Matthew Griswold

NEW Album Release This Spring: "In A Corner And Undercover"!!!

2012-02-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

"In A Corner And Undercover", is the witty phrase he uses to describe how it feels to be a gigging musician on the job site. It is also the title of the new album that Matthew Griswold will be releasing as a collection of all solo acoustic performances. The album will be released for digital download only, via all major download sites. The release date is set for April 1st. The album will consist of cover song interpretations, older originals and never before released originals. The idea for this album is so that old and new fans alike can enjoy the solo performance style of Matthew's work from their iPod or Mp3 player, as if they are at the pub listening to him play live. All of the performances were recorded live in studio in one take, and at the mixing hands of his musical partner and friend, Kevin Helander. The cover art was created by the talented Robb Swanlund, who again captured the feeling this album hopes to bring out with the style of performance from a modern day Pub Busker.

"I always feel so at ease when I'm gigging out at the not so high profile venues. Usually the listeners are casual customers or fans coming out to take it easy for a night. The pressure is off, but my musician cap is on tighter than ever when I perform like this. It has to be in order for me to stay attached to what I'm doing for 3 or 4 hours. Some of my best performances come when I am performing in a corner and feeling like I'm undercover. Sometimes that feels like a play on words as I do perform a lot more covers. I can really relate to the tales of the old buskers I read about like Robert Johnson and Woody Gutherie. I know why they stayed so close to their music and style. It's an identity, and one that better reflects the thoughts and feelings of an artist." -Mg

There will be ten songs released on the album. Here's a taste of things to come with Matthew's performance of Springsteen's "I'm On Fire"... Enjoy! We'll see you again soon!

Mg To Perform At Twin Cities Women's Expo 2012

2012-01-31T13:57:00.000-08:00

Febuary 25th & 26th

Meet The Bands:
http://twincitieswomensexpo.com/Meet_the_Bands.html

Vets Aid Recognized at MAC-V Benefit Dinner

2011-09-27T22:46:00.001-07:00

Veterans Aid Was recognized at the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans annual benefit dinner. Here is the speech Matthew gave in honor of the special occasion.

OCTOBER 23 2011 at the Ft. Snelling Officer’s Club in St Paul, MN

“Thank you Kathy for that humbling introduction!

I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many leaders and active citizens around this town, but it never fails that at some point along the way I will hear the words, “I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this!” come out their mouth through a tone of irrational, but inevitable, frustration. It is at that point I say, “Well I have someone you should meet!… Her name is Kathy Vitalis and the good lord blessed her with one extra gear than he does most, and she never shies away from staying in that gear.”

Kathy has been such and inspiration and such a great leader and I know everyone here thanks you for all the hard work you and everyone at MAC-V have done.

Somewhere between reality and social stigma, lies the reason we are all here tonight. Certain truths have affected us all in some form or fashion,. One simple truth is that not everything always goes as planned… or even as hoped. That’s something that applies to anyone who has ever lived a day on this planet. It is a reality, that we as people do encounter obstacles, and that we are faced with challenges throughout our lives, and at times it can be a struggle to face them.

Just shy of 3 years ago, I went head on with many obstacles and challenges as I made my transition from soldier to civilian after 5 years of more than demanding service. Much of that was spent over seas and at times in hostile environments. When I returned home, I found that facing those obstacles and challenges was a struggle for me, and is still to this day the toughest one I’ve ever had to face. I felt like an outsider. I felt different. I felt alone. As I look back now, I can see the irony in that.

Here I had returned home, but in no way shape or form felt at “home“. Over the course of my journey and while facing those challenges, I learned one important lesson…. That is, to get through those times, you need to have something that gives you the perspective to see at least a potential for positive outcome. It’s important to find a window of hope to look through. Its important to be able to see a door that leads to the future.

Everyone in this room should stand proud tonight as you are here and part of MAC-Vs family, and for so many, MAC-V is that window of hope… and is that door to the future.

I’m honored to stand here tonight and represent one small voice and hopefully a guiding light. I can’t thank everyone at MAC-V enough for what they do and provide, and I can’t thank everyone here enough for supporting that. MAC-V has given so many efforts, to include the Veterans Aid Concert, a place to shine their light. Though its important to keep advocating to our communities about the issues and challenges that many of our nations veterans are faced with, I have personally found that nothing gives society more hope than to be able to speak of solutions and point to the path of positive outcome.

So, on that note… and on behalf of every veteran who has faced the honor, privilege and challenges that come with that title… I sincerely thank you for helping to keep that path clear ,and for helping us find it when we loose our way… And please don’t ever forget that the path you safe guard, is the one that brings us all the way home.

Thank you,”

- Matthew J. Griswold

Matthew then performed “Fading Away”

"Unbridled" has been added to the Twins play list at Target Field!

2010-06-23T06:22:00.001-07:00

You can now hear "Unbridled" at home games for the MN Twins at Target Field. The song has been added to the playlist to be featured during comercial breaks. If you havn't yet heard this track off of "Screaming From the Witch's Tower" than just click here and you can stream it for free. Thanks for your support and continue to check back for updates.

MNPLS Star Tribune/WCCO Interview

2010-06-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

Huge press week for Matthew,

Check out the full feature front page A&E article on Matthew
www.startribune.com

Listen to the interview with ESPN/WCCO Personality Michele Tofoya

Click Here -
http://wcco.cbslocal.com/2010/05/28/5-28-michele-tafoya-with-a-real-american-hero/

KDUZ/KARP Radio (The First Review)

2010-02-26T15:21:00.000-08:00

Well, here is the first review. Always a nerve racking moment, but I was really happy after reading this
"Screaming From The Witch's Tower"
Now Available on line

Screaming from the Witch's Tower was my first time listening to a Matthew Griswold CD. When you get an album in the mail with that title on it, it makes you stop and think...Oh boy, what's this going to be like. But I must say It was a very pleasant experience.

The entire CD kind of omits a "haunting" quality, which I like. I kind of felt on edge listening to the disc. There are no mushy, gushy love songs here...although "She is the Rose" is about as close as your gonna get. No song was more haunting to me than "Vampire", It gets you right from the opening notes.

I also very much enjoyed "Unbridled". Without even knowing Matthew was in the military (I found that out after listening to the disc)...I thought to myself, that song has kind of a military meets the old west meets rock and roll. Kind of a weird analogy, but to me that fits the song perfectly.

My favorite song on the disc was "Crazy". To me, every great song needs a chorus. A Chorus that live crowds and those listening on the radio can sing along to. This song has that chorus. It's got a nice beat to the song, found my foot tapping along, of course that could be the drummer in me coming out. Just a nice catchy tune, with a message.

In the Siskell and Ebert Fashion...my overall grade: Two Thumbs up. I shall look forward to getting Matthew's next disc in the mail whenever it shall come in the next few years.

Joel Niemeyer, KDUZ/KARP's (Asst Program Director and host of the MN Music Spotlight)Hutchinson, MN
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