Music
Press
"..High-caliber compositions, terrific performances, and a hook-you-in quality!" - Indie-Music
“Spirituality, that’s where it all started,” explains 23-year-old Matt Masih enthusiastically. “A lot of my musical background is rooted with spirituality in playing traditional gospel music in church.” From the age of seven, the naturally upbeat Masih has been making positive and uplifting music, from the church gospel group to his latest effort, fronting his very own pop-infused funk jam band, Matt Masih & The Messengers. With spirituality serving as the foundation for his creative process, it made sense for the young songwriter to find inspiration in the soul-driven, pop-influenced style of Motown. “I can speak for all of us in the band that people rooted in the heart of Motown have had a big influence on us,” Masih animatedly divulges his passion for the genre. “I like to keep it old school,” he says, “Big influences include The Funk Brothers, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley & the Wailers.” Masih and his backup band of long-time friends blend the energetic funk grooves of yesteryear with today’s cultivated and refined pop aesthetic, delivering danceable, high-energy live performances with spontaneous improvisations and solos that come with a jam band. Passionate about his music and wary of the pitfalls of the music industry today, Masih has taken a grassroots approach to the business aspect of his musicianship with his upcoming self-released album: recording at local studios, producing the album himself, and booking and promoting shows with the help of the band and close friends. Gathering his Messengers just over a year and a half ago, Masih and the group play often around town thanks to the help from local venues. “We’ve had much support from The Catalyst and 99 Bottles … and now the scene is shifting a lot with up-and-coming venues like The Crepe Place bringing great acts from the Bay Area,” Masih says with much respect. This week’s CD release show marks the debut of his self-titled EP.
Written by Brian Echon
Tuesday, 11 November 2008 / GOOD TIMES (santa cruz, ca.) - Good Times
Discography
Matt Masih [EP]
Released November 2008
singles: * "The Way You Love Me"
* "Getting to Know"
Photos
Bio
www.myspace.com/mattmasihmusic
Launched in Santa Cruz, CA, Matt Masih has captured the ears of a new breed of listeners who anticipate not only just catchy hooks and tasteful licks, but music that has creatively been composed and channeled to connect with the heart of listeners all around the world. At age 23, Matt Masih has delivered a fresh understanding of what it sounds like to write music within a culture that demands a high standard of quality musicianship. Along with a collected style of fused together Pop, Soul, and R&B, Matt Masih has adapted to a strong Funk foundation that has been rooted from the heart of Mo-Town Music. His passion behind the music has been entirely to express meaningful lyrics and hope for listeners that go through everyday situations, struggles, and experiences that we can all, at times, relate too. Stay tuned for the pending highly-anticipated 6 track self-titled [ep] to be released November 2008.
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