Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
By John Barnes
With Denver growing as fast as it has, you may be new here. That's the only reason we have to tell you that Matthew Moon is one of the most prominent singer/songwriters in our local, very active music scene. He began writing and performing in 1990, and now, at 32, he has a large regional following, the beginnings of national exposure, several recordings out with more on the way, and an insanely busy schedule.
Currently the biggest project in Moon's life is the Colorado Songwriter's Circle, which he helped found. "My sister is a healer in Boulder," he explains, "and she was bringing in these shaman-musicians from South America, to perform for thirty to fifty friends in her living room, where they could also set up a table and sell sweaters and hats and so on, and it just worked really well for getting them heard and getting people in touch with them. So some of us thought, well, we can do the same thing for original songwriters – throw house parties where we all played each others' music together and as it grew we started to think, maybe we should take it around the country, because people really like the comfortable living room environment where you can actually hear the music."
As a result, this year the Colorado Songwriter's Circle tour is on the road, featuring Moon, plus three other singer/songwriters with strong followings: Nina Storey, Wendy Woo, and Christopher Jak. The Colorado part of the tour began in February, playing to sold-out enthusiastic rooms in Glenwood Springs, Beaver Creek, and most recently a double show here at the Walnut Room in Denver. On stage in the intimate environment, you have something "almost like having an all star band – four phenomenal songwriters in their own right, all collaborating together, playing songs on their own, but as the night progresses they play each others' music and sing harmonies on each others' tunes." The evening concludes with some jamming on standards.
In March the tour will move to the East Coast, playing in legendary venues like the Bitter End.
"We're just trying to get the music and the writing the respect it deserves, in venues where it will be appreciated. You want to inspire people but you want people to actually listen to what you're doing," Moon says. Though his lyrics and music have always been complex, intricate, and interesting, often dealing with complicated personal feelings in the best tradition of performing songwriters, for years he played the college bar scene, with a distinctive rock-pop sound that critics either praised or sniffed at for being "radio-friendly."
"This audience is there to listen, not just to groove. My past three records were geared to college bar scene; this next one is more intellectual. I wouldn't say my songwriting is changing; it's just that since I've gotten older I want to play my music for people who will appreciate it." Hence his forthcoming CD features mainly acoustic guitar and vocals, "getting back to basics and presenting my songs bare-bones and in their purest form. More of a singer-songwriter style than I've recorded up till now."
Not that he intends to quit rocking; he has also just finished an EP he says is "more groovy, more of a band approach. Though we won't be doing bars anymore, I'm still planning to tour with a group, and when we play theaters, definitely there's dancing going on. All music has rhythm, and whether it's acoustic or not there's always going to be a groove to it."
D E T A I L S
The Colorado Songwriter's Circle Tour will be on the East Coast this month; if you're out there, go cheer for the home team (and hear some great music in a place where you can hear). Scheduled dates are:
March 7 – the Bitter End in NYC
March 8 – Jammin' Java in Arlington VA
March 10 – The Attic in Boston
March 15 – the Cutting Room in NYC - 303 Magazine
Discography
Matthew Moon- "More Than I Can Give" (1999), "I Thought U Should Know" (2002), "XOM" (2003)
Nina Storey- "Guilt and Honey" (1997), "Bootleg" (1998), "Shades" (1999), "Nina Storey" (2003), "24 Off the Board" (2004).
Wendy Woo- "Angels In The Crowd" (1997), "Wide Awake And Dreaming" (1999), "Gonna Wear Red" (2003), "Ecolalia" (2003), "Walking The Skyline" (2004)
Christopher Jak- "Applause Of The Rain" (2003), "The New Nostalgia" (2005)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Colorado Songwriter's Circle
The Colorado Songwriters Circle was formed in October of 2004 by singer/songwriter Matthew Moon.
My parents were the inspiration for this. They started hosting musicians from South America to come and perform at our family home, giving them a platform for their art as well as a place to sell their hand-made sweaters, hats, and mittens. Thirty or forty family friends would arrive and pack our cozy living room. They soon began hosting song-circles that quickly bcame the most exclusive parties in town."
The Colorado Songwriters Circle is a constantly changing, elite group of singer/songwriters from Colorado that tour the country.
The first installment features four long-time friends, Matthew Moon, Nina Storey, Wendy Woo, and Christopher Jak. Having performed in many song circles together, it was imperative that this specific group be the first to bring their rich comraderie and entertaining musical chemistry to the stage. The first launch took place at Denver Mayor, John Hickenloopers annual Christmas party in December, 2004. The east coast launch party will take place at the legendary Bitter End in New York City on March 7th, 2005, to be followed by an east coast tour and a final show at the Cutting Room in New York City on March 15th, 2005.
Matthew Moon (www.matthewmoon.com)
Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Matthew Moon has emerged as one of the freshest voices in the Rocky Mountain region. Moons songwriting ranges from folk rock reminiscent of Jackson Browne and Dan Fogelberg, to the classic sounds of Eddie Money and Marshal Crenshaw. With three full length albums to date, Moons fourth album is slated to debut in April 2005.
Matthew Moon has attained elite status amongst Colorado singer/songwriters. In 2004 Moon was a featured artist on the renowned KBCO Studio C compilation, along with Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, and Big Head Todd and the Monsters. In 2003, Moon was awarded Editors Choice in 5280, Denvers leading lifestyle magazine, as well as Album of the Year in 2002 for the release, I Thought U Should Know (Riff Magazine). Matthew Moon has been nominated for the Westword Music Awards five times and has performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Fillmore Auditorium, and Mile High Stadium, as well as venues in Amsterdam, Dublin, London, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Tight songwriting and lush delivery prompt Colorado rock fans to tout this performer as the state's next breakoutDenver Post-2004
In the past three years, Matthew Moon has come to exemplify the best in Front Range, singer/songwriter pop- Boulder Weekly
Nina Storey (www.ninastorey.com)
Singer/songwriter from Boulder, Colorado, Nina Storey, blends an eclectic sound of blues, rock, funk and pop. She has been compared to a diverse group of artists such as Janis Joplin, Chaka Kahn, Tori Amos, Whitney Houston and Billie Holiday.
She has been featured on CNN Showbiz Today, MTV Online, and Rolling Stone Online. In addition, she has received rave reviews in publications such as; People Magazine, Billboard Magazine, Performing Songwriter, Music Connection, Totally Adult and several of Colorados top magazines including Westword and 5280 Magazine, who have named her vocalist and songwriter of the year. Nina has also placed her songs in several television shows and films.
She is also a featured artist, on Frontier Airlines in-Flight Entertainment Channel, Wild Blue Yonder. Nina was also selected by Jazziz Magazine to appear on their annual, WOMEN compilation CD in 2004.
Nina has been selected to endorse Klipsch Audio as they have said, "the passion this emerging singer songwriter displays proves she's a true original."
Heres an artist to definitely keep your eye on. CD Baby
Wendy Woo (www.wendywoo.com)
Though born in New York City, Wendy Woo grew up in Colorado. Her energetic personality, musical skills, and spirited songwriting have made her a media and fan favorite.
Woos talent has not gone unnoticed. Her music has been featured in Uncommon Goals, a 1999 Discovery Channel documentary about the gold medal-winning U.S. womens soccer team, and the Food Networks FoodNation with Bobby Flay. She also sings the theme song for Good Day Colorado, the weekday morning show on Denvers Fox affiliate.
In addition, she has won numerous accolades including:
Best Singer/Songwriter (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003), Best Nationally Undiscovered Artist, and Best Acoustic Artist (Denvers Westword).
Independent Artist of the Year (2003) (Hapi Skratch Entertainment).
Best Musician (The Boulder Weekly).
Best Singer/Songwriter (The Boulder Daily Camera).
Best Local Artist (Colorado Daily).
Winner of the Colorado Lilith Fair Talent Search.
http://www.matthewmoon.com/Named to music critics Best Colorado CDs of the Year lists: Ecolalia (The Denver Post and Westword) and Gonna Wear Red(DenverLoca
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