Mat d. profile picture

Mat d.

About Me

Emerging as a critically acclaimed songwriter and performer in the folk music scene, Mat d. has entertained Midwestern audiences with his gritty approach to old time country and acoustic blues to create a dark signature sound best described as hard luck Americana. His lyrical themes focus on life from the darker side of the tracks with a raw sense of wit combined with a faint if not tarnished silver lining. Jim Pipkin of HickoryWind.org writes "Mat reminds me of a young Steve Earle with a more powerful set of pipes...Mat's songs are funny, crusty, dirty glimpses into an America out beyond the strip malls. The subjects of his songs flash by like memories of a road trip, with recurring themes of faith, cynicism, and finding what love the world throws at us." Mat has won Folk Rising's album of the year two years in a row for 2007's "Gasoline Rattle" and more recently for 2008's "Merciful 66" Gary Kappenman- head of A&R for Folk Rising LLC stated "as I sit here listening to Mat’s Merciful 66 album for about the 20th time, I’m considering that reviewers of Mat’s first solo album, 'Gasoline Rattle', reminded them of a young Steve Earle. While I enjoy listening to Steve Earle’s work, I believe Mat’s new album goes significantly beyond Steve Earle’s work in both the striking imagery of his lyrics and the heartfelt soulfulness he brings to his vocals." His music continues to turn the heads of audiences both young and old with his unmistakable voice and a modern, yet traditionally rooted songwriting style. Dark and compelling, somber and bittersweet, Mat's music not only haunts the soul - but inspires it. 2009 finds Mat recording music for 2 brand new CDs to be released before the end of the year.a href="

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 07/08/2007
Band Website: www.MatdandtheProfaneSaints.com
Band Members: Mathew deRiso - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin and Banjo--- Kurt Mullins - Fretless Bass, Electric Guitar ,
Influences: Currently: Darrel Scott, Guy Davis, Dave Moore, Bruce Springstein, Rodney Crowell and John Hiatt
Sounds Like:Mat's songs are funny, crusty, dirty glimpses into an America out beyond the strip malls. All writers hate to be categorized or compared, but in some ways Mat reminds me of a young Steve Earle, with a more powerful set of pipes. The subjects of his songs flash by like memories of a road trip, with recurring themes of faith, cynicism, and finding what love the world throws at us. One lyric describing a lover hit me, from the tune Midway Babylon: "The years they had not been too kind, but a ramblin' boy like me don't mind." Don't take my word for it, go and hear this guy! - Jim Pipkin HickoryWind.org "...He is a dramatic if dark songwriter, however, and we've said it before but no one puts a soap opera to song better than Mat D...There are songs on this album that will (or at least should if there is any justice in this world) become standards. Writing songs that can touch people's souls is no easy task and it is certainly no guarantee of commercial success but we raise our glass to Mat D " Editor - BluesBunny.com Glasgow UKFolk Rising™ Music Productions, LLC (Folk Rising)'s 2008 Folk Album of the year is awarded to Mat D for his Merciful 66 album. Gary Kappenman, A&R for Folk Rising, stated "as I sit here listening to Mat’s Merciful 66 album for about the 20th time, I’m considering that reviewers of Mat’s first solo album, Gasoline Rattle, reminded them of a young Steve Earle. While I enjoy listening to Steve Earle’s work, I believe Mat’s new album goes significantly beyond Steve Earle’s work in both the striking imagery of his lyrics and the heartfelt soulfulness he brings to his vocals. If you like Steve Earle’s work, you’ll love Mat’s new Merciful 66 album!”
Record Label: Mary Moe/Music Works
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Setlist - Meet Virigina - May 15th

I'm performing tonight at Meet Virginia in Sioux City.  7:30-9:30pm $2 suggested donation.Very happy and thankful to the Weekender for choosing this small coffee house show as one of the top 6 events ...
Posted by on Fri, 15 May 2009 11:48:00 GMT

Meet Virginia - Tonight in Sioux City

Planning on bringing my A game tonight! Hope to see you there if you're in the Sioux City Area.$2 suggested donation 7:30-9:30pm at Meet Virginia at 306 Virginia Street in Downtown Sioux CityHere's th...
Posted by on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:09:00 GMT

Mat d returns to Shaky Tree Coffee

Hey folks-Shaky Tree Coffee will be hosting Folk Rising's Album of the year 2008 - Mat d., singer / songwriter from Sioux City, IA this Saturday night, the 21st, at 8:00 p.m. Mat works with recurring ...
Posted by on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 06:28:00 GMT

Mat D Live on KOOL 99.5 this Thursday!

Mat D on Live on KOOL 99.5 Category: Music ..Mat D will appear live on the Rock n Roll morning show Thursday March 12 on Sioux City's home for classic rock KOOL 99.5  Mat will perform solo on the show...
Posted by on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:57:00 GMT

March 14th - Sioux City 100 Limited Edition CDs for FREE!!!

We will be handing out 100 FREE copies of a limited edition CD at our March 14 appearance at the fabulous Chesterfield in Sioux City Iowa. The first 100 people that arrive at the show will be given a ...
Posted by on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:48:00 GMT

New music from Mat d and the Profane Saints

I don't know if many of you were even aware that I front a Roots Rock/Alt. Country band called the Profane Saints when I'm not busy working as a scruffy singer/songwriter.  We just put a couple new so...
Posted by on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:05:00 GMT

Mat d. awarded Folk Rising's album of the year 2008

 Mat d. has been awarded Folk Rising's Album of the Year 2008 for his solo CD "Merciful 66"  Mat was fortunate enough to have earned this award in 2007 for the album "Gasoline Rattle"  Two years in a ...
Posted by on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:31:00 GMT

New music in the works

I've been writing a ton of new material - at least 15 songs for my band and I've completed the 9th solo song since August.  I've been doing brief sessions with Kurt at Music Works over the past f...
Posted by on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:04:00 GMT

Mat d. live at www.SiouxCityJournal.com

Jesse Claeys at the Sioux City Journal/Weekender was kind enough to invite Mat d. and Kurt Mullins down for an interview this week.  A video of Mat performing "Metropolicana" from his latest albu...
Posted by on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:16:00 GMT

Mat d. featured on the Americana Roots Review Podcast

Ray Randall at www.AmericanaRoots.com was kind enough to include the track "Metropolicana" from Merciful 66 on the latest edition of the Americana Roots Review Podcast (68 to be exact) The p...
Posted by on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:13:00 GMT