Matt Bates

Your.Friend.Matt

My blog about anything and everything. Let’s connect.

  • YourFriendMatt
  • Thoughts
  • Pictures
  • VIDEO

Friday 6-Pack...

September 16, 2016 by Matt Bates

My friend Chris sent me a song that inspired this weeks 6-pack. Enjoy some great emo-indie-rock from American Football, Minus The Bear, Hey Mercedes, and Into It. Over It. This list will help you get pumped to relax all weekend long! 

 

Enjoy, jam, and share!

 

-YourFriendMatt

September 16, 2016 /Matt Bates
nashville, playlist, apple, music, apple music, indie, indie rock, alternative, american footbal, american football, into it. over it., minus the bear
Comment
Live on the Green, Nashville, TN - Summer 2016

Live on the Green, Nashville, TN - Summer 2016

Friday 6-Pack...

September 02, 2016 by Matt Bates

Somos, on their summer headliner, and their tour mates, inspire this weeks playlist. They recently rolled through Nashville, and it was a energetic show. Finding new jams in one of my favorite activities and this list is all new for me! Enjoy this raw, hard-hitting list with songs from High Waisted, Free Throw and Secret Stuff!

Let's coast into our 3-day weekend! 

 

-YourFriendMatt

September 02, 2016 /Matt Bates
nashville, Tennessee, live on the green, somos, high waisted, alternative, apple, apple music, passion, indie, indie rock, rock, music
Comment

Friday Playlist...

March 04, 2016 by Matt Bates

Time for some fresh pop-punk on this glorious Friday! This list I curated were some favorite sugary jams I found this week through Apple Music. Its a short sweet list that keeps the tempo up! Enjoy here!

March 04, 2016 /Matt Bates
california, rock, indie rock, friday, los angeles, apple, apple music, passion, pop punk, love, music
Comment

Playlist Friday...

September 11, 2015 by Matt Bates

This was brought to me through Apple Music and it is helping me out with this bike ride to work! Fast tempo Bloc Party and Ida Maria always get the ball rolling for the weekend. Check it out!

September 11, 2015 /Matt Bates
california, los angeles, bloc party, ida maria, apple, indie, indie rock, love, apple music
Comment
Photo: Roger Ramirez - IG: @rawgerrrphotos

Photo: Roger Ramirez - IG: @rawgerrrphotos

On Tinder with PAPERFOX...

August 08, 2015 by Matt Bates

In a time when people are using Tinder for last minute hook-ups and free pizza, one SoCal DIY band is using the dating app to build a tangible fan base conveniently co-located to their live show circuits. I stumbled upon these guys while surfing Tinder (I had just come out of a serious relationship, don’t judge!). The profile of a faceless (and probably) cute guy in a sharp graphic tee with an adorable puppy peaked my interest. Sold, swipe right. Admittedly, I didn’t read the bio until after they started messaging me about what sort of music I’m into. Once I realized it was a band, I had to meet up with them to get the inside scoop on their music and why they were using dating apps with ulterior motives. 

I met up with Christian (Drums) and Danny (Guitar). The explain it has been Christian’s idea to join Tinder as a band while brainstorming ways get their name out to more local fans. Their fan base has been spread through other countries and states from Youtube traffic and other social media campaigns, but how to get more LA folks was the new mission. Tinder was a perfect way to connect with fans locally and increase attendance at their shows. 

Dating sites and musicians both have a proven track record of bringing out a few crazies (sorry mom!). As a result of their Tinder fan-scouting, they have invited some intense fans. “There was one fan that showed up by surprise, and drove about an hour and a half to see us,” they told me. “She was very persistent on trying to hang out with one of us after the show, and several times after that night.” The girl has since backed off, but there’s bound to be a few more as they continue to grow in popularity. 

The band name (which can be Googled - PAPERFOX - all one word) was actually inspired by the Thrice song “Paper Tigers." They don’t mind sharing their name with girly shoes, though (now Google PAPER FOX - 2 words). “It's amazing! Hope they start making men's shoes so we can rock them during our shows.” 

While this band isn’t a first for any of these guys, their roles in PAPERFOX have given them new challenges. Their singer, Richard, had previously been a drummer until they couldn’t seem to find the right singer to front the band. Danny suggested Richard try singing and as you can see he turned out to have a great voice, so it’s worked out so far!

Check out the bands melodic, indie-rock EP Dreamcatcher here now!


August 08, 2015 /Matt Bates
tinder, los angeles, warped tour, paperfox, california, indie, indie rock, rolling stone, bands, music, tour
Comment