Sometimes I roll solo but when I'm not, here's who I've got
///Oregon: Dave Kendall- Drums, Chris Chard- Bass, Al Toribio - guitar, Paul Lesinsky - guitar
///Bay Area: Adam Berkowitz- Drums, Erik Schramm- guitar, Mike Godwin- bass
///Denver: Matt Klein- Drums
Influences
Martin Sexton, Shawn Mullins, Kieth Urban, Old 97's, Jackie Green, Garth Brooks, Wilco, Dierks Bentley, Montgomery Gentry, Train, Ralph Covert, Dylan, Willie Nelson, Tom Russell, James Brown, Warren Haynes, Steve Earl, Skynyrd, Edwin McCain, Big Head Todd and The Monsters and all cool musicians with the first name John (ie, Cash, Prine, Rotten, etc...)
Perhaps the only working musician in the world who's resume includes walking 3200 miles across America, Matt Vrba is adding yet another accomplishment onto his impressive list, the release of his third commercial album, "Go". Since the release of his first album (Everywhere In Between) in 2004, Vrba has criss-crossed the country dozens of times, logging well over 500 shows at venues ranging from NYC's Rockwood Music Hall, and LA's famed Viper Room, to huge festivals such as The North Beach Festival in San Francisco, and The Bite of Seattle. Throughout all his touring, Vrba has created a name for himself as one of the most charismatic and entertaining live performers around. Oh yeah, and he's a pretty darn good songwriter too.
An old soul, who's logged more life experience than most people twice his age, Vrba writes from the perspective of someone who has been there, and it translates over flawlessly into beautiful (and catchy!) tales of heartbreak, highway, and occasionally mustaches. His music has been in numerous national television programs, and several feature films.
Vrba describes his music as high-octane Americana, which lands it in the neighborhood of the massively consumable country-crossover genre. While he can easily fit right in with artists like Glenn Phillips, and Ryan Adams, he doesn't seem out of place when grouped with artists like Dierks Bentley and Keith Urban.
Vrba, a recent resident of Nashville, has been a busy man these days. In February, he auditioned (along with 35,000 others) for NBC’s reality show Nashville Star. Vrba made it through round after round of call-backs in Portland, Austin, and Nashville, all the way to the semi-finals (a mere 50 artists!) where he performed for Jewel, John Rich, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Jeff Steele. Although he didn’t make the final 12, (this time) he is currently working on several recording and touring projects with some of the other semi-finalists, and he will be on the first episode of the show airing on June 9th, 2008 on NBC.
As if that wasn’t enough, Vrba is gearing up for shows in Oregon, Alaska, and California this spring, a European tour this fall, writing every day, occasionally jamming with Jeremy Spencer from Fleetwood Mac in a castle in Ireland (ok, that only happened once), and tenaciously pedaling his new album “Go”.
For "Go" Vrba once again lined up an all-star crew, and it's quite evident on first listen. Pre-production began in LA with the help of legendary A & R man Don Grierson (who was responsible for discovering such bands as Heart, Cheap Trick, and The Indigo Girls) followed by a slue of top notch musicians, engineers and producers from all across the country. The aptly titled "Go" comes out of the gate strong and it's evident immediately what kind of album you are about to hear…a good one. From the heartfelt "Extraordinary," to the whiskey infused "Danville Train," to the laugh-out-loud "Mustache Song," Vrba's stellar songwriting never lets up. Through the howl of the lap steel, the gentle roll of the grand piano, and Vrba's uniquely powerful acoustic guitar playing, the 12 songs on "Go" (including a fantastic Willie Nelson cover) paint an amazing picture of life and love in the landscape of Everywhere America. Gas up the car, roll down the windows, pop in this cd, and "Go"!
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just wanted you to know you're right next to the DEFTONES on my top friends... hahahha... wish you'd made it on the nashville star... talent just sucks on there- one view to kill. hehehe
Kan't wait to hear tha new CD, Katie Ward aka the gummery, haz told me about it! & I'm not a stalker to be concerned about, just looove your muzik thatz all!!!!!! CHEERZ Matt Vrba, hope to meet ya someday!
thanks for a great time last friday, you put on a great show...i hope to catch you again when you come back to california, or maybe i'll be able to catch you in nashville with chris sometime soon! be well...
i heard you're looking for a new merchandising person for your next tour. did you get a chance to look over my resume? i'm all ready for my interview tonight! can’t wait to see you!
Hey Cheif, we are looking forward to seeing you out in CA next weekend, there will be a big hollister contingent attending the 30th show as well. Just thought I should warn you in time to pick up a bulletproof vest.
