Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Roach.
Hi Matt, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started out performing sketch comedy. I had a sketch comedy group in Philadelphia between 1987 and 1996. While writing the sketches, I started to write comedy songs. I would incorporate them in the sketches. Once I ended the sketch group, I decided to put more effort into writing “real” songs without the comedy.
So, over time I kept writing and now I have over 500 songs. I’ve released 10 albums and I’ve had a chance to tour consistently. My live shows are the most fun because I get to mix some comedy songs with normal songs. That way the audience doesn’t know what to expect.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think being a touring musician is very smooth for most acts. It looks really good from the audience’s perspective looking up at the stage. But, it’s not as glamorous as it seems. It’s a lot tougher because I only play original songs. I never play any cover songs because I always figured I’m not going to do it as well as the original artist anyway. That’s the way I wanted to stand out from the rest of the acts that are playing. The negative part of that is that it lacks familiarity with the audience.
So, it’s hard to keep their interest sometimes if they’re not familiar with the songs. But, I’ve kept to my rule of no cover songs, for the most part, and I’m happy with that decision. Other struggles are just the idea of life on the road. Driving from place to place and staying in different towns where you don’t know anyone. Then, you have to stand on the stage and perform your songs in a place you’ve never been.
Then tomorrow go do it all again. When the shows are good and audiences are responsive, it’s the best feeling in the world. But, it can be extremely lonely when shows don’t go well
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, PA. I describe my music as “An Alternative to Rock and Pop with some Country-Comedy threw in for the Folk of it”. I’ve released 10 albums so far.
My first album is called “What Could Have Been…” It was released in 2005. Followed by “Borrowed Time” in 2007, “Hitchhiking on the Train Tracks” in 2008, “Coney Island Lights” in 2010, “Burning Bridges on Memory Lane” in 2012, “Naughty & Nice (The All Original Christmas Album” in 2013, “The Ghosts of Aldine St”. in 2015, “The Last Great Day” in 2018 and “Ferris Wheel” in 2020.
My latest album is called “Born on a Saturday Night” It was released on February 19, 2022. That was my 50th birthday. I wanted to do something special to commemorate it. Getting a chance to release my 10th album, on my 50th birthday, was pretty special.
So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
The most important thing in my life would be my wife, Jolanta, and the rest of my family. My sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and nieces. My wife and I have been together since 1997. Apart from being a great wife, she has traveled with me to all my shows. Up and down the East Coast.
No matter how many times she’s heard me sing these songs, she still listens. Sometimes she may be the only one listening! It’s extremely important to have someone you can count on in life. She is the one that I can consistently count on no matter what.
Pricing:
- All CDs of $12.00 ordered from my website
- All T-shirts $15.00 ordered from my website
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mattroachmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roachmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.roach.90/
- Twitter: @roachmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jppi87
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/matt-roach/78593528
Image Credits
Jolanta Roach
