WAIM #068: Matty C Live From Ames, IA

As you are almost certainly aware of by now, I just returned home from a month-long US tour that took me to 28 states and covered the eastern half of the US in extensive detail. The journey took me across much of America that I had never seen before as I played my songs in houses, backyards, on patios, decks, and in breweries, historic buildings, and even the grotto of a pie shop. Nearly every night for four weeks, I told stories and sang my songs to engaged and attentive audiences.Each of the 23 shows on this tour were a unique experience. While many of the songs were repeated from night to night, I did my level best to change up the sequencing of the songs and to try and to infuse new material to the sets as often as possible. I focused on my catalog of original songs from the last twenty years. At each gig, I played songs from my time in The Stick Arounds, Harborcoat, and The Pantones.What Am I Making is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In addition to those songs, I told many of the deep personal stories behind the songs, and even managed to infuse a bit of laughter into the proceedings as well. Knowing audiences at these shows would be familiar with little or more likely, none of my music, I felt that the stories would help to connect the listener to my songs in a more direct way. My hope was that folks would see flashes of their own lives in these stories and songs. The connection with the audience both during the show and before and afterward is always the most rewarding part of these tours.Toward the end of the tour, I found myself at a house concert in Ames, IA. Ames is a small college town in the middle of the state. I’d set the gig up through a friend of a friend and was unsure what to expect. My hosts Tom and Mary Jane were a lovely older progressive couple with a gorgeous home and yard. Eventually, some 40 people piled into the modest ranch house and we had an amazing evening with music by yours truly, as well as local guitarist Jason Monday and Rockets Of Desire, a band comprised in part by Tom and my other two hosts Bryon and Rachel Dudley. And to my friend Kim Nyborg for co-starring in the photo on the show card. I’ll tell the full recap story from the show very soon here on the blog. In the meantime, this week’s podcast is a recording of my full set from Tom and Mary Jane’s in Ames, IA. As I have said, each night is different, and no two shows the same, but this hour ought to give you an idea of what it’s like to spend an evening with Matty C at a house concert. Special thanks to Tom, Mary Jane, Bryon, and Rachel for their hospitality. And special thanks as well to my friend, Kim Nyborg for the selfie featured on the show card!Thanks again for all of the support and grace while I was on the road, my friends. It’s great to be back in the WAIM saddle once more.Cheers,Matty C Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe