November 17th, 2013 - 5am - Shot on iPhone 4s - Time to go

November 18th, 2013

November 18, 2017 by Matt Bates

On this day four years ago, Jamie and I left everything we knew about the comforts of home, living with parents, and hit the road for Los Angeles. We drove through the early morning, hit one of the worst storms we had ever seen that pushed our SUV and trailer off the road, and finally ended up in Nashville, TN. This was the first stop on our first cross-country trip together. The next few days tested our relationship, forced us to think as a team and left us with memories we will never forget.

If you would have told me on that morning that we would both advance our careers, move to Nashville, get engaged, buy a home, and then move back to Los Angeles before 2018; I honestly don't know what I would have said. Maybe I would have said "Hell yeah!" Who knows.

Nashville now holds an extraordinary place in our hearts. This is where we bought our first house that we turned into a home. During that first stay in 2013, we hit a storm that delayed our drive for hours and we were in terrible spirits when we finally got to the city. The second we got out of the SUV, our moods changed. We heard the music, saw the lights of downtown and wanted to be apart of it. We had a blast "honky-tonkin" and hitting all the bars up and down Broadway.

Here is to reflecting, learning, and loving.

-YourFriendMatt

Our home for the next week - November 17th, 2013

Had to take off the trailer so we could park - Not fun

The Don Kelley Band @ Robert's - Best band in Nashville - Had no idea this would become our local bar 3 years later when we moved in a few blocks away.

Moving...again...

October 08, 2017 by Matt Bates

So we are hitting the road again, back to California. In the last four years, we have made three major moves across the country. It is starting to become standard. We are just used to keeping it simple and downsizing. This time around as we are packing it is becoming easier to get rid of unnecessary items, clothes, kitchen supplies, etc. The staff at Buffalo Exchange here in Nashville is probably getting tired of me hauling boxes and boxes of old band t-shirts.

Moving is always bittersweet. We look forward to getting back to Santa Monica, the beach, fish tacos, our friends there and riding our bikes to work, but leaving is always hard. We are fortunate and always find AMAZING people wherever we go, and leaving people is hard. We know we will see them all again, but it does suck. We have had a blast finding new restaurants with our friends here, having BBQ pizza cook-offs with our neighbors (who we love dearly), and sharing so many porch beers.

Nashville is where I bought my first home and took some significant steps in my adult life. This is where I decided to make Jamie my (future) wife and where we pushed our careers. Nashville continued to push Jamie and me to work together as a team. When we first got here, we did not know a soul and that kind of pressure can make or break a relationship, but we only got stronger. We will miss everyone here. Thank you to anyone who was kind to us, shared their lives with us and treated us like family. We love you.

-YourFriendMatt

Dr. Dolittle Part Three: We have cats...

July 09, 2017 by Matt Bates

"Come here you little shit!" - Jamie

It's starting to get weird. Over the last few weeks, animals have found their way to me for help. Recently I have helped a defenseless turtle trying to cross an interstate. I saved a grumpy little bird from being pulverized by a lawn-mowing maniac, and now we have a litter of kittens.

A few Saturday nights ago Jamie and I were unwinding over some hand-crafted cocktails with friends. The best parties happen in the kitchen, so we all gathered around our kitchen island in clear view of our glass front door. While one of our friends were telling us about their week at work, we noticed a white, fluffy face appearing from our front porch shadows and put it's paw on our front door as if to ask if it could come in and hang out. Jamie shrieked with excitement and completely stopped any and all conversation, bolting to the front door to become this kittens mother (and rub this fluff ball on her face).

The obviously terrified kitten ran from the front door into the shadows under our porch. From there on our night was consumed with finding and coddling this kitten (regardless if I wanted to or not). "Hold the flashlight better! I need to get this baby! Oh man, he's so cute! Come here you little shit!" or some string or order of these sentences were exclaimed over and over again until we finally got the damn thing.

Be careful what you wish for. We now have a litter of kittens patrolling our backyard. What's even funnier is our dogs could give a shit. As long as those two bums are fed, they don't care who comes and goes.

Does anyone want a cat?

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack...

June 16, 2017 by Matt Bates

This week's list is perfect for some time in the backyard. We have a new favorite of mine, Locals Only. We also have a new track, from the newest addition to SideOneDummy, Worriers. It is very reminiscent of 90's alternative-rock. We were also able to squeeze in some PA love this week with Captain, We're Sinking and Here/Now! Solid list to sink into the weekend.

Music saves.

Listen, share & enjoy!

-YourFriendMatt

Dr. Dolittle...Part One: Turtle Power...

May 28, 2017 by Matt Bates

"Get the fuck out of the road you jerk off!" - Someone.

Something weird happened over the last few weeks. For whatever reason, I happened to be in the right place at the right time when someone (or something) needed help.

I do not consider myself an activist at all. I do not go out of my way to find animals to save; I am not a vegetarian (I did a short stint of that a few years ago, but bacon is just too damn good), I do not volunteer anywhere (even though I probably should). I am just a dude who felt compelled to take action when it seems like nobody else would.

I was on a recent stay-cation and made it my mission to do as little as possible. Which, if you know anything about me is something I am not great at. Ask Jamie; she hates that I can not just sit on the couch and relax. On this particular day, I had gotten up, finished cleaning the whole house including laundry, dusting, Swiffering, and reorganizing things for no reason except sheer boredom. What did I decide to do? Go to Target. That's what new homeowners do when they are bored right? Just wonder around Target smelling candles, staring at how many different types of trash cans there are, and buying the most useless shit you can find, right?

I was driving down the road in my obnoxiously large Ford Expedition when I noticed something stranded in the middle of my lane. I thought nothing of it, but as I got closer, it seemed to be moving on its own, and right before I almost ran it over I noticed it was a small box turtle trying to cross a four-lane highway out front of Target. I have no idea how it survived getting that far. He was already almost half across. I swerved so I would not run him over and pulled over. I thought for a moment what I could do since cars were doing 60mph past me on the side of the road and narrowly missing my stranded green little buddy. What did I do? The only logical thing. I used my obnoxiously large Ford Expedition to block traffic, pulling out sideways onto the highway, threw my flashers on and jumped out to save this little turtle. My mother and Jamie would be horrified.

I picked the little guy up (he was petrified at this point, all limbs tucked away in his shell), jumped a guard rail and set him down safely on the other side of the road...all while everyone yelled every obscenity they could muster.

Why did the turtle cross the road? I have no friggin' idea, but I am glad I was there to help him out.

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack...

April 14, 2017 by Matt Bates

I don't think this weeks playlist can get any more pop-punk. We have some catchy new jams for you; including the kings of pop-punk, New Found Glory, the Brooklyn-based stylings of The Traditional (very reminiscent of The Wonder Years), along with new Direct Hit! Plus a bonus 30-second track...

Music save. Listen, share and enjoy!

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack

March 31, 2017 by Matt Bates

I found some new songs from some new artist this week, and I am pumped about it! Take a listen to the pop-rock stylings of the UK's Shanghai Blues and the poppy single from Sundressed. There is also a new track from Relient K, who never disappoint. A melodic track from my hometime friends in Philadelphia, Cold Climb It. And if that's not enough we have new music from Pet Symmetry...finally!

Listen, share, enjoy!

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack...

March 17, 2017 by Matt Bates

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here is this the newest installment of the 6-Pack! New Found Glory will always have a special place in my heart and their new track does not disappoint! This week also includes catchy gems from The Bouncing Souls, Homebound and Can't Swim!

Music saves.

Listen, enjoy and share!

-YourFriendMatt

Three Decades...

March 05, 2017 by Matt Bates

I turned 30.

30, from what I am told, is a huge milestone in life. I haven't felt any different. I haven’t felt older than 17 since, well, I was 17. I have always been one of the youngest in my friend circle, but now the youngest is 30. Which is crazy to think about, especially when I look through our group texts it only consists of dick and fart jokes. How could we all be 30? Or at least 30? Homeowners? Business owners? Contributing members to society when we all still dick around so much? Like, way too much, and always take the joke way to far.

By the time my parents were 30, I could speak to them in full sentences and was doing homework. I, on the other hand, have moved across the country twice, lived in 3 states, and still have no idea what I want to do when I grow up. And, I don't mind that. I like adventuring. I like who I am, what I get to do daily and where I am with life.

It feels good. I like being 30 so far. There has been a bit of an awakening. I feel motivated to make some changes. I don’t know what those changes are yet, but I have a feeling I will know soon. I feel even more open to new experiences and ideas. I have always had a sense of confidence that has helped me get where or what I wanted out of life. 30 is going to be pretty rad.

Here’s to you 30! And all the up, downs, and b-sides that lay ahead.

***Question - Is it lay ahead or lie ahead?***

-YourFriendMatt

2017...

January 01, 2017 by Matt Bates

12:01 am January 1, 2017:
“I am going to bed.” - Jamie. We are such homebodies.

As 2016 comes to a close and we look forward to what 2017 could be, I find myself reflecting on the past 12 months. Since last New Years Day, a lot of positive things have happened in my life. Living in an era where everyone is continuously scrolling through the negative situations that are happening throughout the world, I wanted to share some positives. So instead of listing why 2016 was such a shit year (which it may have been) I am looking through my 2016 pictures folder and finding nothing but smiles.

First, we kicked off 2016 in Disneyland. I mean, how does it get any better than that? Then the next morning for New Years Day we went back to Disneyland. And right after that, we bought an old VW bus. Pretty freakin' awesome way to kick off 2016. In fact, I spent most of the beginning of 2016 in either Disneyland or our VW bus. Later that month my family came to visit us for the first time altogether to celebrate my birthday. What did we do? Go to Disneyland.

7:00 pm January 1, 2016. Santa Monica, CA.

Disneyland had become a second home to Jamie and I. When we moved from Philadelphia to California we did not know anyone, so we just went there. 2016 ends our run as Disneyland pass holders, but for a great reason, I got promoted in 2016, and we moved to Nashville. It was hard to say goodbye to all the friends we have made and the life we had built from literally nothing. We feel truly blessed to close out 2016 reflecting on all the great times we had in California.

11:30 am January 31, 2016. Disneyland, CA.

Since we had to downsize, sell off our stuff and move another 3,000 miles back to the other side of the country did we fly? Hell no. We drove across and made an adventure out of it! We stopped at the Grand Canyon, stayed in a forgotten mountain town in Colorado, got lost in Utah, got rained out in Chicago, and learned a lot about roadside car maintenance. Driving across the country is something I am lucky to say I have had the chance to do a few times and I suggest everyone do it at least once. You never know what you will find. I mean, we were driving down the street, and we found Wyatt Earp’s house.

Wyatt Earp House. Pella, IA. 2016. — Wyatt Earp House. Pella, IA. 2016.

We moved into the world's worst short-term apartment complex in Nashville, but that was incredible because it motivated us to become homeowners. Becoming a homeowner in one of the fast growing cities in America was one of the most stressful and rewarding processes of my life. Since we now own a home, we had to fill it with furniture and of course my music equipment. I now get to play music whenever I want and have been lucky enough to play with so many great musicians in some of the coolest venues over the last year. Being in Nashville also allows us to get back to family in the Philadelphia more easily. We were able to get home to Philadelphia 5 times in the last few months since moving. Which if you compare that to 3 times over the last three years in California is way better.

I celebrated five years with my employer in 2016. Staying with the same company is unheard of in millennials, but they treat me well, so I try to return the favor. Oh, side note, I also got guest listed to Blink 182 this year. Check. I was able to make it as an artist to NAMM in Anaheim, met Adam Sandler and his mom on the Malibu pier and discussed fishing, and visit the Pabst offices.

Testing things out. NAMM. Anaheim, CA. 2016.

So, when I hear people say today that 2016 was a wash, I will ask them to reflect on all the great things that happened in their life last year and think about what good has happened. I know the world can appear to be in distress. Without hope, gratitude and a positive outlook on what we DO have going for us, we are just adding to the shit pile.

Don’t add to the shit pile. Stay positive. Fight for good. Have Fun. Be grateful.

Let’s make it a banner year.

-YourFriendMatt

BONUS PHOTOS:

Last photo of our home in Santa Monica, CA. 2016.

Original 5. El Matador Beach, Malibu, CA. 2016.

Random mall parking lot. Columbus, OH. 2016.

First Christmas in Nashville. First Christmas as homeowners. Nashville, TN. 2016.

Somewhere on the PCH. Los Angeles, CA. 2016.

Friday 6-Pack...

November 18, 2016 by Matt Bates

This weeks list includes some new rock-alternative jams I found over the course of the week; including new songs from The Black Moods, Crying and Waterparks. Great for a quick and easy afternoon listen this weekend!

Share, listen and enjoy!

-YourFriendMatt

Friday Playlist...

November 11, 2016 by Matt Bates

This week's list includes some new tracks from new (and old) alternative-rock acts. We have some new American Football, new Dryjacket (album not out yet!), and new Passenger. Turn the radio up, smile, and slide into the weekend.

-YourFriendMatt

Take a hike...

October 30, 2016 by Matt Bates

Had an opportunity to get out and go for a hike today. On top of that, I was able to test out my new iPhone camera which I had been dying to try. The iPhone 7 Plus camera is incredible. The new portrait mode feature for the Plus model rivals my old DSLR. I attached a few photos here!