don't miss this one

My friends, I love music. Do you know that about me? I don't know about tastes, as far as genres, per se - I love what I love and I don't what I don't. And, tooting my horn, I like to think I recognize talent, even when the talent doesn't match my particular taste (nor when, as happens occasionally, my taste reflects a severe lack of talent). But this, my friends, this is tasty...

What are you doing next Friday night?

May I suggest that next week you forego one of your meals out, a few of your Big Gulps, even sacrifice a few gallons of gasoline to save a mere $10 and get ye to SmithsTix to prepare to meet...

This guy.

Matt Harding is his name. I became acquainted with him through my friends Scott & Sarah who run an independent record label called Groundloop Records. Scott is a producer and musician, and Sarah modestly claims that she 'just helps out behind the scenes a little'.

Sarah let me know that Matt would be playing at a little home-type gathering in Springville a while back and I went, not knowing what to expect but very, very eager to hear this guy who came from NYC to play a few shows. Very friendly, this big bear of a guy introduced himself to me (which was great since I was alone amongst a crowd in a perfect stranger's house) and eventually took his place center stage (intimate setting, but this house is COOL). He's one of those guys that you look at and think his hands will be too big for the strings of a guitar. But he played flawlessly as if the guitar was simply an extension of his arm. His set was so eclectic - folk, rock, blues...he even did a lovely instrumental number that made me think, "What is this? I know this song...oh, yes. It's 'Come Thou Fount of Ev'ry Blessing' - so lovely and not at all boring and church-y, yet still reverent...ish." (My thought process...very, uh, how you say...word-y...) That was a great show that night, and I was sorry I didn't have any cash with me to buy one of his CDs. Next week, I shall make sure I have cash.

He will be opening for a group called Kalai, of which I know nothing, other than whoever is in charge made an excellent choice for an opening act (or did they? Will Kalai be able to confidently take the stage following such an act?). Here's the information (if you didn't already click on the above link):

Friday, February 17th

McKay Events Center, UVSC

Doors open at 7:pm, General Admission seating

Tickets are $10 in advance, or $12.50 the day of the show

I hope to see you at the show. I will be there with my daughter (yes, it's just that friendly.)

Advanced copies of Matt Harding's CD (produced by Groundloop Records) will be available for purchase at the UVSC show, and there will be an official release show for the CD in April. To learn more about Matt Harding, and especially to hear some of his music, you can check out his myspace site here. Also, his album is on iTunes, and you can listen to clips of all the songs here.