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Welcome to
Orlando Weekly's "
Band of the Week." Every week, we highlight one of our favorite local bands. This week, we're pleased to bring you
Matthew Fowler.
Matthew Fowler is playing April 3 at Will's Pub.
Just the facts:
When did the band form?
I started performing original music in 2013.
Who's in the band?
I'm the only consistent member of the band; I play guitar, sing, and sometimes harmonica.
Currently available releases:
Beginning (full-length album)
Audiotree Live (live studio session)
Websites:
Facebook
Instagram
Describe your sound in five words:
Introspective songwriter seeking listening audience.
Five questions:
What has been your most memorable show so far?
I turned 20 years old onstage at The Social for a headlining show to a full room of people cheering me on and singing "Happy Birthday." Last year I got to open for The Weepies at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. It was a packed house, The Weepies themselves loved the set, and the manager of the venue said I reminded him of Glen Hansard (my favorite musician of all time). I also got to open for Richard Thompson at the Plaza Live, and I took a selfie with him. Those have all been real "rockstar moments" that carry me through the less-than-great shows we all play sometimes.
Which local band is your favorite one to play a show with?
Terri Binion. She has become a wonderful friend and mentor to me over the last few years. A powerhouse of a songwriter, and a gem of a human being.
What description gets used for your band that you would most
like to correct people on? Why?
I get pegged a lot as a "sad folk singer". I think my songs have solemn elements to them for sure, but sad is too simple of a word. I think they're mostly confessional, and have a lot of different emotions being conveyed, like any real situation. Nothing is ever just "sad" or "happy". It's a blend of a lot of things.
What’s your favorite thing about being an Orlando band? What's your least favorite? Why?
I think Orlando is a great place to get your chops. It's a city big enough to feel like you have to earn your place and win people over, and small enough that you can lock into a community and start to thrive and bounce energy off of other like-minded creatives. My least favorite part is the location. It's so far out of the way from a lot of other major cities and regular touring routes; it's the reason a lot of musicians end up moving away.
Any big news to share?
I'll coming out with a brand new full-length album in October!
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