Matt Woods
Matt Woods is both a native of Iowa, and a longstanding purveyor of its diverse blues scene. As a seasoned performer of many local, regional and national clubs and venues, Matt has developed a distinct style while staying true to his love of traditional American roots music. Woods is well-
versed in the many shapes this music can take; from traditional delta, hill country and urban electric blues, to gospel, country and folk music.
Woods has been performing regularly since 2002 and has released 4 albums (two solo albums, and two backed by his unparalleled band, The Thunderbolts). He has also won the Iowa Blues Challenge and gone on the represent the state in the International Blues Challenge an unprecedented 3 times. Matt’s first solo album, “If I Was a Fish”, finished in the top 5 of the International Blues Foundation’s “best self-produced CD” category in 2007. His three subsequent albums have also gained national attention.
2007’s, “Be My Friend”, was referred to as “blistering” by Dirty Linen magazine, and Living Blues magazine called 2010’s “Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts”, “a smoking amalgam of Hound Dog Taylor and Freddy King”. Additionally, Blues Revue called the album; raw, hypnotic and “very appealing”. The 2015 release, “Sawdust and Gasoline”, is comprised completely of original material in an age-old tradition, featuring slashing slide guitar work, shake-it-don’t-break-it rhythms and powerful vocals.
A consummate live performer, Woods performs original music as well as many rare, once-forgotten covers with passion.
King of the Tramps with Special Guest
King Of The Tramps is an original roots-rock group, whose sound calls upon influences from modern roots rock, rhythm and blues, rock and southern, country rock. Their sound has been described as “Whiskey Gospel” and “Midwestern Roots Rock” by critics.
Matt Woods
Matt Woods’ introspective new album titled How To Survive is now available on Lonely Ones Records. This third studio album from Woods was written throughout the rigorous touring schedule he has maintained since the 2014 release of his With Love From Brushy Mountain album which garnered the songwriter national and international acclaim including accolades citing the album and it’s first single, “Deadman’s Blues,” at the top of several critics’ Best Of lists.
The self-produced How To Survive was recorded in Knoxville, Tennessee at Shed 55 Studios and features the talents of quite a few notable musicians such as Aaron Lee Tasjan on electric guitars, Jeremy Mackinder (Whitey Morgan and the 78s and Deadstring Brothers) on bass, Todd Beene (Lucero, Glossary, and Chuck Ragan and the Camaraderie) on pedal steel, Liz Sloan (Urban Pioneers) on fiddle, and Kevin Hogle (Fifth on the Floor and 500 Miles To Memphis) on drums. The album also features performances by Knoxville’s own Stevie Jones on keys and Sarrenna McNulty on backing vocals. Also making appearances on backing vocals are fellow songwriters Adam Lee and Jeff Shepherd.
Dave Tamkin
Chicago Singer/Songwriter, Dave Tamkin, currently resides in Boulder, CO. He has created his own unique style of rhythmic-acoustic sounds that’s based around a fresh musical vision. His shows vary from intimate solo acoustic performances to a full band experience (dBsound.Co) encapsulating a mixture of personal lyrics and skilled songwriting set against a high-energy percussive backbone.