Message in the Music
Matt White's melodies enthrall and encourage

Matt White has music in his DNA. After all, his grandmother was the first American female to conduct an orchestra. His great uncles were the first white musicians invited into Harlem to play with distinguished jazz performer, Louis Armstrong. White became an accomplished piano player at age 3 and wrote his first composition, titled “Future Fears and Friends,” at age 11. Music always made sense to him.

But it wasn’t until he arrived in Wisconsin that White found his own euphonic clarity. Madison became his musical backbone; he spent four years developing his style in this laid-back city, writing and performing for anyone willing to listen. Wisconsin launched him into a career alive with music. Since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, White has released an album, performed all over the world and was named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Artists to Watch.” One of UW-Madison’s own seems to be striking melodic stardom.

The New Jersey native moved back east after graduating and performed anywhere he could find an audience. His typical venues were New York City subway stations, occasionally landing gigs in restaurants and music clubs throughout the city. Somewhere along the way an impressed listener submitted one of White’s songs to Geffen Records. His breezy instrumentals, passionate lyrics and online fan base of over 50,000 MySpace friends clinched the deal.

Geffen Records signed White in 2006, releasing his debut EP, “Bleeker Street Stories,” soon after. Taking a minimalist approach that emphasizes the intersection of vocals, guitar and piano, White sings to the soul. The magnetism of his tunes is what lures his fans, particularly his female audience. White draws inspiration from grittier acts like Bruce Springsteen and Def Leppard, but he debuted on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart with the decidedly sentimental “Best Days.”

The 28-year-old emerging star has trouble categorizing his own music, blending alternative pop with rock, country and folk, emphasizing they are “all rolled up into one.” Whatever the genre, this musician is beginning to see a reward for years of focus and dedication.

Besides releasing his full-length album in 2007, White’s songs have been featured in hit movies and primetime TV shows including “Shrek The Third” and “One Tree Hill.” His career path, beginning with his musically driven childhood, has been highlighted regularly on MTV with a 60-second vignette titled, “A Brief History of Matt White.” His three music videos allow fans to put a face to his harmonious melodies. White’s second single that repeatedly poses the ambiguous question: “What is love?” was voted to be the musical backdrop for McDonald’s latest TV commercial. Touring with big-time artists such as Sheryl Crow and John Mayer simultaneously introduced White to new audiences and confirmed his love for performing. He recently wrapped up his cross-country “Vote For Love” tour, and he and his band have played in almost 75 cities over the last four months.

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