I perform with a variety of musical acts, sometimes as band leader and others as sideman. Here are a few with promo reels and brief descriptions of each. Please visit my YouTube page for videos of many other original works/compositions/arrangements & performances:
Matty Metcalfe Solo (guitar/accordion/piano/vocals or instrumental only)-I perform at many venues in the region as a soloist, often bringing a few instruments for variety’s sake and playing to backing tracks I arranged from various musical styles including jazz, pop, world, folk, Classical & singer-songwriter genres so I can be a ‘band-in-a-box’ or simply a soloist serenader!
Matty Metcalfe and David Kulund-David is a singer-songwriter living in Charlottesville, Virginia. He sang and played guitar in popular bands in New York City and Boston. His rock band, the Soft Explosions, was hyped as “the best band in New York, bar none, based on their live shows” (Allmusic) and were New York winners of Little Steven’s Underground Garage Battle of the Bands. Their EP, Ride Between the Eyes, was released on Canarsie Records, while his Boston band, Honeyglazed, released the Trouble with Girls on Curve of the Earth Records. He played major music festivals like SXSW and New York City’s All Points West. David’s bands performed at premier venues like NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom and Webster Hall, sharing bills with artists like Weezer and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. He has played at the Kennedy Center. David’s song “Too Late To Say You’re Sorry” performed by his group Treasure Maps was featured in the season 2 premiere episode of the popular Epix TV series “Bridge and Tunnel” directed by Edward Burns. David also writes and performs children’s music as Ramblin’ Davey while I play his faithful sidekick Popcorn Slim. https://davidkulund.com
Uncle Pen (Bluegrass Trio with Alex Caton (fiddle/vocals) and Jordan Perry (guitar/vocals & Matty on banjo/mandolin)-Uncle Pen is a project born out of Alex’s lifelong love for the music of late great father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe. Together with Jordan and Matty, the group takes listeners on an intimate journey through the classic and lesser known corners of the Monroe universe.
Otra Vez (Nuevo Tango Trio featuring Miles Pearce-guitar, David Jacobs-drums, Matty-accordion)-Otra Vez seeks to expand the horizons of traditional Argentine tango music through innovative approaches and stylistic re-imaginings—the result is a wholly original exploration of Latin music that interweaves traditional sounds (accordion and guitar) with modern, boundary-defying sensibilities. Still in place are the groove-oriented, highly danceable boleros, rhumbas, and sambas associated with the style, but infused with Metcalfe and Pearce’s ‘Cantina-party’ melodies and Jacobs’ infectious rhythms, the re-worked songs burst with new life all their own. To achieve this ‘New Tango’ sound, fresh arrangements and a modern feel were required and each band member works within the whole to create a cohesive sound that suggests modern ambassadors like Buena Vista Social Club, Manu Chao and John Zorn. Vocal melodies intertwine with plaintive accordion passages which together invokes a timeless portrait of Andean hillsides, Cuban beaches, and Sao Paolo nightclubs—Pearce’s original songs and the group’s unique reworking of more traditional fare are impossible to place yet indelibly universal all the same. Have a seat and a sip as you enjoy the instantly recognizable yet thrillingly exotic sounds of Buenos Aires and beyond as presented by Otra Vez.
Recherché Duo (Cathy Monnes-violin/cello & Matty on accordion/guitar/vocals)-Multi-instrumentalist Matty Metcalfe pairs up with avant auteur Cathy Monnes for an exciting new musical collaboration that takes listeners on a journey from Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras to dark-lit European seasides and speakeasies and back through Latin American hill country with sounds both familiar and foreign. Their entrancing musical selections are simultaneously accessible and exotic, filtering well-known era-spanning American and esoteric songs through a soundscape of Zydeco accordion, Appalachian fiddle, blues guitar and funky drum breaks that together creates an infectiously ‘full-band’ sound. Following in the modern tradition of bands like Postmodern Jukebox, Pink Martini and Nuevelle Vague, The Recherche Duo reimagines immediately recognizable material as a wholly new listening experience. Before you know it you’ll be dancing and singing along to the group’s ‘re-found sounds!
Matty Metcalfe and Crewe d’Bayou plays ‘Pan-Bayou’ dance music for all ages! The band’s repertoire features many original compositions in addition to musical touchstones from many eras–including songs by Ray Charles, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, James Booker, and modern groups from Louisiana, Texas, and the Gulf Coast. Along with his ‘stride-piano’ virtuosity, Mr. Metcalfe plays a special electric accordion that, in addition to normal accordion voices, features organ, trumpet, clarinet, and harmonica sounds! New Orleans native Aric Van Brocklin’s soulful singing and slide/electric guitar leads add a distinctively bayou-borne flair while Paul Rosner (drums) and Mike Clem (bass) lay down the infectiously danceable groove. It is a sight to see and wonder to hear these fabulous musicians in Crewe d’Bayou, described as ‘the best New Orleans band this side of the Mississippi!’
The Lua Project (Estela Knott–jarana/vocals, David Berzonsky-bass/requinto/vocals, Christen Hubbard-mandolin/violin, Matty-accordion/banjo plus others (trumpet, drums)–See website for more details & complete bio–http://luaproject.org
The Gooey Gumdrops (Four-piece tribute to 1960’s Girl Groups featuring David ‘Dee’ Kulund-acoustic guitar/vocals, Michael ‘Mablethorpe’ Clem-bass/vocals, Justin ‘Wham-bam’ Storer-drums/vocals and Matty ‘Nana Puddin’ on electric guitar/vocals)-The Gooey Gumdrops celebrate the magical girl groups of the 60’s playing the hits of the Ronettes, Supremes, Shangri-Las and more…they’re a sight to be seen, an experience to behold, and a group of grown men, be-wigged!