Matt Nathanson (born March 28, 1973 in Lexington, Massachusetts) is an American singer-songwriter whose work is a blend of folk and rock music. In addition to singing, he plays acoustic (usually a twelve-string) and electric guitar, and has played both solo and with a full band. He is perhaps best known for his platinum-selling song "Come On Get Higher", as well as his comedic personality.
Early life and college years
Matt Nathanson attended Pitzer College in Claremont, California (majoring in English and world literature)[1] where he met long time collaborator Mark Weinberg (of the bands Crumb and Gratitude).
Music
The members of his band have changed over the past years. Among others, he has been accompanied by Aben Eubanks on guitar, keys and vocals, but later replaced by Aaron Tap. John Thomasson has been his bassist since 2004. Jason McKenzie was on drums until Fall 2006; Nick Amoroso on two tours from Fall 2007 through Winter 2008. His current drummer is Konrad Meissner. Before 2005, Nathanson was often accompanied by cellist Matt Fish. Matt is currently working on his eighth CD, which the details of are yet unknown.[2]
Television
His latest album, Some Mad Hope, was released on August 14, 2007. The song "All We Are" was featured on the television series NCIS in the fifth season episode "Family," the first season Private Practice episode "In Which Charlotte Goes Down the Rabbit Hole," the One Tree Hill episodes "My Way Home is Through You" and "Forever and Almost Always". He was also featured on Women's Murder Club.
The ABC show Big Shots featured his song "Come On Get Higher," and the song "I Saw" was featured on Scrubs in the sixth season episode "My Best Friend's Baby's Baby and My Baby's Baby." Nathanson's song "Little Victories" was used on the Season 7 episode of Scrubs, "My Dumb Luck." On January 30, 2008, Nathanson and his band performed "Car Crash" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.[3] His song "Sooner Surrender" was used on the May 28, 2008 episode of Men in Trees, "New Dog, Old Tricks". Nathanson and his band performed "Come On Get Higher" on the "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" on December 22, 2008.[4] The CW show The Vampire Diaries featured his song "All We Are" in the first season episode, "Family Ties".
On February 13, 2009, Nathanson and his band performed "Come On Get Higher" on the Late Show with David Letterman. On March 3, 2009, he performed on Ellen, singing "Come On Get Higher".
In March 2009, Nathanson was the special guest for Episode 17 of "Live From Daryl's House", Daryl Hall's monthly Internet concert. They, along with Hall's house band, performed (among other songs) "Car Crash", "Come On Get Higher", "Still" and "All We Are", as well as Hall & Oates classics "Did It In A Minute" and "One On One". Matt Nathanson's "Come On Get Higher" is featured on the CD Circle of Friends - Dave FM: Volume 2, an Atlanta based radio station.
Covers
Matt Nathanson's cover of "Laid" by Manchester band James was featured on the American Wedding soundtrack, as well as American Pie Presents Band Camp.[5]
Nathanson is also becoming well-known at his live shows for conducting comedic sing-alongs by covering popular 80s hits from various artists. 80s hits that he has covered include: Prince's Starfish and Coffee, Survivor's Eye of the Tiger, Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer, Def Leppard's Armageddon It, Asia's Heat of the Moment, Rick Springfield's Jessie's Girl, Journey's Don't Stop Believing, The Cure's Inbetween Days, Kim Wilde's Kids in America, The National's Fake Empire and a-ha's Take on Me.
Personal life
In the early 1990s Nathanson relocated from Boston, Massachusetts to San Francisco, California.[6] He currently resides in San Francisco with his wife Bridget, whom he met in college.[1]
Discography
Studio albums
Live albums
EPs
Singles
| Year |
Single |
Peak chart positions |
Album |
| US |
US
Pop |
US AC |
US Adult |
CAN |
CAN AC |
| 2003 |
"Sad Songs" |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Beneath These Fireworks |
| 2007 |
"Car Crash" |
— |
— |
30 |
— |
— |
— |
Some Mad Hope |
| 2008 |
"Come On Get Higher" |
59 |
25 |
3 |
9 |
30 |
16 |
| 2009 |
"All We Are" |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| "Falling Apart" |
— |
— |
— |
28 |
— |
— |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart |
References
External links
