addendum to ‘gettin’ my goth on’.
man, there have been some awesome
responses to my ‘goth’ blog…
thank you all!
but, it is clarification time…
i didn’t JUST discover depeche mode
i have been listening to them for 20 years.
i was just stating that i didn’t listen to them
as a kid…i wrote the blog in a moment of
appreciating their greatness. not discovering it.
cause as much as i would like it to be different,
it was definitely more than 20 years ago when
i could safely be considered a kid…
cool…
i just had to defend my music nerd credibility
there for a second.
June 4th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
It’s ok no one doubted your music nerdiness. Well I used to love depeche mode, but they have been around for more than 20 yrs? Well I guess I learned something new, I think when I was that young I hated all music. Well can’t wait to hear u perform on my bday @ Wolf Trap!
June 4th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
It’s been awhile (quite awhile) since I could safely be considered a kid, but once I survived my 20’s and decided all things me were a little more ok, a little more comfortable, I started relating to everything so much better. Music, for instance, is such a forced thing when we’re younger. A status symbol for the angst we think we’re living. I’ve decided to deny myself angst because the 21 year old, adorable gay man at your last concert complemented my girls. I didn’t have to mention that I had nursed two children. I just danced and sang and loved the life I was given.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I do not think your music nerd cred will ever be in danger… unless maybe you develop Alzheimer’s or something.
June 5th, 2009 at 4:57 am
That it can still set your head on fire after 20 years is the badass part. “Let the beauty we love be what we do”.
June 5th, 2009 at 11:51 am
If you can look back on music from 20 years ago and still get inspired…they were doin’ somethin’ right, know what I’m sayin?! I love that they just released a new record. Echo & the Bunnymen…one of the coolest concerts I’ve ever seen. They were literally playing in a forest, on stage. Awesome.
Speaking of awesome-ness, I truly enjoyed your show at Va Beach last weekend! Wish we could do it all over again.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:47 am
You should cover one of their songs in a live show
I loved your The National cover in Austin, that’s one of their best songs.
Here’s two pictures from the Austin show of matt wearing what appears to be some sort of ??hillary duff/ icarly?? t-shirt I know he likes icarly…
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs088.snc1/4627_1129848776596_1538520355_30675144_283912_n.jpg
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v4627/99/28/1538520355/n1538520355_30675145_297702.jpg
June 10th, 2009 at 12:22 am
LOL…maybe if you were listening to Depeche Mode back then (as in my case…) Van Halen and Def Leppard didn’t rock hard enough!!! LOVE ur music…stumbled on u by accident one day…been addicted ever since…may be visiting VA tomorrow and possibly NYC and definitely Buffalo in a few weeks…my lovely hometown that I will be returning to for a short bit…oh and u r killing me with covering James!!!!! A man after my own heart
can’t wait to hear u live. Jules
June 11th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
I have only recently “discovered” you…but I am loving it! I have had the experience you wrote about before of really connecting to your music. It just fits me right now.
But your blog CRACKS ME UP!!! You are very funny and real,which is so refreshing!!!
June 11th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Have been a Depeche Mode fan for years….since middle school…in the early 80s. I am still a huge fan of alternative music, including the newer stuff that is out there today. A commonality I share with my 17 year old daughter. I can very much hear Depeche Mode’s influence in some of today’s bands. They were the first band I ever saw in concert - Black Celebration Tour and I was so thrilled to see that they are touring again, but not so thrilled that tickets SOLD OUT before I had a chance to snag some. They put on a fantastic show.
Love you Matt!!
June 11th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
As a fellow child of the 80’s, I would be remiss not to point out that both Morrissey* and Souixsie* of the Banshee*’s fame are now both in their 50’s. Just to add to the “I’m so freaking old feeling”. I’ve gotten over the nostalgia, and have totally gone emo to try to capture that youthful glow. Man, what an odd combination with the whole emo and Matt Nathanson love going on……
*know I totally f’ed up these spellings, but have too much wine in the bottle to actually look them up.
June 11th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
lol… ya, I think most got it babycakes.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Violator–awesome album. Not that I didn’t enjoy Hysteria and 5150 (sorry, I can’t stomach David Lee Roth). I’m glad that my taste has expanded and improved since then.
BTW, sorry I couldn’t think of any clever questions for your interview–the only thing popping in my head at the time was “what would it take to get you on TRB X?” and I didn’t want to inflict that on you. I guess you could do some of the standard James Lipton: what job would you like to try? what’s your favorite swear?…maybe next blog.
Big love to you my friend,
Adrianne
June 15th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Bought tickets to the show in Kansas City! Wish I knew the line up so I could skip the rest and get right to your show. Any news on what time you go on?????
June 15th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Just thought i would pop in and tell you that I am a former “cool” person, and lover of all sorts of good music..have listened to many different styles of music in my life….am now a mom to 3 teens..and yet still learning of talented people like you - will be in Central Park tomorrow to hear you…your music has been very fitting for this time in my life….lovin it right now! Enjoy tomorrow…from this now nerdy but still COOl at heart mom!
June 16th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Oh Dear Matt,
I swear only you could write about your vast musical history and continually flirt with the mad existance of Miley Cyrus and Gossip Girl. All of which are totally awesome!
June 17th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Hey Matt,
Saw your concert in Central Park with the girls last night. You were incredible. Loved when you came on and sang witht the girls. I was wondering if you’re planning on doing any solo shows in NYC?
-j
June 17th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Inspired.
I have been a fan of yours for a long time and I have always been moved by your song writing ablilities… I stumbled across your blog by accident and I must say that I am fascinated with your writing style. It is entertaining and beautiful. I am elated by such an accident.
June 17th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Dear Matt,
I think you should try to become the next Dr. Who. It could suit you and you’d be a step up from David Tennant (which are big shoes to fill).
Rock on.
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I too listened to Depeche Mode…ah Blasphemous Rumours…great song to listen to loudly with headphones on. I also enjoyed the Smiths, along with Echo and the Cocteau Twins. Saw them in concert and loved them. Did you ever listen to the Smithereens? They were in the same time frame with the Smiths’ Girlfriend in a Coma, they released Green Thoughts. You might like it as well. I also loved Erasure’s The Innocents at that time. I too am a product of the 80’s sub-culture with the likes of Violent Femmes and Jane’s Addiction (the early stuff).
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:34 pm
hey matt! so ur probably not gonna read this but I just saw you on Sun at the concert in San Fran and I took a pic with you! (that was pretty exciting for me considering I thought you totally kicked ass in the concert) and i got ur CD and I was looking at the lyrics of “Sooner Surrender” and on the piece of tape on that page I saw “Love is all that matters”. did u mean to hide that? or is there like a hidden meaning? i don’t know, i just thought it was cool : )
ya, this probably won’t get answered. lol
June 25th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Matt, ya ever notice you can’t sing any “Mode” song unless you bury your chin into your chest and angle your eyebrows sharply while dropping your diaphragm below your shoes to even get close to that uber original Goth vocal tone they mastered?
I’m in love in a super severe way with someone I can’t get to. She introduced me to your music. Now, I’m a fan. Your motifs, melodies and lyrics are a familiar friend now that often comforts when I miss her the most. The songs also sometimes stab me in the chest with jagged longing because they remind me of her and the short times we’ve been together. “…I ache to remember…”
Here’s an ode to her:
There is beauty in the pain,
There is light in the dark,
There’s still a little peace,
In this half broken heart.
-Brad Ward
I love you Kathy
June 27th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Heard “All We Are” on a TV show . . . Grey’s Anatomy, maybe? I don’t recall, but I do recall that your voice and lyrics had me searching for that song. I found it and cuddled it close, like a new favorite, only it actually makes me feel like opening . . . opening wide and embracing everything. LOVE it. A friend sent me a youtube of you singing the same song, acoustic, and I stumbled for your sense of humor. *laughs* Now, I’ve collected a few more of your songs and have yet to hear one I don’t like. And I’m truly picky about lyrical content. Ya got talent, man! So, yeah . . . cued the tunes, found your blog in a search for tour dates . . . basically having a lil’ Matt-fest here! Hopefully, I’ll catch you in Denver or CC, TX in the next month or few.
Light and laughter . . .
July 6th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
HI MATT! I <3 U!
Your music = perfection.
Take care buddy. : ]
July 12th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
How does it feel to have your own Wikipedia page? How does it feel to know that someone looked up your Wikipedia page?
You rocked at the Block Party in MSP last night. It was the second time I’ve seen you in MSP. I actually got to meet you the first time, so although it was a great show last night, it was a dissapointment compared to the actual meet and greet moment with you before the last show I saw. Great show! Journey Rocks!
July 15th, 2009 at 2:05 am
love your music man
you should come to missouri and play
would be great to see you in concert
take care..
July 15th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
so thinking back to 1989 in my car while listening to depeche mode 101…i think i blew some… that looked…a lot…like matt. ha yum
August 27th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Nerd Cred is just as desperately soul affirming as the Street kind.
Thanks for your music from the rest of us nerds.
March 16th, 2010 at 9:17 am
I went here browsing Goth! This post probably has a strange consideration on google even if it wasn’t actually the suff I was looking about