Music
Press
the story is too long to list here, please see the following link:
http://www.easyreadernews.com/story.php?StoryID=20034781 - Cover story - South Bay Newspaper
“His are unabashedly spiritual songs. Kennedy’s music reach[es] beyond the rock and roll dream of decadence and fame - whether to prisons, to Africa, or within a church or club.”
"Kennedy's voice is one of those rare ones. The similarity to Bono's is inescapable."
~ Mark McDermott, music critic - Mark McDermott, music critic
Label: Interleague Records
Rating: 9 out of 10
By C.W. Ross
Band Lineup: Matthew Kennedy (guitar, lead vocals), Jon Woolner (guitar), Paul Duncan (keys and vocals), Tim Worman (drums), and Andy Eggar (bass).
Let me start off by addressing the meaning of the album’s title, Avise la Fin. It’s taken from the Kennedy family crest and translates to, ‘Consider the End.’ After listening to this CD and reading some of Matthew Kennedy’s background I think that it’s the perfect choice for this release.
Matthew Kennedy has lived a life that’s truly been a roller coaster ride with both enormous highs and lows found throughout it. To give you a capsule version of his life Matthew was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, back when it was still racially divided. At the young age of 12 years old his father, who was only 54 died of a heart attack. Shortly afterwards Matthew had some trouble with alcohol use. In his later teen years he joined a popular multi-cultural Christian musical group called Khanysia. The group was known for their message of racial reconciliation. Matthew got to tour the world as one of the group’s lead singers. When the group broke up Matthew settled first in Nashville, eventually ending up in Los Angeles, California.
To make a long story short Matthew ended up getting too involved with the vibrant nightclub scene found in L.A., becoming both an alcoholic and cocaine addict. Getting him jailed twice in 5 years. If the story ended there it would be a sad story of much talent wasted but Matthew’s real story is one of redemption. He got his life together thanks to a marriage, adopted 8 years old girl from Columbia, and the birth of another daughter.
Now on to Matthew’s latest release, Avise la Fin. This release is filled with honest passion not often heard in songs. Matthew isn’t afraid to pour out his soul in the songs, as he gets out his message of hope and the Love of God.
The songs are divided between pop and rock sounding tracks filled with big guitar and drum parts, along with added musical pleasures like well place synth parts.
It’s Kennedy’s vocals and song lyrics though that brings the emotion to this album. One of the best examples of this can be found on the acoustic guitar ballad, “Wait.” The song revolves around the death of his father and dealing with the bitter last words that he said to him. The song works as a vehicle for Kennedy to get the pain and hurt that he’s felt and carried for many years out.
Matthew Kennedy’s life story and music have so much to offer to a hurting world looking for hope and redemption. Much of that spirit is captured on this release and I highly recommend that you get it. - Christian Rockers Online
Label: Interleague Records
Rating: 9 out of 10
By C.W. Ross
Band Lineup: Matthew Kennedy (guitar, lead vocals), Jon Woolner (guitar), Paul Duncan (keys and vocals), Tim Worman (drums), and Andy Eggar (bass).
Let me start off by addressing the meaning of the album’s title, Avise la Fin. It’s taken from the Kennedy family crest and translates to, ‘Consider the End.’ After listening to this CD and reading some of Matthew Kennedy’s background I think that it’s the perfect choice for this release.
Matthew Kennedy has lived a life that’s truly been a roller coaster ride with both enormous highs and lows found throughout it. To give you a capsule version of his life Matthew was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, back when it was still racially divided. At the young age of 12 years old his father, who was only 54 died of a heart attack. Shortly afterwards Matthew had some trouble with alcohol use. In his later teen years he joined a popular multi-cultural Christian musical group called Khanysia. The group was known for their message of racial reconciliation. Matthew got to tour the world as one of the group’s lead singers. When the group broke up Matthew settled first in Nashville, eventually ending up in Los Angeles, California.
To make a long story short Matthew ended up getting too involved with the vibrant nightclub scene found in L.A., becoming both an alcoholic and cocaine addict. Getting him jailed twice in 5 years. If the story ended there it would be a sad story of much talent wasted but Matthew’s real story is one of redemption. He got his life together thanks to a marriage, adopted 8 years old girl from Columbia, and the birth of another daughter.
Now on to Matthew’s latest release, Avise la Fin. This release is filled with honest passion not often heard in songs. Matthew isn’t afraid to pour out his soul in the songs, as he gets out his message of hope and the Love of God.
The songs are divided between pop and rock sounding tracks filled with big guitar and drum parts, along with added musical pleasures like well place synth parts.
It’s Kennedy’s vocals and song lyrics though that brings the emotion to this album. One of the best examples of this can be found on the acoustic guitar ballad, “Wait.” The song revolves around the death of his father and dealing with the bitter last words that he said to him. The song works as a vehicle for Kennedy to get the pain and hurt that he’s felt and carried for many years out.
Matthew Kennedy’s life story and music have so much to offer to a hurting world looking for hope and redemption. Much of that spirit is captured on this release and I highly recommend that you get it. - Indie Music Stop
Label: Interleague Records
Rating: 9 out of 10
By C.W. Ross
Band Lineup: Matthew Kennedy (guitar, lead vocals), Jon Woolner (guitar), Paul Duncan (keys and vocals), Tim Worman (drums), and Andy Eggar (bass).
Let me start off by addressing the meaning of the album’s title, Avise la Fin. It’s taken from the Kennedy family crest and translates to, ‘Consider the End.’ After listening to this CD and reading some of Matthew Kennedy’s background I think that it’s the perfect choice for this release.
Matthew Kennedy has lived a life that’s truly been a roller coaster ride with both enormous highs and lows found throughout it. To give you a capsule version of his life Matthew was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, back when it was still racially divided. At the young age of 12 years old his father, who was only 54 died of a heart attack. Shortly afterwards Matthew had some trouble with alcohol use. In his later teen years he joined a popular multi-cultural Christian musical group called Khanysia. The group was known for their message of racial reconciliation. Matthew got to tour the world as one of the group’s lead singers. When the group broke up Matthew settled first in Nashville, eventually ending up in Los Angeles, California.
To make a long story short Matthew ended up getting too involved with the vibrant nightclub scene found in L.A., becoming both an alcoholic and cocaine addict. Getting him jailed twice in 5 years. If the story ended there it would be a sad story of much talent wasted but Matthew’s real story is one of redemption. He got his life together thanks to a marriage, adopted 8 years old girl from Columbia, and the birth of another daughter.
Now on to Matthew’s latest release, Avise la Fin. This release is filled with honest passion not often heard in songs. Matthew isn’t afraid to pour out his soul in the songs, as he gets out his message of hope and the Love of God.
The songs are divided between pop and rock sounding tracks filled with big guitar and drum parts, along with added musical pleasures like well place synth parts.
It’s Kennedy’s vocals and song lyrics though that brings the emotion to this album. One of the best examples of this can be found on the acoustic guitar ballad, “Wait.” The song revolves around the death of his father and dealing with the bitter last words that he said to him. The song works as a vehicle for Kennedy to get the pain and hurt that he’s felt and carried for many years out.
Matthew Kennedy’s life story and music have so much to offer to a hurting world looking for hope and redemption. Much of that spirit is captured on this release and I highly recommend that you get it. - The CD Reviewer
Discography
Makes Me Alright, Avise la Fin
Photos
Bio
“His are unabashedly spiritual songs. Kennedy’s music reach[es] beyond the rock and roll dream of decadence and fame - whether to prisons, to Africa, or within a church or club.”
~ Mark McDermott, music critic
Matthew Kennedy’s life is a journey - both on earth and in spirit.
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, this singer/songwriter left his homeland to tour with the Christian band Khanyisa - signed to Resolve Records. Khanyisa toured Europe, Asia, Africa, and the US, then broke up and Matthew relocated to Los Angeles, CA.
After receiving critical praise for his solo cd, “Makes Me Alright”, Matthew found himself re-examining his life. He got married, reconnected with Jesus, adopted an 8-year-old girl from Colombia while, in the same year, gave birth to another daughter.
Matthew's latest release “Avise la Fin” (translation: "Consider the End", taken from the Kennedy family crest) is available on iTunes.
Links
