Matt Morris / Backstage at Bonnaroo Out 9/23.

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 a rising 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 blew people away at Bonnaroo. The head editors of Rolling Stone interviewed him for over an hour (ending up giving him an “up-and-comer” nod) and he and Charlie Sexton (co-producer/performer of the album) gave an amazing impromptu performance for SPIN Magazine in their media tent (video link of that below). I have sent you a link to a website we have built streaming the songs off the EP. Please take a listen when you get a minute. To me, his sound is like a mix between Freddy Mercury and Jeff Buckley. From Timberlake: “He’s kind of like Ray LaMontagne meets Elton John meets Stevie Wonder meets Rufus Wainwright.”

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. These songs are filled with an urgency and depth that speak of the struggles and challenges that normal people face. The performances are stripped down, but they are perfectly balanced with Matt’s soulful voice, guitar, and organ. 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 great 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.

Streaming Songs:
http://musicallies.com/mattmorris/bonnaroo/index.php

SPIN vid:
http://www.spin.com/articles/backstage-bonnaroo-matt-morris

Media Tools:
http://musicallies.com/resources/mattmorris/

Feel free to post the link of the EP stream as you wish.

Matt Morris Tour Dates (*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 *