans on electric guitars, Jeremy Mackinder on bass guitar, PJ Schreiner on drums, and Mike Webb (Chris Stapleton, Poco) on keys with Lance Howell (Big Shoals) and Kashena Sampson providing harmonies throughout. Along the way, Matt has shared the stage with the likes of Chris Knight, Black Oak Arkansas, Bobby Bare, Frank Turner, Roger Alan Wade, Zac Brown, Drivin’ n’ Cryin’, Will Hoge, Roger Clyne (of The Refreshments), CAKE, Robbie Fulks, The White Buffalo, The Black Lillies and others.

BONEHART FLANNIGAN

“Bonehart Flannigan. There may be no more fitting pseudonym in all the singer-songwriter pen names I’ve heard. First, it sounds a little silly rolling off the tongue, makes you giddy in some way. Same goes for a Bonehart Flannigan performance. While the songs may hurl themselves at heartbreak, murder and destitution, their exuberance and charm matches that of their composer. But back to the name: Bonehart Flannigan. There’s something boisterous about it. What sort of person has that name? Well, it’s whatever piece of Jon Dell writes the rip roaring folk that takes the stage with him at a Bonehart show. Whether it’s a motormouth homage to Dharma, the immortalized van of his other band Universe Contest or the wicked-sharp murder ballad “Mean Blade of Grass,” Bonehart music wears most of its emotions and intentions right there on its happy, dirty sleeve. Whatever the message may be, it’s absolutely exuded by a country rock voice and a speeding acoustic guitar. Life sucks, life is great. Bottoms up!”

Chance Solem-Pfeifer, www.hearnebraska.org

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PETE JIVE

Performing live since 2002, Pete Jive has been spreading the message of self affirmation and compassion throughout the greater Chicagoland area.
Pete Jive, provides a feel-good show every time, diffusing positivity and spreading good vibrations nightly to his rapidly growing fan base.
His first LP No Sign of Regret, released June 2011, This record features elements of traditional American folk music, roots reggae and rock ‘n’ roll, which have shaped Pete Jive’s sound and direction from the start. It was the first album to showcase Pete Jive’s “old country picking style and youthful wisdom”, as Josh Hisle from Neil Young’s Vapor Records put it.
In April 2012 Pete was signed to Josh Hisle’s new record label V.R.C. records, recording the EP “Sleep When I Die” for the label’s debut release.
Pete spent the year of 2013 touring nationwide from Philadelphia to California. 2014 finds Pete going back to Philadelphia and California as well as multiple tours throughout the Midwest.
The energy of Pete Jive live is contagious and he has had the opportunity to share the stage with national artists such as Slightly Stoopi), Josh Heinrichs, Badda Skat, Josh Hisle and DJ Redlox. -Pete jive is a breath of fresh air for people of all ages & musical interest.