There’s a notion floating around the music industry these days that once you get ‘dropped’ from a record label, you’re done for in terms of having a career in music. Pack your bags, back to the day job. Chicago band Matthew has had enough with the notion and, leaving the chip off their shoulder, they’re doing something about it.
The quartet formed just before 2000 and was picked up by Rykodisc within the next year, a label respected in the world music and jazz genres yet silent on the rock radar. With extensive touring both in the US and across the Atlantic, their 2002 LP Everybody Down quickly gained momentum with the foreign press and was hailed in the UK. Unfortunately, taking a risk without knowing how to support a rock act, Rykodisc dropped Matthew mid-campaign during their second tour at home in the States. And they did it in true industry style: with a single phone call.
Like any newly signed artist would react, Brian McSweeney and company were hit hard. They initially bought the idea that doors were closing fast, and for a while it wasn’t pretty. The digital market, blogoshpere, and podcasts were in their infant stages compared to where they are now, so for a newly-unsigned band to then maintain the same buzz as one with major label support was a total crapshoot. Regardless, there’s absolutely no reason for music to simply go away and die somewhere quietly, alone and unheard.
Nearly five years have since passed, and Matthew have laid their cards back out on the table with their new self-release Army of the Rabbit and Mouse, a dramatic departure from their previous record. Twelve songs with pure, honest lyrics dealing with introspective issues of trust, relationships, and faith- written, recorded, and produced by the band over the past two years. While the Matthew elements of McSweeney’s seemingly endless vocal range, lush guitars romanced on Fender reverb, and precision-tight rhythm section punches have remained intact, they’ve removed the polished glean in the studio only to offer something more organic and closer to heart. The band’s core of McSweeney and drummer Matt Sumpter have pulled through, and they’ve recruited bassist Adrian Walther (All Star United) and guitarist Danny Nicoletto (The Audible Campaign) along the way. The band has begun where they left off- on the road where they belong. They’re still one of the best live acts out there.
Industry or not, Matthew’s music can be heard and felt once again. With clearer heads and lessons learned, they believe it’s time to go out and test the waters. My vote: they go in head first.
-Shawn Rios
