The first time
I heard the Philadelphia based musician, Matt Vantine's power popping song
"Drop Dead" I was driving. I
immediately started that little car groove I do when a song comes on that grabs
me. The track ripples with shimmery guitar sounds mixed with dark subject
matter. In short, it’s a snarky jam that made me say Yes! While Matt and I are
not of the same generation (X vs. Millenial) I dated before cell phones. Being
able to tell a person, whether a romantic interest or friend to "Go Drop
Dead" was a right of power. One couldn't hide behind a text back in the day.
Now if a "Go Drop Dead" text sailed onto the screen it would be a
slap in the virtual face. Either way, Matt’s righteous bop sums up getting fed
up with narcissists and flakes.
Matt is a seasoned
musician who spent the past decade fronting Fleeting Ends, who came upon
moderate success in Indie rock circles. Matt makes
his money as a guitar instructor who told me he “learns as he teaches.” He utilizes unique guitar tunings in a very
Nick Drakeish manner. Finger picking works for Matt as he writes socially
observant lyrics based on personal experiences.
Believe me babe
Your no picnic in the
shade
"Drop Dead" rolls with
the poppy fk you vibe. In the video, he sports a slick look with fitted
denim, imposing Ray Bans and jet black hair with a slight Joe Strummer slick
back.
He moves through the
sunny tree lined good neighborhood of Philly as he keeps his guitar close to
his side. He creatively adorns his electric and acoustic guitars with fake
roses and tambourine parts. The song stays with you more than most of the pop
driven songs that got many radio plays this year. The emphasis he puts on
the ending line captures his ability to sing of dark matter with a breezy
flair.
I wish you all the
best
But go drop dead
The first single he
dropped as a solo artist was in March of this year. Again, he gifts us a track
that is both infectious yet acerbic
“The Goddess and Me”
shows off his brightly iridescent flamenco "look mom no pick" guitar
style. The story is a fabricated depiction of an unrequited love story. What if
a famous celeb looked his way and a romance ensued. He employs carefree sarcasm
to know but he wouldn't be able to be in HER spotlight.
She is used to being
admire
He’s used to standing
in line
Matt's use of
irreverent wit drives his lyrics. His unique guitar playing, based on
intriguing, insouciant tuning solidifies the appealing nature of his latest work. Moving
from front man to solo can be a dramatic challenge but Matt is handling it in
stride. Now this young gun is primed to take on the airways as just Matt
Vantine. I am hoping his latest
offerings are paving the way for more smart sardonic song writing mixed with sophisticated
guitar playing. His music
making reminds me of some of my favorite 90s Brit Pop. I used to get a laugh
when digging into some of Pulp and Blur’s songs that were catchy yet biting numbers
revolving around social situations and unexpected sexual encounters.
In short, the world
went to crazy shit this year, with political improprieties and moral
perversions. Yet the music of 2019, youth driven mixed with old seasoned
souls, proved surprisingly inspiring and impressive. J'ADORE.
Fun Fact – He “stickers” up his guitars. He also adorns them with fake
roses and tambourine parts. Unique!
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