Mathew Sydney
Palm Beach, Florida, United States | SELF
Music
Press
A fundraiser at Max's Grille in Mizner Park reeled in more than $5,000 for Pelican Harbor Seabird Station to benefit the wildlife victims of the Gulf oil spill. The event, co-sponsored by the Keyes Company, was headlined by local singer-songwriter Mathew Sydney and attracted more than 300 people. - Boca Magazine
I met singer-songwriter Mathew Sydney in a bathroom line, and he completely satisfied me.
Don't let that confuse you, cornchips; let a self-respecting carouser remind you that bathroom lines are for more than extracurricular cruising or bathroom-dance gyrations. At their most spiritual peak, bathroom lines are stolen moments with often like-gendered and sometimes like-minded revelers.
And a stolen moment it was in a bathroom line at West Palm Beach’s Fort Dix where I was able to trap the ears and mind of the budding musician Mathew Sydney.
First impressions: Sydney does not appear overly colorful or imposing. He doesn’t appear jaded and full of witticisms like so many gays today. He doesn’t seem overly concerned with class.
"I love D-major," Sydney tells me. Simple.
Now, after listening to his music, simplicity is what I've come to love about the guitar-playing crooner. He radiates a refreshing brand of straightforwardness. His personality and music make honesty easy and realness a virtue. He is simply a gay man dealing with a gay world.
If you need an example, then just listen to the song “Stacked Against You.” There is no trite-as-it-is-deep, overemotional outpouring. Instead, the song possesses a general gay truthfulness (reflected perfectly in the line: “You say you want me when you're chasing dick downtown.").
Other songs like "The Fiddler,” "Don't Push,” and “Ace of Hearts” betray Sydney’s cigarette charm: part Marlboro man, part smoke-covered Courtney Love. Always sultry.
Overall, Sydney is still a little raw, but I am totally taken by the friendly, pub-style mockery of his lyrics. In the future, I'd like to hear more crowd-riling jams and vocal-range exploration, but until then, fellow Palm Beachers, I recommend doing what I do and following his voice and career.
Mathew Sydney is one musician worth standing in a bathroom line for.
Check out Mathew Sydney’s upcoming shows and songs at www.mathewsydney.com.
- The Examiner
February 04, 2011 Kevin Shuppe - Lunch with Kevin on WPBR 1340 AM
Kevin Shuppe interviews singer-songwriter, Mathew Sydney about his music and his career.
- WPBR 1340 AM
Kevin interviews singer-songwriter Mathew Sydney about his music, craft and career. Follow the link below to the archive and go to the February 4th, 2011 show. - WPBR 1340 AM - Lunch with Kevin
There's something about the melody (of "Blackbird")... and the tone that really effects me at the core... thank you for the courage of being able to put yourself- pieces of yourself- in a song.
"Don't Push..." I love the lyrics to that song but I just really love the hook too. It is just so catchy!
[follow the link to hear the entire interview] - blogtalkradio
Discography
"The Fiddler" (digital single) 2012
The Game (full-length studio album) 2012
"You Know My Name" (digital single) 2011
"Stacked Against You (Acoustic)" (digital single) 2010
"Blackbird (Acoustic)" (digital single) 2010
"Don't Push (Acoustic)" (digital single) 2010
Drank Too Much (EP, acoustic/live) 2010
Photos
Bio
A consummate entertainer, Mathew Sydney has been a composer, actor and visual artist since an early age. His influences include classic rock giants such as Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles and The Beach Boys; pop sensations such as Pink, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Maroon5 and alternative artists such as R.E.M, The B-52's, Neko Case, The New Pornographers and Aimee Mann.
Sydney began performing at open mics in 2005 and by 2009 he was headlining his own shows at coffeehouses and clubs. Not one to simply strum away on his guitar, Sydney engages his audience through storytelling, conversation and dry humor. There is a story behind every song: sometimes funny, sometimes serious but always uplifting.
A devoted supporter of his fellow independent artists, Sydney also hosts a weekly internet radio show (http://blogtalkradio.com/indieflorida) where he features music by and interviews other artists. His live performances are also structured in a 'variety show' format, creating a showcase for audiences to experience other talented artists as well as Sydney's original music.
'The Game' (released in Feb, 2012) highlights his versatility as a composer with songs that feature elements of rock, jazz, folk, dance and psychedelia.
Sydney is currently at work on his follow-up album, which will include show favorites such as "Slow Burn," "Texas Hold Me" and "Mercedes and Lexus." He is also composing a rock opera that he describes as "a cross between 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'Rent.'"
Links
