Matt Gold • Low

Ever since I was introduced to his by JD Doyle, I have been a fan of Matt Gold's music. There is a rich soulfulness in his voice, and a melodic beauty to his music. He is a real storyteller, bringing to life whatever tale is is singing about, and doing it with authenticity and style. This remains true with his latest single, "Low". Matt examines relationships and love, and what we do when we find ourselves in that situation. This is Matt Gold with "Low".

Gold's voice still touches me, and quickly discovered this was another song I needed in my collection. You can purchase "Low" from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Matt Gold, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter.

Matt Gold • On The Way

There has been much written, said, tweeted and posted about the supposed 'Religious Freedom' law signed into law by Indiana Governor Mike Pence. Sure, I have my opinion of what has unfolded, but what is even more important is the thoughts of an Indiana resident, like Matt Gold. Regular readers of the blog will know the music of this out and proud man from previous posts - I must admit I am a fan. But in the wake of the coverage of this bill, Gold has written a heartfelt and touching response, one that I felt compelled to share with you all. "I felt I had to write a song about what was going on in the state I have lived in for the past 20 years," Gold said on his Soundcloud page. "This is my way of hopefully helping the cause with positive reinforcement, sending a message of love, not hate." This is Matt Gold's "On The Way".

I just found this song to be lovely, and touched me on a deeper level than any amount of yelling could. He doesn't allow the conversation to be highjacked by tales of pizza parlors or Presidential primary hopefuls. Instead, he speaks for himself, and in the process, for so many others who won't stand for bigotry and hate. For those interested, I am posting the lyrics here.

"On The Way"

Lyrics and Music by Matt Gold

Light the fire

then slowly walk away

turn around

did anything remain

I have never been afraid of hate

I just won't have it

You've controlled our conscience

with demands

gave away our freedom

with your hands

even God himself

just wouldn't stand

for your waste

Go easy love

we need the love

to carry us through the day

go easy love

we need the love

to save ourselves

on the way

A coward only plays

a cowards game

did you get

your payoff and your fame

We shouldn't have to follow

in your shame

we just won't have it

To learn more about Matt Gold, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter and 'like' him on Facebook. While "On The Way" is not available for purchase, you can find his most recent release, the EP 'Let It Out', from iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.

Matt Gold • Let It Out

I first discovered the music of Matt Gold in 2012, when I first discovered his album debut, 'Drown Before You Swim'. I enjoyed the album, a collection of 10 piano-driven Pop songs that focused on issues of love and life. With strong singles and music videos for songs like "Oh Joe", "Void" and "Ordinary", the album is strong and oh-so-easy to love. So when I heard he was going to release an EP now, I couldn't wait to hear it.

Just last week, Gold released 'Let It Out', a four-song collection that included the already released "Appreciated". The cover features a piano, a lovely upright, set ablaze, lighting up the night. The EP kicks off with "Everything", a moody and brooding song that showcases the strong vocals of Gold. There is a wonderful yearning to the song. That is followed by the sweet and delicious "Appreciated", which never fail to bring a smile to my lips. I hope you enjoy the official music video for "Appreciated", which has been featured on the blog previously.

There is a staid beauty to the beginning of "Permanent Reflection". It carries a classical structure, and a beautiful melody. Matt's vocals are so pure and honest, I find this song so touching. The final track on the EP is the title cut, "Let It Out". The song starts out with a laid back feel, with a softness not found in the others. There are times Gold's vocals sounds like whispers, imploring you to listen closely. Soon it builds to something stronger and sweeter. When the last notes are sung, I have to tell you, I really enjoyed this collection and think you will as well. there is a nice mix of emotions and sounds, keeping me attentive and listening. And as always, Gold has a beautiful voice that never strays from delivering a performance that is on target. You can purchase the EP 'Let It Out' from iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. To learn more about Matt Gold, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter and 'like' him on Facebook.

Matt Gold • Appreciated

When I saw Matt Gold had a new music video out, I was instantly excited and couldn't wait to watch it. And to hear it. You see, ever since I head his first album, 'Drown Before You Swim', I've been a fan of his voice. And soon as the video began to play, I was excited, for it has a new sound and feel. While his earlier work has a personal feel, their is a delicious lightness to "Appreciated", and I just love it. And the music video is every bit as tasty, as it has such joy and whimsy. Just hit play and you will understand why I love Matt Gold's "Appreciated" so much!

I must assume that you now must love it too! The combination of animation and stop-action video adds to the light feel, and makes the video very bit a banquet for the eyes as it is for the ears! I had to buy it, and put it in my April 2014 playlist! "Appreciated' can be purchased from iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon. To learn more about Matt Gold, visit his official website. He can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.

Out In The Rain • Out Artists Singing About Weather

It was all over the television, there was a big storm coming to the area. According to both local newcasts and 'The Weather Channel', this was going to be a quick by hard storm. There were reports of the dark clouds coming in, and making it seem more like night than day. High winds and heavy rains would make it seem more like a monsoon than a spring shower, so they said. Soon the thunder and lightening could be heard in the distance, and some dark clouds came rolling in. It turned the day gray, not quite the darkness we expected. The wind blew a bit, but not enough to send the sheets of rain that followed too far. And just as quickly as it come in, it moved on through. The sky to the East showed the effects of lightning, flashing more dimly as the sound of moved further and further away.

With the storm gone, it left a glistening sheen on the plants, and puddles on the driveway with the occasional ripples from the drops off the trees. The birds came out, looking to eat, flying from one spot to another to check for worms and insects. Life was quickly back to normal. But it lasted long enough to make me think of songs about rain, some you might be familiar with, others refreshingly new. The first is a song by Darren Ockert, from his album 'Anything Is Possible'. There is a wonderful feel to the song, the sound of rain made in musical form. Enjoy "Out of the Rain" by Darren Ockert.

You can purchase 'Anything Is Possible', the album which features "Out of the Rain" on iTunes and Amazon. The next song has a beauty that is stunning in conjunction with the description of Manhattan's 8th Avenue. This is a very different rain than what I just experienced on the farm, but one I do remember from the decade I spent living in New York City. Dudley Saunder's evocative and intoxicating "The Rain on 8th Avenue" just fills me up like few songs could.

You can purchase the album 'Emergency Lane', which features "The Rain on 8th Avenue" on iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp. There is a wonderful tone to "The Rain", the beautiful song by Anna Gutmanis, off the album 'Glimmer in the Dark'. While listening, I begin to feel bewitched, transported into the story.

You can purchase 'Glimmer in the Dark', which features the song 'The Rain', on iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp. And finally, after bringing those three original songs to the post, I thought I would bring a classic in to complete the post. Matt Gold sings the classic "Come Rain or Come Shine", written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, but puts his own stamp on it, giving it new life. I found the song on his SoundCloud page, and am very glad I did. Here is Matt Gold singing "Come Rain or Come Shine".

You can find the song on Matt's SoundCloud page. If you'd like to check out more of Matt's music, he recently released the excellent album 'Drown Before You Swim'. You can purchase Drown Before You Swim' on iTunes and Amazon. And I hope this 'rain' music has helped brighten your rainy day at least a little bit.

Matt Gold • Void

Singer/songwriter Matt Gold has released his third music video, and proves once again to have a team that is loving the medium of video, and figured out how to make it love you back. After the videos for "Ordinary" and "Oh Joe", it should come as no surprise the video is visually interesting, and a natural complement to the song. "Void", like the songs from the previous two videos, can be found on Gold's debut album, 'Drown Before You Swim'. I loved the song, for it has such an aching quality, simply perfect for talking about the emptiness you feel immediately after love is lost, and a relationship ends. Shot in a lush Black & White format, the camera captures the most interesting aspects of Gold, and makes you see just how hurt he is, and just how handsome he is as well. Enjoy "Void".

I watch the video, and am moved each and every time, like it is telling my own life story. I bet if you shared it with your friends, they would say the same thing. You can find Matt Gold's album 'Drown Before You Swim' on iTunes and Amazon. To read the post featuring his music video for "Ordinary", click here. For the post about "Oh Joe", click here. If you would like to learn more about Matt Gold, visit his official website. He can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.

Music for a Rainy Night

Clockwise: Darren Ockert; Janis Ian; Matt Gold; and Dave Koz.

Here on the East coast, the rain started during the middle of the night, and has continued all day, at least for us. There are some reports it might change to snow, but so far, it has not. As I look out the window, I can hardly see, for the rain has beaten through the screen, causing a watery blur to make outside seem distant. So the cold and damp day also makes me want to reach for a blanket to curl up on the sofa, or even to crawl back into bed, snug in a warm blanket or two. All this made me think of a song or two, perfect to capture this feeling. It was then the light bulb went on, and I knew what I was going to post about - the rain. So I opened up iTunes, typed in 'rain' to see what came up. And a stunning 472 possibilities came up, giving me plenty of room to pick and choose. I decided to go with artists who were out and proud members of the LGBT community, making beautiful music. I still trimmed further, simply by picking some favorite songs. And one of those favorites is by Darren Ockert, an ElectroPop singer/songwriter. His song "Out of the Rain" is off his album 'Anything Is Possible'. The chorus is so damn catchy, I find the song irresistible.

You can purchase the album 'Anything Is Possible' on iTunes or Amazon. Folk artist Janis Ian is best known for her stunning "At Seventeen", a song that takes a close look at a young woman coming of age, and the pressures that come with maturing into womanhood. Her songs were often stories that were based on her experience, coming straight from the heart. Such is the case for the next song, "Night Rains". The moody song captures the feelings and emotions behind one of the rainy nights. Enjoy Janis Ian singing "Rainy Nights", off the album of the same name.

You can purchase the album 'Night Rains' on iTunes. There is something very sexy about listening to the Jazz Saxophone, which is almost doubled when I know it is a handsome man like Dave Koz. And when it is a song that seems to spen a bit of time steeping, and a little time brooding, all while you listen, I can't help but think this is a wonderful treat. That is how I feel about "Lullaby for a Rainy Night", a hit single off the 1996 album 'Off The Beaten Path'.

You can purchase the album 'Off The Beaten Path' on iTunes or Amazon. For the final song of the post, I picked a song that was written by Harold Arlen with lyrics by great Johnny Mercer. "Come Rain or Come Shine" was published in 1946, and quickly became a favorite of singers around the world. Some of the greatest names in the music business have taken their turn, an a couple have already appeared on this blog. I love when an artist can take a classic like this song, and deliver a performance from their heart that stands by itself, and I think I found that when I heard singer/songwriter Matt Gold take on "Come Rain or Come Shine". This song is a Jazz standard, but in this live performance, Gold makes it sound new and fresh. Listen for yourself.

Unfortunately, Matt Gold's performance of "Come Rain or Come Shine" is not available for purchase. But you can buy his debut album 'Drown Before You Swim' on iTunes or Amazon. And you can also listen to it on his Soundcloud page. I hope you are staying warm and dry this wet and chilly day.

Matt Gold • "Oh Joe" Video

The above are just a few screenshots from the new music video from singer/songwriter Matt Gold, "Oh Joe". The song is the second single off his first album, 'Drown Before You Swim', released last fall. Gold has a distinctive piano-driven sound that beautifully supports his voice. The music video for "Oh Joe" takes a look at the choices we make along life's journey, and how they can effect the rest of your journey, especially if a person might find themselves mired asking "what if?" Perhaps life doesn't end up the way you planned, sometimes that can lead you to a different, but happy path. The song is gorgeous, beautifully sung by Gold, who plays the 'Emcee' of this performance. Enjoy "Oh Joe".

"Oh Joe" is the first cut on the album, the first song I heard when I played it. It was a great introduction to Matt Gold's music then, and still is today. You can find Gold's album 'Drown Before You Swim' on iTunes and Amazon. To read the post featuring his music video for "Ordinary", click here. If you would like to learn more about Matt Gold, visit his official website. He can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.

Matt Gold • Ordinary

I just recently saw a new video from out singer/songwriter Matt Gold, and was instantly drawn to his music. Gold makes piano-driven Pop, with strong melodies that linger long after the track has faded on the iPod. Drown Before You Swim is a 10-song collection, mixing up some sweet Pop melodies with some haunting Alt.Rock sounds, with some interesting rhythms thrown in. But before I go too far, here is the first single off the album, "Ordinary".



You can purchase the single "Ordinary" iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. Gold, who lists photographer and former model among his credits, seems well-suited for his role as singer/songwriter. He's handsome and talented, and ready to impart his own experiences on the album. The lyrics have a soulful honesty, complementing the moody music. His voice is rich and full-throated, both when asking for the most as well as offering a more subtle whispered insight. From the opening bars of "Oh Joe" to the last few lifting notes from the piano on "Recovering", Gold doesn't stay true to any style, just to delivering music from the heart. I was particularly fond of the single, as well as the fourth track, "Mr. Cannonball", which takes the driving beat in an unexpected direction. I'm looking forward to listening to Drown Before You Swim many more times as I get to know Matt Gold just a little bit better.



You can purchase Down Before You Swim on iTunes and CD Baby. As I said, I am thrilled I have added this album to my collection, and will be spending much more time with Matt for years to come. To learn more about Matt Gold, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, or 'like' him on Facebook.