Jill Scott, Otis Redding, Tracy Chapman, Ani DiFranco, India Arie, Musiq Soulchild, Leela James.... love and life
Sounds Like
"Imagine Jill Scott and Otis Redding had a daughter and Tracy Chapman was her god-mother... now imagine she spent summers teaching herself piano in Chicago and guitar in the mountains of North Carolina... that would probably sound something like the music I am fortunate enough to call my own." The music is an infusion of Americana/Blues/Bluegrass/Folk/Funk/Jazz, which, as eclectic as it sounds, is reaching people all around the country and causing them to stop and take notice.
Offering an eclectic blend of funk, blues and jazz singer/songwriter, Crys Matthews brings a refreshing new sub-genre to Neo-Soul. With influences ranging from Otis Redding all the way to Ani DiFranco and having been compared to artists as diverse in sound and style as Jill Scott and Tracey Chapman it's no wonder there isn't a box large enough to encompass what she likes to call FuBlueJazz.
A self-proclaimed old soul, the southeastern North Carolina native first popped onto the local music scene in Boone, NC in 1999 as a vocalist/keyboardist with the band Half & Half before breaking out with her own solo career. Since then she has been a permanent fixture at venues like Caribbean Cafe, Jimmy's Java, Cafe Portofino, and Higher Grounds.
"Music has always been a part of my life -- even before I actually took my first breath," she says. The daughter of a preacher, Crys admits that gospel music was her first love. "I'm always amazed at how much true soul music sounds like what I grew up listening to in church when I was a little girl," she says. That gospel influence is very evident throughout her own music, especially in the track she often refers to as, 'a love-letter for any one who has ever had to leave someone,' 2,000 Miles.
The rest of the album is as diverse as her influences. "Cant Run Away from Love" shows off her jazz influence and simultaneously introduces her audience to her skill level on the keys. The title track for her debut album, "This is No Poem," offers an intimate look at what is a quintessential element in the blues -- living hard and loving harder. That Bohemian naivety, the notion that love will always make everything OK, is what a lot of the record is about. "My mom always said, it doesnt matter what you're going through or how bad you think things are -- as long as you know somebody somewhere loves you, chances are everything is going to be just fine."
With a fan base that continues to widen and two albums slated for release in 2009, it seems that things are indeed going to be more than fine for this artist.
I can honestly say that this is one of the best shows I have every seen. They have 10 contestants that perform weekly as YOU the audience send someone home every week until its down to 1! Its entertaining, the crowd is amazing, and its at your favorite bar. . . AND NOW it's new and approved as MSR took advantage of some down town and remodeled the place for a new stylish look! You have to see this!
The REUNION show is JULY 17th - save that date and remember from that date forward, MSR is the only pace to be on Fridays!!!
Show starts July 31st- come support your favorites and come join the fun!
hey girl!!! how was wefest? saw your name! :D we didn't play till sunday so i missed you... :( think you'll be out for the show in boone @ the dragonfly june 11th? it's a thursday...i'd love to FINALLY hug your neck! :) xx oo
Wanted to thank you again for doing the benefit in Eugene. Though Sugarbaby is just BEAUTIFUL (& on my profile!), the song to your pops touched my soul. I hope you never stop sharing your gift with the rest of us - you never know when you are gonna make a difference in someone's life just by being who you are. You did that for me on 5-15-09 in a dingy,noisy little place in Eugene, OR called, appropriately, WOW hall.
PLACE: PT'S CABARET, COLUMBIA SC WHEN: MAY 29TH TIME: 10PM $$$: $10 B4 12AM
**DONT WANT TO MISS THIS EVENT!! COLUMBIA SC JUST AN HOUR AND HALF AWAY FROM CHARLOTTE NC! DIRECTIONS: I-77S EXIT 12 REAR TO RIGHT FOREST DR. MAKE LEFT ON HARDEN ST 1101 HARDEN ST 29201
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