Mathis Grey
Gig Seeker Pro

Mathis Grey

Fort Wayne, IN | SELF

Fort Wayne, IN | SELF
Band Folk Singer/Songwriter

Calendar

Music

Press


"Have guitar, will travel"

By John Hubner

A lot can be said for something as simple as a
singer and his guitar. Up on stage nothing other than
his instrument of choice separates the musician from
the rest of the world. His words are not masked with
sound effects, backing musicians or gimmicks. They
leave the singer’s mouth and come directly to you,
floating on strummed chords. This is the power the
singer/songwriter wields. He or she offers a mainline
to their heart and soul. It’s a glimpse into good times
and bad times, hopes, longings, desires, a therapy session, spiritual healing and gallery showing all rolled
together with a stool and a mic thrown in.
Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Nick
Drake, purveyors of the coffeehouse open mic, helped
romanticize the notion of the acoustic troubadour.
They made it cool to be open about your feelings. But
they didn’t just break down and cry on stage. They
gave us their honest emotions through play-on-words,
poetry and the love of language.
Fort Wayne native and singer/songwriter Mathis
Grey can be added to the list of singer/songwriters
helping to keep the coffeehouse tradition alive. He
writes introspective, acoustic folk-pop that connects
on several levels with listeners. He’s what you’d call
“the real deal”
Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Grey started out
by playing in the school band in 6th grade. Like building blocks, he began that climb to introspective songwriter through the trial-by-fire known as school band.
Eventually band would lead to finding a songwriter’s
voice, even at a young age.
“I started writing music in the 7th grade,” he
says. “It started with poems, then small songs. Then I
started to write songs that took time, and I put a lot of
thought into them.” What started as strumming some
chords and writing simple poetry turned into a lifelong
love of music. In the years leading up to and including
his current release, Mathis has released five albums.
Leaking, Deeper Now, Before the Door Opens, Simple
Favorites and his newest, Two Steps from the Road,
are a testament to Grey’s need to share his art through
melody and word.
Talking about current artists who have helped
shape his sound, Grey says, “I really like Grant Lee
Phillips, Howlin’ Wolf, The Killers and David Gray.
I pretty much listen to everything. Music is a big part
of my day, whether I’m listening to it or playing it
myself.”
On his Reverbnation page, he also touts Amos Lee
and John Mayer as musicians he sounds like. I can
hear the Mayer similarity on a song like “Midnight
Angel” off of Two Steps From The Road. It’s a mix
of folk and blues rock that would definitely make any
Mayer fan happy. With Grey’s soulful rasp he could
give Mayer a run for his money.
Soulful. That’s the word that comes to mind (my
mind, anyway) when you hear Grey sing. He takes a
bit of everything and puts all the right amount of ingredients to make his very unique brand of acoustic
folk rock. But let’s hear what Mathis has to say about
his sound.
“My music is folk rock with a sprinkle of soul in
it. I think I have a song for every emotion. I try and
just let all my emotions out in my music so people can
really feel it when they listen,” he says.
Feel it they do. Mathis recorded his latest album at
T. Bush Recording in Syracuse, and you can tell in the
tight mixes and tasty guitar licks throughout. It sounds
like Grey and Tim Bushong are a good match; Bushong helps bring Mathis’ voice and poetry-to-music
from the coffeehouse to the arena.
I wondered how a guy like Grey writes. Does
he write five songs in an evening? Or is it a slower,
more painstaking process? Class Clown Spots a UFO
or Chinese Democracy? Does he always record in the
lush cornfields of northern Indiana with Mr. T. Bush,
or does he ever go DIY at his home and set up a mic in
the bathroom?
“I write some songs fast, and then sometimes a
song can take me months to get out. It just depends on
how I’m feeling at the time. I have recorded at home,
but all my latest works have been done in local studios.” Lush studios and home recording. He serves the
song, not the songwriter.
If you follow Grey on any of the social networks,
you’ll know the man is busy. He’s not at home waiting
for something to happen. He’s out hitting pavement.
From Milwaukee to New York City, Grey is spreading the word. He’s not content to just play locally. He
knows that the success he seeks is far beyond the Allen County line. It lies in the urban cityscapes of Chicago, the dilapidated coffeehouses of the East Village
and the sunburnt stages of Austin. With guitar case in
his hand and a map (or GPS) on his dashboard, Mathis
is making tracks all over the country.
“I am headed all over the U.S. soon to play shows
in New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and many
more places. I will be opening up for American Idol
vocalist Brooke White at the Starry Skies & S’more
Fundraiser [near Syracuse] on October 13.”
So what’s up next for Mathis Grey, travelling
acoustic troubadour?
“I have a new album coming out later this year
called Handsome Mysteries, and it’s gonna be pretty
good,” he said. Touring, writing, recording and Handsome Mysteries – Mathis Grey isn’t waiting for success to find him. He’s got the van loaded and the songs
ready to go. Success, Mathis Grey is coming for you. - Whatzup Magazine


Discography

"Leaking"2007
"Deeper Now"2008
"Before The Door Opens"2008
"Simple Favorites"2009
"Daydreams"single 2010
"Living Room Sessions"Summer 2011
"Two Steps From The Road" Fall 2011
"Handsome Mysteries"Fall 2012

"Handsome Mysteries" is a journey through the mind of singer-songwriter Mathis Grey. Mathis went back to his roots and made a acoustic version of his latest album. With his guitar, a mic, his voice and awesome lyrics, he takes you on a ride of emotions with songs like "Dancer"..."Sunshine"...."Freak Of Nature" and many more. This is one album that needs to be on your fall list!!!

Photos

Bio

Mathis Grey - Crush House Ent Artist

Ft. Wayne, Indiana - Mathis Grey is a singer/songwriter from Fort Wayne IN. He has been writing, recording and performing for many years. His sound is a folk rock/acoustic rock style with a sprinkle of soul mixed in. His hopes are to branch out of his home town and play his music for other audiences around the country.

"Handsome Mysteries" is a journey through the mind of singer-songwriter Mathis Grey. Mathis went back to his roots and made a acoustic version of his latest album. With his guitar, a mic, his voice and awesome lyrics, he takes you on a ride of emotions with songs like "Dancer"..."Sunshine"...."Freak Of Nature" and many more. This is one album that needs to be on your fall list!!!

I have played shows at:
"National Underground" in New york, NY
"Alphabet Lounge"New york, NY
"National Underground" Nashville, TN
"Skylark Cafe & Club" Seattle,WA
"Freakin Frog" Las Vegas, NV
"Elbo Room" Chicago, IL
"Opening Bell" Dallas, TX
"Piere's" Fort Wayne ,IN
"Borders Bookstore" Fort Wayne ,IN
"Gusto Lounge" Lancaster, PA
"Firefly" Fort Wayne,IN
"816 Pint & Slice" Fort Wayne, IN
"Brewha Coffeehouse" Columbia City,IN
"CS3" Fort Wayne, IN
"Wooden Nickel Music" Fort Wayne, IN
"The Black Sparrow" Lafayette,IN
"Lazy Daze Coffeehouse" Indianapolis, IN
"Rachael's Cafe" Bloomington, IN
"Hideaway Saloon" Louisville, KY
"400 Bar" Minneapolis, MN
"Honey Bar" Minneapolis, MN
and more.