Matthew Moon

By: Matt Neznanski, Staff Writer October 02, 2003

Matthew Moon isn't afraid to give away a few of his songs.
      The Denver, Colo., singer and songwriter is doing just that at many of his 180 shows each year after partnering with Apple computers. Fans can burn a CD with any three songs to take home for free.
      "If we can just get the music into their hands and they spread the word, it's nothing but good for us," said Moon.
      On Wednesday, his band and Apple computer representatives set up at Peoples Bar and Grill in Ames. Moon played solo acoustic guitar before his band took to the stage to drum up support for the music sharing.
      Des Moines Apple representative Stan Ethington said the partnership developed through two Moon fans in Colorado who happen to work for Apple.
      "Matt is very well known in the Denver and Boulder areas," Ethington said. "When he was playing at CU, he got hooked up with my counterparts."
      They gave Moon a computer and access to Apple's "student reps" at college campuses across the country. Moon said his band often plays during the day while students are going from class to class.
      "We get a lot of people like that," Moon said. "They can just listen and take it with them right there."
      Moon said this kind of music sharing has been popularized by Phish, a band known for its live shows and that encourages people to tape them. Moon said Phish sets up tents outside its shows for fans to burn any number of mostly unreleased songs for a fee.
      Lately, the recording industry has taken numerous steps to stop music sharing. Moon's music is not licensed by a distribution company, so he is able to give the songs away.
      He said he is working on becoming involved in online distribution programs: 'iTunes' is exclusive to Macintosh computers, while 'iMusic' is an ala carte service for PCs.
      The services charge around $1 per song, a move that eliminates subscription fees but still collects royalty money.
      Moon said giving away a few songs hasn't really cut into sales of his three albums.
      "It hasn't really done any of the things we were afraid of at the beginning," Moon said. "People still want something with a picture on it."
- Ames Tribune

By Sarah Keech - Journal Features Editor

IDAHO FALLS - The Matthew Moon Band will play Idaho Falls Feb. 5, and with free admission to the show at DB's Steak and Brew House, there is no reason to pass up some Thursday night fun.
For those unfamiliar with the Matthew Moon Band, bandleader Matthew Moon describes the music as "acoustic pop mixed with middle America rock n roll."

 

The group has been together for about 6 years, and was formed after Moon dropped out of the prestigious Berkelee College of Music in Boston and eventually moved back to his hometown of Denver.
Since returning to Colorado, Moon has been writing songs and putting out CDs. A still-untitled album coming out in June will be his fourth release since 1999.

"The new record will have a combination of solo songs and material with the band," Moon says. "This one really goes back to the roots. It's very mellow and has a slow vibe. It's really good bathtub music."
Along with writing and recording, Moon is spending many days and nights out on the road promoting both his music and music-related products for Apple computers.

"At some of my recent solo shows, Apple has been sending out laptops so fans can mix and match three songs and burn them for free onto a CD," Moon says. "Being connected with Apple has really helped get the music out there."
Moon recently had solo shows in New York City and at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

The stop in Idaho Falls marks Moon's first tour of 2004 with the band.
Along with Idaho Falls, the Matthew Moon Band will make tour stops along the West coast and at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, before they head to London, England, to perform in May. - Idaho State Journal