Who We Are

MATT’S BIO                  AARON’S BIO

We figured it might be a good idea to tell you a little about who we are, where we come from, and how music has helped shape our lives.

MATT’S MUSIC BIO

Matt grew up in the relatively small town of Fort Atkinson, WI.  As a child, he spent many nights at the Cafe Carpe, playing with the owners’ son while his parents had dinner.  It wasn’t until years later that he’d realize how lucky he was to have been exposed to such a renowned music venue at such at early age.  During his junior and senior years of high school, Matt once again began spending many nights at the Carpe, using his friendship with owner/musician/chef Bill Camplin to see shows that he was technically too young to attend (since the cafe was also a bar).  Sitting mere feet from the likes of Jeffrey Foucault, Peter Mulvey, Kris Delmhorst, and even Bill himself gave Matt a great appreciation for songwriting and performing (the listening room is barely bigger than an average living room, so the setting is very intimate) at a very influential point in his life.

This introduction to the folk music world occurred simultaneously with another important musical moment.  During his junior year of high school, Matt had English class with teacher Jeff Kunkle.  Besides helping him better understand the person he wanted to be, Jeff provided Matt with possibly his most important musical discovery: Bob Dylan.  From that point on, Matt sought out all kinds of music, attending literally hundreds of concerts, buying CDs, and befriending musicians.  He’s found his friends tend to be kindred spirits in this regard, with a thirst to find that next great band or rediscover that hidden gem from long ago.

Most Embarrassing Album You Willingly Bought: Kid Rock, “American Bad Ass”

First Concert: Bob Dylan, Eagles Ballroom 2004

Guilty Pleasure: Rihanna

Top 5 Bands/Artists, March 2012: Beatles, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, The Band, Arcade Fire

Top 5 Albums, March 2012: Blonde On Blonde (Bob Dylan), Rubber Soul (Beatles), Music From Big Pink (The Band), Meddle (Pink Floyd), Up From Below (Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Earliest Musical Memory: “playing” along on a little plastic guitar to Marty McFly doing “Johnny B. Goode” in Back To The Future

Song You Never Tire Of: “Visions of Johanna” by Bob Dylan

First Album You Bought: Dangerous Minds soundtrack

Top 5 Concerts: Paul McCartney (Fenway Park, Boston MA), Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (High Noon Saloon, Madison WI), Roger Waters: The Wall (United Center, Chicago IL), Dave Matthews Band (Alpine Valley 2006, East Troy WI), Radiohead (Lollapalooza, Chicago IL)

Favorite Musical Possessions: Robert Randolph guitar pick, Paul McCartney ticket stubs, Ray Davies setlist, autographed Redbird poster

AARON’S MUSIC BIO

Aaron spent his youth in the greatest sports city in the world, Green Bay, WI. He spent many of his younger days listening to oldies classics with his grandparents in the back of their 1955 Chevy, cruising the city. Though at the time this didn’t really stand out in his life, the times spent listening to the classics really gave Aaron a strong respect for music. Of course, just like anyone else, there was a phase of his life where he listened to anything that was popular. Limp Bizkit is a band that comes to mind (oh the agony!). It was around the time Aaron was 15 that he went to the store to buy Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”. This was completely on a whim, since he only really knew the song “Have a Cigar” (which isn’t even on the album). After this moment, Aaron was hooked on the music from the 60’s and 70’s. He’s been working to broaden his range ever since, but always goes back to the classic albums.

Most Embarrassing Album You Willingly Bought: Cypress Hill, “Skull and Bones”

First Concert: Deftones, Eagles Ballroom 2003

Guilty Pleasure: Deftones

Top 5 Bands/Artists, March 2012: Beatles, Beach Boys, The Kinks, Pink Floyd, Rush

Top 5 Albums, March 2012: Rubber Soul (Beatles), Pet Sounds (Beach Boys), Hemispheres (Rush), Ram (Paul and Linda McCartney), Electric Warrior (T. Rex)

Earliest Musical Memory: Getting Elvis’ Greatest Hits for my 6th birthday. I remember listening to that album on repeat.

Song You Never Tire Of: “The Sheriff,” by Emerson, Lake and Palmer

First Album You Bought: I think it was a Robbie Williams Album.

Top 5 Concerts: Paul McCartney (Fenway Park, Boston MA),  Paul McCartney (Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL), Roger Waters: The Wall (United Center, Chicago IL), Rush (Summerfest, Milwaukee WI), Ray Davies (Barrymore, Madison WI)