The members of this band are, always, Matthew William Hopper and a revolving cast and crew that varies by exact location on planet Earth at any given moment depending on any number of factors with nods to time, space, and capitalistic ventures. If you would like to know who is in this band at a certain performance at a certain location at a certain time, you will have to "feel it out" amongst your local music scene, and perhaps maybe come to a show and see for yourself just what exactly is going on here. For recorded music, please check with applicable release for a current lineup of players.
For other inquiries (including press, publicity, legal, and licensing) contact us via our representation:
Randall Scott
management@matthopper.com
Influences
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers / The Rolling Stones / The Beatles / Weezer / Cheap Trick / Supertramp / ELO / Lucinda Williams / The Jayhawks / Josh Rouse / Todd Snider / The Lemonheads / Tristeza / Starflyer 59 / Ryan Adams / My Morning Jacket / Cameron McGill / Palomino / Marcus Bently / Buddy Guy / John Lee Hooker / Tim Easton / Chocolate Genius / Keith Sweat / Dr. Dog / M. Ward / Pink Floyd / Janis Joplin / Van Morrison / Bob Dylan / Damien Jurado / Pedro The Lion / Band of Horses / Band of Annuals / Joseph Arthur / Doves / Fischerspooner / Sleepy Jackson / Leonard Cohen / Richard Hawley / Tom Waits / Led Zeppelin / Modest Mouse / Neil Young / Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds / Portugal The Man / Radiohead / The Push Stars / Old Pike / Red House Painters / Rod Stewart / Ron Sexsmith / Silversun Pickups / Sigor Ros / Sparklehorse / Magnolia Electric Company / Wilco / Velvet Underground / The Cure / U2 / The Killers / Television / Talking Heads / Supergrass / Fleetwood Mac / John Davidson / Gwen Stefani / Air / Sean Hatton / Johnny Liszak / Cold War Kids / Richard Swift / Slowdive / Mojave 3 / The Mommyheads / Aphex Twin / Moby / Lenny Kravitz / Nate Dogg / Snoop Doggy Dogg / Dr. Dre / New Order / Interpol / Ladycop / Mark Barnette / Mary Paine / Elliot Smith / Lael Alderman / Raised By Tigers / Crackmachine / The Born Losers / Konami Defense System / Danzig / Steve Earle / Evan Phillips & The Whipsaws / Steve Bacon / Morrissey / The Smiths / Eric Clapton / John Lennon / Paul McCartney / George Harrison / Ringo Starr / The Juice / T.J. Pedriana / Shauney Ali / Blake Thomas / Josh Harty / The Blueheels / Jeff Bail / Kingdom Phyllum / Murder City Devils / Michael W. Smith / Joe Christmas / Brothers Martin / The Judybats / The Julies / Gin Blossoms / Fear Before The March of Flames / Palmer, AK. The Man / Palmer, AK.The Town / The Simon Brothers / Brock Lindow & 36 Crazyfists / Mike Gorder & Delmag / Jeff Buckley / Matteo Sanchez / Explosions In The Sky / Mxpx / Michael Knott / Andrew Norsworthy / Counting Crows / Wallflowers / Rod Stewart / Mason Jennings / Depeche Mode / Kent / Edwyn Collins / Blur / Gorillaz / Underworld / Vampire Weekend / The Police / Simon & Garfunkel / The Watson Twins / Rilo Kiley / Mates of State / Jupiter Sunrise / Slightly Drawn / The Band / Richard Buckner / David Garza / Ian Moore / many many more
Sounds Like
"Alaska native Matt Hopper has the appeal and talent of a quintessential American singer-songwriter. He writes earnest alt-countrified songs that are pop without being cliche and delicate without being sappy." - LA Weekly
"Alaskan troubadour Matt Hopper is a singer-songwriter of the highest caliber." - Boise Weekly
"Hopper is a monster rock n roll front man who writes brilliantly crafted pop tunes. He has the catalogue, persistence and the stage presence to be the next big thing in pop musics re-birth of the singer/songwriter genre. Hes already proven hes among the best of his class." - Summit Daily News
"Alaska's finest" - Performing Songwriter
"On his self-recorded, five-song EP, singer/songwriter Matt Hopper explains, "I come from the country/beyond your city walls/I got some stories/but you're going to have to write to me and call," conjuring a Replacements-esque take on soft alt country. His stripped-down arrangements place subtle acoustic guitar work beneath melancholic vocals. In places, Hopper's whistle is the loudest part of the song, but there's something endearing and sweet in his vulnerable admissions and delicate instrumentation." - The Stranger
Some read Kerouac’s “On The Road” and say “that’s a nice story” while others change their name to Sal Paradise and get in the car. Matt Hopper is one of these people. Hailing from the town of Hatcher Pass, Alaska – Hopper began writing songs in his late teenage years thanks to a pawn shop purchase of The Lemonheads’ “It’s A Shame About Ray”. After his band, The Roman Candles, took home best local band awards in 2003 – he decided to have a go at the west coast. Although independent, hard working singer-songwriters are a plenty, Hopper set himself up for a career in music by utilizing his business management degree and an unquenchable thirst for the open road.
His music blends psychedelic folk and hook-filled rock and roll. He cites diverse influences such as Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Weezer, and Depeche Mode on his website, while shows with Todd Snider, Gin Blossoms, Heartless Bastards and tours with Cold War Kids, Cameron McGill, and Ian Moore have inspired him to greater heights as a professional entertainer. Most of his nights are spent on a stage somewhere in America, where he wears his current mood on his sleeve and is not afraid to ramble on. Caribou Bill, his whiskey soaked alter-ego, isn’t afraid to challenge anyone to game of ping pong and will also be releasing music next year on Hopper’s independent Hatcher Pass label.
Summit Daily News in Colorado sums it up nicely - “Hopper is a monster rock n roll front man who writes brilliantly crafted pop tunes. He has the catalogue, persistence and the stage presence to be the next big thing in pop music’s re-birth of the singer/songwriter genre. He’s already proven he’s among the best of his class.”
Matt Hopper is constantly on perma-tour, however, he will be joined by Portland, Oregon's Drew Grow from May 17 - June 8 for a national tour. In August, he will be on a West Coast tour with Cameron McGill, and in September, he will be joined by The Devil Whale for a midwest tour.
Please, look forward to a few select releases throughout the year on vinyl, compact disc, digital, and of course, live performance. Band varies...it's a long, complicated story. MH
To purchase Matt Hopper songs right now, while you're here online checking things out, see the Matt Hopper Nimbit below. There is also a tool below that ranks how many people you've gotten to give a shit about your music career; all they ask is for your email/soul in return. Make your own decisions, and make 'em good, for ye only got but one life to live here, perhaps...in the meantime, we will continue to play shows wherever we feel like, with whoever we want to, whenever we want, and for how long we want to unless bound by contract or obligation - in which case, all said details can be sorted out by trusted folk who know passwords and numbers for tax identification purposes. Hello Willie, it's about time you swoop down and give yer new old friend a call.
Matt Hopper & The Roman Candles's Friend Space (Top 16)
Thank you! Lauren prepared a nice warm bath with candles, incense and enya playing...i felt like I was at a high price spa. :) Hope all is well with you!
<span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Matt Hopper & The Roman Candles, I just bought you as my PET! <br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click to find out how much I think you're worth!</span></a></span><br/><br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money2_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/>
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<span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Matt Hopper & The Roman Candles, I just bought you as my PET! <br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click to find out how much I think you're worth!</span></a></span><br/><br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money1_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/>
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thanks for the mother's day telephone ring. I am soon to give birth to my naval fetus, otherwise known as Lint McCracken. You should play Milwaukee sometime. Screw Madison. C'mon!
<a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money3_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/><span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Matt Hopper & The Roman Candles, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click here</span></a> to find out how much I think you're worth!</span>
sorry about the annoying message dude. i know how you like to get yourself out there.... you should get the app and see how fast you become worth millions and who buys you. much |0ve bro, +<br /><br />
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<span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Matt Hopper & The Roman Candles, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><span style='font-size:larger;'>Click here</span></a> to find out how much I think you're $$WORTH$$!</span><br/><br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money3_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/>
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<a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'><img src='http://static-lb-2.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_money3_myspace.gif' border='0' /></a><br/><span style='font-size:20px; font-weight:bold'>Hey Matt Hopper & The Roman Candles, I just bought you as my PET! <a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053'>Click here</a> to find out how much I think you're $$WORTH$$!</span>
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