Matt Meighan

"Though the way ahead never did get clear, I guess we made it after all" sings Portland songwriter Matt Meighan, and the experience of miles traveled and life lived is easy to hear in his music. Drawing on his years as an activist, journalist, parent and poet, Matt writes songs that are at turns personal, political, poignant and funny, infused with a philosophical bent and an audible love of language.

A song collector as well as writer, Matt mixes his tradition-steeped, thought-provoking originals with songs by fellow songwriters as well as older songs from the folk and blues traditions. His commitments to good writing and "truth-telling" are clear in the songs he chooses and the songs he writes, many of which are performed by other songwriters. He is currently recording his second CD, Long Way 'Round.

Matt's engaging, relaxed performance style and fingerstyle acoustic guitar make him an ideal performer for house concerts and similar listening venues. He also performs as a duo, with Sherry Pendarvis on upright bass, and adds a fiddle or mandolin player to perform as a trio.

After earning an MFA in poetry at the Jack Keruoac school of Disembodied Poetics (Naropa University) in Boulder, Colorado, Matt turned his hand to songwriting and became a signifcant part of the Boulder acoustic music scene, organizing monthly songwriter gatherings and hosting numerous songwriter showcases. In 2003 moved to Portland, where he performs regularly, teaches a popular "Songwriting as Truth Telling" class, and hosts weekly Songwriter Roundup shows at Artichoke Music and a monthly "For the Sake of the Song " Series at McMenamin's Edgefield.

Matt began playing songs while still in high school in Chicago in the 1960s. His musical education began at the Old Town School of Folk Music and haunting the blues and jazz clubs of 1960s Chicago. He has since traveled the world with his music, performing in venues and on street corners across the U.S., Australia and Italy, and has regularly brought his songs to the pubs of Ireland over the last 20 years. He and his wife Nancy met at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville Texas, which they attend every year. Since moving to Portland Matt has become both a popular performer and an ardent supporter of the Portland-area acoustic music community.

Durable songs to get you through many road miles"
- Southeast Examiner, Portland Oregon

"One of the most honest voices in folk music."
- Songwriter Danny Shafer, Boulder Colorado

"Tweaks your head into finally agreeing with your heart." - Wendy W., Austin TX