the matthew show

It's time to meet the cast of the Dark Forest radio play. 

The role of Josiah Cobble is played by Stefan Prigmore. 

A renowned songwriter and performer, Stefan has garnered significant acclaim for his songs from people who know what they're talking about. He played Ricky Cutler in the Rewired radio play. If he performs near your neck of the woods, y'all oughta. 

Production continues apace, hoping for a late Fall release. Huge thanks to all the contributors. 

The making of texas was based on a bet. One I made between myself and the universe. The wager was that at the turn of the twenty first century, with culture gatekeepers struggling to keep the ground under their feet, there would be a sizable number of listeners who hoped to find artists speaking a language that neither reflected the mainstream nor the officially sanctioned 'alternatives' to it.

This turned out to be true, although it took quite a while for that revolutionary reality to firm up. In the meantime, it was perhaps quixotic to level my javelins at GenX alternaculture whilst trying to establish a musical nom de guerre in the new online marketplace. In 2026, it's a bit amusing to hear lines about the Church of the Subgenius alongside anime and John Coltrane, but all of those things were part and parcel of the High Fidelity record store/backstage at the black-walled club authoritative cool kids scene I slogged uncomfortably through in the '90s. Emerging on the back side of that, maybe I was feeling a bit fighty.

That said, this song is among my most vulnerable, revealing a depth of unhipness that most would have hidden, but which to me felt like a rallying cry. On the occasions when someone connects with it, we see each other clearly, there on the outside looking in.

Here's to the misfits. 

the matthew show revisited: week twenty one

I have not generally written songs on traditional rock and roll topics. Booze, girls, late nights, vices...I've always felt those subjects were too well worn in the pantheon. But a few years ago, reeling from a series of major life changes, I sort of inadvertently fell into a deeper version of the dodgy patterns that musicians tend to frequent. While the overall goal was still making music, it's often difficult to separate that process with its usual attendant environment.

Pulling from a Tom Waits vein, which I've only occasionally done on tracks like Crackertoa, I essentially just wrote a blues song with the angst that was flowing through my addled brain. When we went down to Taylor Tatsch's place to record The Lake Worth Monster, I figured we may as well throw this one down, too. Taylor added nice touches like the slide and backing vocals, giving the tune a polish it probably wouldn't have had otherwise.

It's still a fun song to play live, and gives us an excuse to rock out without thinking too hard about it. 

texas ii was released a year ago today. The making of the album was quite the journey, and the release party remains one of my favorite shows. If you haven't heard it yet, or just want to revisit, I heartily encourage you to do so. 

It's time to meet the cast of the Dark Forest radio play. 

The role of Donald Rumsfeld is played by Jeffry Simms. 

Jeffry is an accomplished drummer and percussionist who's provided rhythmic backbone for acts such as Late to the Station, Clay Anderson, Jody Jones and the Lobster Dogs, and for several long decades, the matthew show. He writes songs, destroys opponents in games of strategy, and makes with the pupper treats more or less on demand. He portrayed President Arturo Almerido in the Rewired radio play. 

Production continues apace, still aiming at a late fall release. Huge thanks to all who have contributed their talents. 

It's time to meet the cast of the Dark Forest radio play.

The role of Ronnie is played by Clay Anderson.

When not running sound for DFW's finest at venues around town, Clay Anderson writes songs, plays bass for the matthew show, and constructs finely crafted sets for people you've heard of. He played Mal in the Rewired radio play, and is the proud owner of a well-earned ornery disposition, unless you buy him a Montucky Cold Snack, in which case let the good times roll. 

Production continues apace, with an eye towards a late fall release. 

Huge thanks to all the contributors, new and returning. 

the matthew show revisited: week twenty

Early into my attempt at the self-employment/stay-at-home-dad life, the periodic Acoustic Surprise was a way to get new material out to supporters while working on larger projects, and this was among the fan favorites that ultimately made it onto the Variations covers album.  

(side note: I was doing a subscriber thing that looked a lot like Patreon before there was a Patreon, and got a lot of shit for it at the time, oh how the turn tables...anyway...)

Coming back to Texas from NYC, Rosie Thomas' These Friends of Mine album was a calmative, a reassuring voice from that other world that was still so fresh in my senses. Her arrangement of a song that was already deep in my musical DNA arrested me with its vulnerability, so I did my best to adapt it to my range, bringing in usual suspect Dean Hall and newer recruit Beth Brown for the haunting harmony bits. I think we done good.