Matthew Ryan: “For as long as I’m compelled to write and sing, then I will write and sing. As long as it feels like fire.”

Listening to Matthew Ryan‘s music is always a profound experience. There is something so strikingly real and compelling within the beautifully potent sound and voice of the Pennsylvania born singer-songwriter, something that engages with listeners as much as his words, wisdom, grace and all around humbleness. And it’s like an ultimate fuel for the soul that he shares with us fellow humans.

Matthew doesn’t hide his excitement about bringing his music and his band, The Northern Wires over to the UK, Ireland and Europe to join The Gaslight Anthem on their reunion tour in celebration of the ten-year anniversary of The ’59 Sound. And as Matthew is no stranger to the majority of this audience, I am sure that him and his band will receive a great welcome at each show.

A special headlining gig is set to take place at the Borderline venue in London on 30th July, and if you also wish to experience Matthew in a more intimate setting, make sure to catch one of his solo shows, starting on August 1st in Brighton.

I caught up with Matthew before he journeyed across the water to talk about the upcoming tour, music, life and the fire within…

Track of the Week / The Virginmarys – Motherless Land

It’s been three long years since MGMB’s favourite Macclesfield trio The Virginmarys released their magnificent debut album King of Conflict, which recieved a lot of praise and has been blasting out loud countless times by their most dedicated fans as well as other huge punk/rock enthusiasts. If you’ve attended the band’s most recent gigs, you’ve had the great pleasure of hearing some new material including their brand new track Motherless Land, which the guys shared with us this week alongside the long-awaited announcement of their sophomore record Divides and its awesome artwork.

Divides will be out on May 6th via Wind-Up Records and the guys also confirmed on their Facebook page that the physical copy pre-orders will be available soon. And to top it all up, it seems that there will be vinyl too. Hell yes!

You can now purchase the stunning new tune Motherless Land on iTunes together with their previous single Into Dust, or you can pre-order Divides and get both tracks immediately. Either way, just go and buy the music and let the countdown begin!

Peace. Love. Truth.

Links – Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, iTunes

Q&A – Atom Willard

With the 2014 release of Transgender Dysphoria Blues, Against Me! showed the world that even after 5 albums, a band can still break through in new and rather phenomenal ways. Part of that magic was certainly the addition of Atom Willard on drums. Atom’s thunderous performances in bands like Rocket From The Crypt and Angels and Airwaves truly set the stage for this master craftsman of rock and roll to lend his chops to a band of emotionally stellar musicians with guitars in their hands and rock in their hearts.

Between dates on their latest European tour, we were able to catch up with Atom over email for a quick Q&A. If you are indeed a fan of Against Me! (and you probably are if you’ve read this far), this quick read will give you a glimpse into Atom’s touring life, what the band is up to, and what that means for our future as fans. Enjoy!

Featured EP / Morningside Lane – Mellow Drama

New Jersey rockers Morningside Lane are back with a new fierce-sounding EP called Mellow Drama. The record, once again produced by the one and only Pete Steinkopf (Bouncing Souls), proves the four-piece get stronger and bolder with each new release.  Mellow Drama is an excellent, rich record and a great statement to the band’s future direction.  Good news is that the guys are planning a month long UK tour next year! Watch this space.

Here is some info about the EP, new video and UK tour from the band’s guitarist Jon.

Interview / The Scenes

The Finnish experimental indie-punk-rockers The Scenes are bringing their diverse sound back to the UK for a lenghty tour with The Specials. Their new album Beige is set for release on 27th October and the guys are ready to astonish the UK audience with their compelling sound.

MGMB speaks to the band’s guitarist Miki Liukkonen.