Sometimes you dont choose to be a musician; the music chooses you. So the story goes with artist Matt Moncrief. If music hadnt found its way into his bones from the beginning, life might be much easier albeit boring. But it did and it grew with him, seasoning itself as Matt evolved from church choral boy to imaginative teen, fledgling artist, aspiring bass player and finally an open-eyed adult with the natural identity as a bona fide singer-songwriter.
Born to an artistic family that counted his mother as a singer, his father as a guitar and piano player, his grandfather as a violin maker and his older brother Chris as his cohort in guitar lessons, Matt displayed his vocal talent as a child and became a regular soloist at his familys Baptist church in their hometown of Macon, Ga. At the age of nine, he was given his first guitar and began taking lessons. A year later he picked up the bass and continued his training, which was focused on building from a classical foundation. By the time Matt was in sixth grade, he had secured his place as a bass player in his brothers garage rock band of high school seniors and playing regular gigs at local parties. When he wasnt playing in the band, he could still be found singing in his church choir under the watch of a methodic choral director, as well as attending summer camps and workshops focused on nurturing his artistry.
But it was at the age of 16 that Matt began solidifying his reputation as a talented musician. He and Chris continued playing together and inviting other musicians to join them. Eventually it evolved into the band Red Fish Blu Fish, an acclaimed folk/alternative rock outfit that went on to record three CDs, make its way to college radio and tour the Southeastern bar and festival circuit. The band also had a loyal and expansive fan base, one that ultimately carried over to Matts solo shows. Like all good things, RFBF peaked before the band hit its apex. After going through two female lead singers and losing their drummer to a heavy metal band, what started as a four-piece outfit ultimately returned to the Moncrief brothers combo. Eventually, after 10 years playing together, Chris went on to become a music educator, classical music performer and family man. And while Red Fish Blu Fish occasionally reunites for select dates, the majority of Matts performances in the last four years have been as a solo artist.
Now 26-years-old, Matt says he finally has enough life experience to call himself a songwriter. Although he began co-writing songs in RFBF, it wasnt until he left his teens that he felt comfortable personalizing his music. Today, he is so personal, a fellow Macon singer-songwriter told Matt he bleeds every time he takes the stage. Although he retains an extensive cover repertoire to keep in tune with his audience, Matt remains focused on delivering a tight catalogue of original songs, where the melody always comes before the lyrics. In terms of what Ive been doing solo, its really just making sure I put out quality songs and things that are true to me, says Matt. I dont ever write with an idea in mind, necessarily, but there may be an emotion that drives me. Ive never sat down and said, I want to write a slow song, or I want to write a fast song, a sad song or a happy song. I really just write just what comes out of me.
Matt draws from a wide range of influences, among them the early 1990s rock bands and the artists at their forefront Scott Weiland, Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder as well as jazz, acoustic rock, bluegrass and his classically-trained upbringing. With his veteran vocal control and depth, Matts delivery echoes the aptitude of artists like Billy Joel, Sir Elton John and the Barenaked Ladies. And although he mainly performs in an acoustic solo setting, it is almost impossible not to hear the entire band in even the most barebones of performances. Matts signature style of growl and guts, strum and strike, rhythm and raw is versatile enough for the quaintest of coffee shops and one-man barstool gigs to the heaviest of rock stages and tough-love audiences. Maybe thats why he was voted the 2006 Macons Favorite Rock Artist in the 11th Hour Readers Choice Awards.
Proof to his solid musicianship and acute training, Matt retains a fulltime career as a music teacher at Macons premier Young American Music School. He also plays multiple professional gigs weekly and recently released a live album of his solo work. Like all driven musicians, Matt Moncrief is constantly seeking to share his music, broaden his audiences and make a livelihood of a talent that continues to live alongside him.
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