Once again the folks down in Atlanta pooled their resources and massive amounts of raw fish to bring me down for another show. With an even bigger crowd than last time, the poor living room must’ve felt as bloated as we were after all those sushi rolls. No matter, the show must go on!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Matthew Ebel Live at the Lucey House 2010 – 63.6 MB MP3
Download Now »

(Also available as individual tracks.) – 63.8 MB ZIP
Download Now »

Once again Matthew is experimenting. This time he threw himself head-first at his Vocoder. If you’re not familiar with the Vocoder, it takes an audio signal (like Matthew’s voice) and combines it with a synth signal controlled by the keyboard. The net effect is a roboticized-sounding voice.

Matthew just hopes the humanity of the singer wasn’t lost in the process of making this one:

This song started as just a little play-time with my Vocoder, but some good subject matter hit me almost immediately for the lyrics. I am tired of the hysteria I hear and see in the news, everything from diseases to an economic meltdown. It’s springtime in the USA, the worst is behind us, and we’ve got nothing but hope ahead of us. If you look with the right eyes, you are really living the good life.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Good Life – 6MB MP3
Download Now »

Read More…

Another song about the plight of the filthy rich, this time with a bit more venom in it. Matthew sings about bailing out those who don’t really deserve it, especially at the expense of those who were smart enough to stay out of the mess in the first place.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Not Our Bed – 4.2MB MP3
Download Now »

Read More…

If you recently read this post on Matthew’s blog, this is the song he was talking about. Here’s Matthew’s story behind “You’re All I Need”:

I got many suggestions from people that I should do another Christmas song, but one suggestion was that I write a blues number for all the people who are feeling the economic weight on their shoulders this year. Believe me, I can sympathize- I’m already broke most of the time, and the pressure to buy a bunch of stuff for everyone because it’s Christmas never, ever feels good. You either have to tell everyone you’re broke or everyone assumes you’re a cheap bastard.

While writing lyrics I imagined what it must be like for a single parent right now, having to explain to his little daughter that they can barely afford to keep the house they live in. Presents and toys will have to happen next year, hopefully.

When I got to the last verse of the song, I actually started crying. I honestly don’t know if I could say that kind of thing to my children, if I had any. I would just be glad that I had my family, that would be present enough for me. That would be all I’d need.

For me, this is just a song. What broke me down is that, for many people this year, it’s reality.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

You’re All I Need – 5.4MB MP3
Download Now »

Read More…

A lighthearted tune inspired by recent economic events.

Matthew Ebel:
When I saw the Dow fall about 22 million points in one day, I had this image of bankers tossing themselves from their windows in New York. I imagined a song where a young man like me takes a stroll through the park, marveling at the beautiful leaves or raindrops that drift gracefully to the ground. Only instead of raindrops, it’s guys and girls with briefcases. I wonder what kind of umbrella you’d need for that kind of fallout…

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

It’s Raining Bankers – 4.5MB MP3
Download Now »

Read More…