Friday 6-Pack...

This list starts a little polished and ends a little indie! Perfect for driving home into the weekend!

We have some (NEW) New Found Glory, Carousel Kings, Columbus and most importantly a new fast-paced Descendents track!

All proceeds from Descendents track will benefit the ACLU, Planned Parenthood & the SPLC. I am not usually one to get caught up with any political affiliations or what is right...but this just seems right. Feel free to download it here and help!

Music Saves. Listen, share and enjoy!

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack...On a Sunday...

(Finally) New Paramore! This week's list makes you tap your toes, snap your fingers, and dance the day away! 

This new Paramore track is different from what we have come to expect, but damn, it's good. Check it out!

This playlist also includes some very groovy vibes from Table Talk and Mom Jeans, as well as a new somber track from Have Mercy.

Music saves. Listen, share and enjoy!

-YourFriendMatt

They call me Bob the Builder...

"Oh shit, it's bleeding! Grab me a towel! And a beer!" - Me.

No household project is complete without some bloodshed. Nothing a beer can't fix.

Recently the weather has changed, and it has led Jamie and me from the black hole we get sucked into, most commonly known as the couch and Netflix, to adventure out and about through Nashville. Everyone in our neighborhood seems to be shaking the coat of winter off and working in their yards. We were inspired to start sprucing up home after a neighborhood walk. After watching some YouTube videos, we got an over-eager sense of confidence that led us to believe we could do just about any project no matter how big or small. Fix the sink? Check. Put in a raised garden? Check. Put on a glass storm door? Check. Fix and replace specific parts of the dishwasher? Uh, probably? Check. Rip up the walkway and put in a new one? Sure! That should only take me a minute! Check.

We decided the front door and the raised garden were the starting points this season. These two tasks seemed moderately simple; we have the tools to get it done, and are pretty cost effective starting points as far as home projects are concerned. After some more YouTubing, we were ready. We hit the hardware store, got what we needed and we were on the way.

Honestly, I wish I had a funnier story but putting on a storm door is a pretty straight forward process. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to install. I did hurt myself and left a little blood on the porch, but it was worth it. Any job worth doing is worth doing without any knowledge of safety.

When all was said and done this project was pretty cheap, and it added a bunch of light to our living room. This door also added value (at least for us) to our home and gave me a sense of pride. I mean just watch the video below.

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack...

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...

Spring is here and so are 6 new jams I found this week!

I am feeling a little (second) home sick, especially with Spring in Nashville. Today I am missing rides on my bike at the beach, stopping to read a borrowed book from the library, and the cool, morning wind on my face. But, these new tracks from The Flatliners, A Will Away, Free Throw and Dozer TX are helping my commute into work this morning! 

Check it out! 

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack

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...

Blink 182! Minus the Bear! The Maine! Oh my!

Sleeping Beauty...

I have been sleeping like crap lately. I have no idea what is going on, but that does not stop Jamie and me from playing one of our favorite games. When either of us passes out on the couch, we steal each other's phones and take pictures of how great we both look sleeping. Here I am the other night. What makes this better is that you do not tell the other person to know you took their photo and let them find it on their own. I opened up my phone yesterday to show someone something for work and boom; there I am passed out, drooling on the couch.

I suggest you play. It's great.

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack...

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

February...

I did an experiment in February. I wanted to break my routines. For the last decade, I believe I have probably had at least one beer every day. It became routine. It took up time. Maybe it made me lazy when I could have been working on something. Although I do not classify myself as a lazy person, I wanted to know if there was more I could be doing instead of sitting on the couch having a brew.

There was a lot of personal growth over the last few years. I advanced in my career that moved us across the country twice, gone back to school full-time, cultivated a lifestyle of positivity, go to the gym a few times a week, launched a creative blog that I update weekly, curate and publish weekly playlists for emerging artists, and still actively perform music. Sounds like a lot, but maybe there is more.

By checking social media, scrolling through thousands of pictures for extended periods of time, sitting on the couch and enjoying an adult beverage, I wondered how that was adding anything positive to my life. I was looking for a reset and February seemed to be a perfect time. My birthday is January 31st, so figured I could go out with a bang on my birthday and start fresh on February 1st. 

Breaking routines and mental queues is not easy, but I accomplished it. I went a full month with no social media, no credit cards and (strike up the band) no alcohol of any kind. Yikes. It was not as hard as I thought or seems. I found myself on my days off and weekends adventuring around Nashville a little bit more, taking up new hobbies, finding new restaurants and cafes instead of going to the local dive. 

It was a great reset. I read more. I took up rock climbing. I took more walks and explored the neighborhood. I took my dogs out more. I engaged in more conversations and even forgot my phone twice when I went to work. My credit score went up, and I got caught up on some minor debts that I wanted to pay off. I saved a bunch of money that I would have used to grab some beer and paid off most of my Discover card. Unplugging was refreshing.

We are in March now, and I have noticed that a lot of the changes have impacted my routines. Since my February detox, I am more aware of how often I pick up my phone and check it for no reason at all. I have found myself in March just standing with my phone and wondering why I even picked it up. Going to the fridge and grabbing a beer or even buying beer isn't top of mind (for the most part - I love beer). It is interesting to see how a few minor changes can open your eyes and that is what I was looking to do in February.

I celebrated with friends on March 1st and went back to the bar. It was fun, and I do love having drinks with friends, sharing posts and photos and seeing less debt when I open up my financial apps. Now I am more conscience about how many times I am checking my phone. I feel I notice myself doing it less, reminding myself to put the phone down and look up to see the awesomeness that is going on around me.

Now, who wants to grab a beer?

-YourFriendMatt

Breaking and changing habits can be hard. If you want to see how many times you check your phone every day, download this app Checky. It may blow your mind.

Friday 6-Pack...

Took some time off to get centered...so much music to catch up on and curate!

Here are some alternative-pop jams I found while I was away including The Maine, Bearings, The Menzingers and more!

Share. Listen. Enjoy!

-YourFriendMatt

Three Decades...

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

Social Media Hiatus...

I spend way too much time scrolling on my iPhone. When I calculate the time I spend looking through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and all the other time wasters I use too many times a day, it blows my mind. This February I will be taking a break from social media to lift my head from the screen to see whats going on around me. Who knows maybe I will write more, read more or even work on the book I swear I am going to finish. Maybe I will spend more time running, meditating, hiking, working on projects in the house, finding new restaurants or walking around the neighborhood. Maybe I will be completely lost and go through withdraw, who knows. This hiatus challenge I want to stick to and get plugged back into my surroundings instead of seeing what pop culture is up too. It’ll be interesting to hear about new music, movies, shows and other things I am interested in from my friends like I use to, rather than mindlessly scrolling through thousands of photo posts.

Let’s see what happens.

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack...

Here is this weeks list of 6 songs I found while having some drinks with family including new Dryjacket, Jank, Homesafe and more!

Listen, share and enjoy!

-YourFriendMatt

Mustache Care...

Mustache care is very important to me. You must have the right tools to ensure the success of your whiskers. It takes time and patience, but well worth the reward. 

My great friend Tom from Pugilist sent me an awesome care package this week to make sure my handlebars are well maintained. Not only does Pugilist make malleable products for all kinds of men's grooming, it also makes my snot mop smell incredible. All day I enjoy the fresh scent of a citrus grove or cedar. Makes for a great day.

Check 'em out! They have tons of great info, tutorials and products!

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack...

Woke up this morning to the first snow fall I have seen in years. Hopefully this weeks installment of the 6-pack will warm up and calm down my morning commute! This week includes a new track from New Jersey's Dryjacket and some new undiscovered acts (at least to me) including The Obsessives, Direct Hit! and Dead to Me.

Listen, share, enjoy and be careful out there!

-YourFriendMatt

2017...

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.

12:01 January 1, 2016. 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.

On the road again...

Nederland, CO. 2016.

The Grand Canyon. 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.

Nashville, TN. 2016.

Nashville, TN. 2016.

Hollywood, CA. 2016.

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.

Nashville, TN. 2016.

NAMM. Anaheim, CA. 2016.

NAMM. Anaheim, CA. 2016.

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

Pabst. Los Angeles, 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.

LACMA. Los Angeles, CA. 2016.

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

Friday 6-Pack...

After some month long technical difficulties, we are back up and running! Here is this weeks 6-pack filled with new alt-rock gems from Hot Mulligan, Japandroids, Deaf Havana and more!

Enjoy, share, and have a great Friday!

Wine and Bocce...

What is a perfect day? I would say it is a day filled with fun with the one person on the planet that makes you feel better than anyone. We have hit a few bumps in the road over the last few months moving across the country and the financial stress that comes with that. We have experienced our first break in. We have had cars break down, appliances break and even a fender bender. But, we are still here and happy. That's the difference. Over the last few weeks we have gone through some shit but stayed positive. It is the attitude that makes the difference.

We were able to great a day together yesterday and spent it adventuring around in the fall weather. We found a plantation that doubled as a winery, so we decided to spend out afternoon on their grounds partaking in some awesome wine and playing some outdoor activities. Here are some shots from the day. 

Completely unedited using iPhone 7 Plus

Completely unedited using iPhone 7 Plus

Completely unedited using iPhone 7 Plus

People ask all the time, 'Are you this happy all the time?' or 'How are you this happy all the time?' I just don't know. I guess I am just lucky.

Completely unedited using iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch

-YourFriendMatt

Friday 6-Pack...

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