dave.
i’ve done it tons of times before…
catch a cab from my friend’s apartment on the upper west side.
i’ve been staying with him for 10+ years.
it’s my home base in NYC…
but never, ever, ever, in my life of getting taxi’s have i EVER dreamed
that i would say to the driver.. ’i need to go to the david letterman building.’
crazy!
by the time i post this, i’ll have already played.
hopefully we won’t suck.
hopefully we’ll look cool.
it airs friday.
he films two shows on monday, so he has a 4 day week.
the guest tonight is martha stewart…
but the guest could be the kid that kicked the shit out of me
on the playground in grade school, i could care less….
I AM PLAYING DAVID LETTERMAN!
we rehearsed and did camera blocking already.
the studio is just as cold as i have always heard.
and the building is tiny. and cramped.
but i would play on top of a glacier, in my underpants,
wedged into a happy meal box for dave.
letterman is my jam!
growing up, i was too young for carson…
conan wasn’t around yet.
so dave was everything. he had soul.
and, to me, he only gets more soulful.
like a blues singer.
a year ago, we left tour in athens’ georgia to play conan.
my head was SPINNING.
now i’m on letterman.
i feel calmer now, but even further out of my head… if that makes any sense.
im gonna shake his hand. and smile. and try not to puke.
this record is inexhaustible.
it keeps giving me things i can cross off my dream list.
i am beyond tired and burned out lately.
promo has been constant and kicking my ass.
but right now, none of that matters…
cause i am in new york city and
I AM PLAYING DAVID LETTERMAN!
February 11th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Matt, I’m sure you are exhausted beyond belief but keep your rad head up kid. You are doing things that even your biggest and longest fans can happily cross off their list of things they have always wished for you. All I have to say is: finally.
~
February 11th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Awesome!! Sia Furler, Esperanza Spalding and now you. This is way cool.
Still lovin’ the cover art/photo on “Some Mad Hope”. Eat your heart out, Jack Johnson!
It’s about time…
February 11th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Matt,
You 100% deserve this. If I got to meet you in person, I would cry hysterically. If I got a hug from you, I can assure you that I would FREAK OUT. You’re like…supersta’ now. Get used to it (: But I’m soooo excited to see you on letterman and can’t wait to see you in MN!
XOXOXOXOOXOXOX
-Sammy
February 12th, 2009 at 2:18 am
Oh Matt! I can’t believe you’re going to be on Letterman! I was sitting here bummin’ that you aren’t coming around my area and then BAM! You’re going to be on my TV SET! That’ll have to do.(I’m totally od’g on your YT site and fan vids.)
I just discovered you last year and I’m completely in love with your lyrics. I’m a writer and you are my muse for Tessa and Jon–my characters. The soundtrack I listen to when I’m writing is just covered in your songs.
I know you have to be tired–every time I turn around I hear something about you lately and I’m so very glad. Come on Get Higer was my re-introduction to you–now I can’t get enough.
Happy Vday! You just made mine a little better just by being on Letterman! F’n LETTERMAN! WOOT! WAY TO GO!
February 12th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Matt! I am so sooo PROUD of you!! I can’t wait to see on on Letterman tomorrow night. It is so great to see that you are getting the appreciation that you deserve!! Finally!!
love it. LOVE YOU. See you in philly on APRIL 29TH! can’t wait!! <3
February 13th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Letterman has my eternal gratitude for repeatedly having Warren Zevon on the program- most particularly for giving him the entire show for his final public performance before he died. It is great to see my favorite living singer/songwriter join my favorite no-longer-living singer/songwriter on Letterman’s guest list. May your appearances on Letterman outnumber Zevon’s (and there were many)!
February 13th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Just a “slight” contrast to your previous journal post which I agree with by the way…he he he. Congrats! What’s next? Playing for Obama?
February 13th, 2009 at 8:13 am
DVR, cheak!
I’ll watch it when i get home tonight!
4.23.09 - Boston
with Jacks manniquin
-that just made my day!
see you then
February 13th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Matt, I’m totally proud, happy and PISSED OFF about that!! The two first things are absolutelly obvious. But the third is easily explained by the fact that I’m Brazilian and won’t be able to see you playing on Letterman’s show tonight!!!
I love SO MUCH everything you do, have all yor records and most of your concert videos downloaded!!I believe that I’ve even memorized some of your jokes! Just can’t believe I’ll have to wait al least one fucking week till this program is aired here!
Really, you’re the best singer songwriter in my modest opinion!! I’m planning to visit the US this year and my main reason for that will be going to as many concerts of yours as I can!!!
Wish you all success and happiness in the world, ’cause you surely deserve all that! I’m freaking out here just to imagine that you’ll read this message!! I wonder how it’ll be the day I see you playing live!!
LOVE U! LOVE U! LOVE U! LOVE U!
February 13th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Love the shout out to Athens… you know you love playing the 40 watt!
February 14th, 2009 at 12:18 am
I watched you tonight on Letterman!!!! I’m so happy that you’re finally getting the recognition that you deserve! I’ve been a fan of yours for nearly 4 years now and it’s great to see good things happening to you!
I was pretty bummed that your show in St. Paul, MN was cancelled cuz you know I already had my presale tickets purchased 
I’ve only seen you live once so I’m looking forward to the next time!!!
February 14th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Just saw you on Letterman and you were awesome! It has been so much fun being along for the ride as you get to do these amazing things. I walked by the Letterman building earlier this week and it was so cool to think you were in there performing.
I hope you figure out the tour schedule, cause I can’t wait to catch a live show again.
Congratulations!
February 14th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Congratulations!
February 14th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Awesome for you! Being on Letterman! How amazing for you Matt. You’re a very gifted artist, and I have to say you are hilarious. A friend of mine from the US introduced me to you last year, and since then well I can’t get enough. I’m popping over next year so I hope I’ll catch you in a show somewhere.
You’re an amazing songwriter and I wish you all the very best. F’awesome.
Tresca
(all the way from New Zealand)
x
February 14th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Matthew Nathanson.. i have a problem with this. Lemme start by saying that I love your music and your journals, and in general, you… but amongst all this talk of late night shows and the amazing opportunities, you didn’t mention getting to appear on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson sometime last month… if you don’t remember, joel mchale was the guest. ring a bell? i feel like you cant talk about amazing experiences without mentioning Craig Ferguson. i mean, c’mon! but congratulations for everything. keep being amazing!! love you, Lora
February 14th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
how estatic was I to see my favorite singer/songwriter and his band on Letterman last night. You rocked it, Matt. I’ve seen you 9 times in the past 4 years, and will be making it 10 in March in Niagara Falls, NY. you’re amazing, and I hope you know who your real fans are out there.. they’re the ones at your shows who sing along to more than just “Come on get higher”! ((sorry, I had to.. those people drive me nuts!)) Anyhoo, keep it up, i love you and the guys and can’t wait to see you all again in a few weeks!
February 14th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
hi sweetie,
you were in a word…breathtaking…
last night on dave. dave is my hero too.
he rocks my socks off and so do you.
must say that i am a little disappointed in not being able to see you sooner rather than later on tour.
please come back to us soon.
much love and much rest to you darlin,
xoxo
jen
February 14th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
oh btw…
are you in the band?? (keyboards)
funny and sad at the same time.
be recognized for your great playing is always a plus.
xoxo
jen
February 16th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Hey Matt,
You were awesome on Letterman. Congrats on your much-deserved success. Speaking of which, how do you feel about your gal Ingrid Michaelson’s rise to stardom? FYI, “Loud” is still my favorite song of all time. I’m not in the music biz by any stretch of the imagination, but how sick would it be if “Loud” was re-released right now, parlaying off the success that each of you are having? Think about it, talk to some people. Good luck.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Hey Matt.
What a nice surprise. I’ve got to get back on your mailing list. I just got home on Friday the 13th and turned on my TV and there you were. Was so great to see you. I’m a big fan of yours. We need to catch up.
Jim
February 19th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Matt, let me start by saying there is so much “crap” new music out there. No soul, no imagination, no FEELING. You deliver the kind of passion in music people could take lessons on! It’s great to see you and your band getting the kind of big recognition you guys deserve. Kudos to you my man. Can’t wait to find out about your upcoming tour, and it might be awhile off yet, but I always look forward to your creative mind putting out a new record! Can’t wait whenever that might be…. Keep being “you” because people really dig it. Out…
February 24th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Saw the Letterman gig; amazing. Long journey man - congrats.
-b
February 24th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Mateo Nathanson,
yes i said your name in spanish?
why?
i really don’t know i think it has to do with a lack of sleep, putting many blank thoughts to blank paper, staring at my guitar for a good thirty minutes wondering why i can’t find the slightest spark of inspiration anywhere, and large quantaties of starbucks.
things like that can really start to get to a person.
BUT
i read youre most recent blogs from next,barney to dave.
As i read your blog about dave and how excited you were this quote gave me complete deja vu
“im gonna shake his hand. and smile. and try not to puke”
that’s how i felt when i met you last summer when you were touring with lifehouse.
I truly doubt you remember me.
that’s perfectly fine i don’t remember what i ate for breakfast or what i was saying five minutes ago.
it happens.
I had heard your music before the concert once or twice but didn’t really know who you were.
then you came on stage, and to be completely honest after i was like umm who’s lifehouse again?
you were a bamf.
i met you after you’re set i was the youngest person there because it was at a bar, my dad got me in etc..
i digress.
I bought you’re cd, and said omg in the most girly way and you mocked me. it was funny.
you signed my cd and made small talk as the middle aged half drunken women stared at me with envy i was just kind of like wow this awkward.
and then my nerve kicked in.
I told you i played guitar and wrote music, you said that was pretty damn cool then asked my name.
this is where i could feel my lunch turning in my stomach “trying not to puke”.
I asked you to read a song i wrote.
You read it as i tried to keep my subway sandwhich in my stomach where it should be.
You leaned back in your seat and asked me if i was bullshitting you.
I was trippin out on the inside and i managed to say no.
You said i was a freakin poet, wrote it on my cd, and told me to keep it up.
so here i am today thanking you for that.
you could have been b.s.ing me back and even if you were i still thank you for it.
you inspired me and you’re a great talented writer,
who has influenced me since then.
so congrats on making it on lettermen.
I hope to be able to say the same someday.
-Olivia
February 27th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
hey matt. congrats! that is amazing. i don’t know if you remember me but i met you in boise and you promised me another NY show… any ideas when that might happen? once again it is amazing that you were on letterman. You deserve all of the fame and success thats coming your way =]
Brooke <3
March 5th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I can’t wait until you sing and get interviewed on Letterman!!
May 11th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Matt…
I’m writing from a far away place without a TV. So of course I’m pissed to, in May, read that you were on Dave in February! The love of Dave has been passed down in my family for GENERATION. But this girl is original in being a big fat fan-a yours. Not for long though, the Matt Nathanson-ness will be spread in my household, and to all those nearby! And far-by! I’m quite intimidated by your writing. I’m burnt out of teaching (after a year and a half) and want to jump in to creative writing, but how can I compete with all the Matts in the world? Your music chills me when I’m stressed, so thanks. I’m excited to be connected to your blog now! Keep up the posts, you’re hilarious! It sounds like you’re all bogged down with writer’s block. Have you tried using your humor to kick the shit outta that wall that’s blockin your muse? Take luck, Matt.
Go ride your tiny bike.
Meg
November 29th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Yeah, i will keep visiting this blog very often. happens all the time
January 31st, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Great post! Lovely!