LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/
Music Allies) - On
September 23rd, Matt Morris will release "Backstage at Bonnaroo and other Acoustic Performances," a five-song EP released by Tennman Records. The EP provides audiences a first look at an incredible artist who is unafraid to speak his mind. That same week, Matt will embark on a 22-date US tour supporting Grammy-award winner
Joan Osborne on her "Little Wild One" tour.
Matt Morris brought down the house when he kicked off this year's Bonnaroo Music Festival. The concert generated a substantial media buzz including an "up-and-comer" nod from Rolling Stone Magazine. Backstage at "Bonnaroo and other Acoustic Performances" features songs from an impromptu backstage performance recorded during the festival. Matt was accompanied by guitarist Charlie Sexton, who is also co-producing Matt's upcoming album. "We'd never played these songs together that way - acoustically," says Matt, "and we didn't even bother to talk about the arrangement of the songs beforehand. I remember having this sense that we were capturing something really special here."
"Backstage at Bonnaroo and other Acoustic Performances" is our first glimpse of Matt Morris, who will release an album next year. Blessed with an incredible voice, Matt Morris often draws comparisons to Freddy Mercury and Jeff Buckley. Tennman Records Chairman and CEO Justin Timberlake says, "He's kind of like Ray LaMontagne meets Elton John meets Stevie Wonder meets Rufus Wainwright. It's time for the birth of the hybrid artist."
Matt is well known for writing songs for Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, and Justin Timberlake. However, the songs on "Backstage at Bonnaroo and other Acoustic Performances" have a much different feel. His latest songwriting is filled with an urgency and depth that speak of the struggles and challenges people face. The stripped down performances on the EP draws in the listener to focus on Matt's soulful lyrics. On "Money", Matt calls on listeners to examine what money means to us as individuals, and as members of a global community. "We expect a lot from our money. We want it to stretch, and multiply, and make us happy. Money motivates us to work, to kill, to betray - and yet, I'm not convinced that money is inherently evil. Money feeds, houses, clothes, educates... when we allow it to," says Morris. "We're an affluent nation; a generous people. But, we're also obsessed with our money, and what we can get for it."
"Backstage at Bonnaroo and other Acoustic Performances" is a powerful introduction to Matt Morris. The five-song EP will be available during Matt's tour as well as on iTunes, Amazon and other online stores starting September 23rd.
Matt Morris Tour (* opening for Joan Osborne)
9/20 - Walnut Room - Denver, CO (solo headline show)
9/25 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY *
9/26 - Calvin Theater & PAC - Northampton, MA *
9/27 - The Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT *
9/29 - Ram's Head Tavern - Annapolis, MD *
9/30 - Toad's Place - Richmond, VA *
10/1 - Bomhard Theatre - Louisville, KY *
10/3 - Belcourt Theater - Nashville, TN *
10/4 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC *
10/5 - Variety Playhouse - Atlanta, GA *
10/9 - Belly Up Tavern - Solana Beach, CA *
10/10 - The El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA *
10/11 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA *
10/13 - The Triple Door - Seattle, WA *
10/14 - Aladdin Theatre - Portland, OR *
10/17 - Aggie Theatre - Ft. Collins, CO *
10/18 - Whiskey Roadhouse - Council Bluffs, IA *
10/20 - Varsity Theatre - Minneapolis, MN *
10/21 - Park West Theatre, Chicago, IL *
10/23 - Mr. Smalls - Millvale, PA *
10/24 - Somerville Theatre - Somerville, MA *
10/25 - Highline Ballroom - New York, NY *
10/26 - World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA *
For more information on Matt Morris, please visit
http://www.musicallies.com/resources/mattmorris
