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Iain Matthews performs Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, at The Record Collector in Bordentown.
His fascination with American songwriting drove his European success.
Iain Matthews started off close to his roots, founding the British folk rock group Fairport Convention back in ’67. Two years later, he started a new endeavor with Matthews Southern Comfort and gained international fame with the Joni Mitchell hit, “Woodstock.”
Yet the itch still twitched – he wanted more.
A few years after his European success had dwindled, Matthews turned to the United States and found it to be home, and Friday night, he makes The Record Collector his living room.
Now an American resident, Matthews has recorded 15 solo albums as well as a handful of others with Plainsong as well as David Surkamp, former founder of Pavlov’s Dog.
Friday's performance may include some of his older work but most likely attendees will get bits of his repertoire built over the last decade (most recently “Joy Mining” and “In the Now”).
Check him out online ahead of time at iainmatthews.nl. You can view videos, listen to audio and hear personal interviews.
While there, be sure to sample songs such as “Me” and “Them.” You can also go back to his first hit “Shake it” to see how he’s developed over time.
Opening for the show is long-time Record Collector friend and performer Joe Orlando of The Cryers.
IAIN MATTHEWS
WHEN: 8 p.m Friday; doors open at 7.
WHERE: The Record Collector, 358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown
ADMISSION: $25 in advance, $20 at the door. (609) 324-0880 or the-record-collector.com.
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING
It’s folk with funk.
Mustered Courage has that classic acoustic backbone and country riff with a twist of modern rock. The songs are catchy, the harmonies are smooth, and the lyrics run deep.
Based out of Australia, Mustered Courage are bringing their roots-infused bluegrass to Triumph Brewing Co. in New Hope, Pa., Saturday night.
This is the kind of group you don’t want to miss if the genre fits your style; it’s likely that within a few more years they will blow up on the mainstream music scene – seeing them at such a small venue for such a good price could very well be a thing of the past.
Their latest album, Powerlines, received two Golden Guitar nominations at this year’s Country Music Awards of Australia. They also received the Instrumental of the Year award for their track “Allegheny.”
They’ve got some characteristics of more-acclaimed bands such as Mumford and Sons, but yet their repertoire isn’t repetitive – there is a similar style, sure, but each song is uniquely branded.
You can check them out online at musteredcourage.com.
While there, sample songs such as "Standing by Your Side" and "Powerlines."
While they’ve gained much of their success in their home country, they’ve recently been noted in the United States as well.
They’ve been invited to perform showcases at the International Bluegrass Music Association Conference and are on tour throughout the country.
Members include Nick Keeling, Julian Abrahams, Paddy Montgomery and Josh Bridges.
Triumph is located at 400 Union Square Plaza. The show starts at 10, and parking meters run until 9. You must be 21 to enter and admission is $5.
For more information, log onto triumphbrewing.com or call (215) 862-8300.
ALSO FEATURED
His music is soft and gentle, much like his disposition.
Devotional singer-songwriter SiriOm Singh combines various literary genres including song and poetry to create a performance of its own kind. Inspired by traditions around the globe, from gospel and reggae to folk and blues, he offers the listener something new – something meaningful.
Tomorrow night, he performs at Small World Coffee in Princeton.
His songs aim to inspire love and celebrate life and the human spirit, all the while making you want to dance .
The show starts at 8:30, is free, and open to all ages.
Small World Coffee is located at 14 Witherspoon St. For more information, log onto smallworldcoffee.com.
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