Published: December 27, 2009 2:44 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight January 2010 Edition
Matt Flinner Trio
Bluegrass Music Artist/Band of the Week December 27, 2009 - January 02, 2010
Matt Flinner Trio Photo by Gregory Byerline
Junior's Cave interviews Matt Flinner Trio about their music and what fans can expect from their new CDs. The Trio is consisted of Matt Flinner, Ross Martin (guitar) and Eric Thorin (bass). Check out what our Webzine discovered about the band in this new super spotlight.
Isaac: I just listened to one of your songs titled, "Inferno Reel". What was the inspiration for making this song and your new album?
Matt Flinner Trio: This tune was written during one of our "Music du Jour" tours, on which we each wrote music every day to perform on that night's show. We generally wrote one tune each, so three new tunes were premiered on every evening's show. I wrote "Inferno Reel" while driving from Denver to Carbondale, Colorado. I wanted to write a fiddle tune, and this one ended up taking some unusual turns in the chord progression, which I liked.
Isaac: Who were your influences?
Matt Flinner Trio: Mostly bluegrass while growing up, especially modern artists like Tony Rice, Tim O'Brien, Bela Fleck, and David Grisman. Later, I listened to Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charles Mingus, and music by composers like Stravinsky and Bartok.
Isaac: What do you consider to have been the highlight(s) and lowpoint(s) of your career to date?
Matt Flinner Trio: I think the highlight for this trio thus far was the recording of our CD, "Music du Jour." We went through the process of weeding through 60 or so tunes we had written on "du Jour" tours and refined them in the studio. It was a rare session where everything clicked and we felt the final results were pretty magical.
Lowpoint for me: probably playing at lunchtime at a job corps facility and being heckled by the attendees.
Isaac: Those Job Corps crowds are tough on anyone so I would not feel too badly on that one.
Isaac: Brief history about your background plus the style of music you play.
Matt Flinner Trio: I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. My dad had a collection of bluegrass records which I'd often hear around the house---the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, and Flatt & Scruggs. Later, my older brother, Rex, learned how to play the banjo. I loved the sound of it and asked him to teach me. He later got me started on the mandolin, which became my main instrument.
I played bluegrass music in bands around Salt Lake City until college, and then began touring with various bands and getting more and more into jazz-related music.
Isaac: How easy is it to gets gigs for you as an artist? What is the live music scene like in your area?
Matt Flinner Trio: It is easy in the Rocky Mountain States, which is sort of our home turf. We're still trying to push further into the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest. Where I live in Nashville, TN, the music scene is very active. It's relatively easy to get a gig but often tough to get a big crowd, as there is a lot going on here on any given night. But it's an inspiring place to live.
Isaac: What do you think of the state of music at the moment? Do you listen to radio much at all? Has the Internet helped music grow or hindered it in your opinion?
Matt Flinner Trio: I have no idea what's on the radio these days. But the Internet has tremendously helped the growth of music, in my opinion. The instant access to music from all over the world has made it easier to find the music you're looking for and to find new music you've never heard of. Styles are blending these days, and I think that's a good thing.
Isaac: If you could create a fantasy band - what would be the line-up and why?
Matt Flinner Trio: Ron Miles, trumpet; one of my favorite composers and arrangers Bill Frisell, guitar; tone and texture Joey Baron, drums; taste and melody from the drummer Dave Holland, bass; aggressive and deep player The Emerson String Quartet, violins, viola and cello; great interpreters.
Isaac: What CD's do you currently have available and where can they be purchased from?
Matt Flinner Trio:
Matt Flinner Trio: "Music du Jour".
Matt Flinner: "The View from Here," "Latitude".
Matt Flinner Quartet: "Walking on the Moon".
Phillips, Grier and Flinner: "Looking Back" and self-titled They can all be purchased at www.compassrecords.com, www.amazon.com or on iTunes.
Isaac: Where can fans access your music, videos, blogs, and anything else about you online?
Matt Flinner Trio: Thank you very much for coming to see us in '09---you make it possible for us to do this. We hope to provide some small enrichment to your listening life and hope to see you next year!
