Griffin House began writing and recording and issued his first independent release, Upland, in 2003. His music attracted attention from Nettwerk, a Vancouver-based management company and record label, and House partnered with the label's American branch to issue Lost & Found in 2004. In August 2004, on CBS Sunday Morning, music journalist Bill Flanagan (MTV/VH1) raved about Lost and Found, putting the newcomer on his short list of the best emerging songwriters in the U.S. “I bought House’s CD after a show in New York City,” said Flanagan, “and this never happens: I took it home and must have listened to it 20 times that weekend. I was knocked out.”
Several self-released albums followed, and in 2008 House released Flying Upside Down, produced by Jeff Trott and featuring Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench. House has released the majority of his records on his imprint label, Evening Records. House has toured extensively, opening for artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Patti Scialfa, Josh Ritter, John Mellencamp, and Mat Kearney. Since 2007 House has been a national headliner.
Griffin House Website
Ambition is evident in Matthew Perryman Jones' third record, but first proper release. This record is the sound of Jones simultaneously putting his neck on the line and shedding musical inhibitions, and finding his voice in doing so. He began writing songs in high school, where he also formed his first band, and was 15 when they recorded their first five-song demo (produced by Indigo Girls producer Don McCollister.)
By the mid-90s, he was fronting an Atlanta folk-rock band with steady gigs at the legendary Eddie's Attic. As his own songwriting began to bloom and solo shows at Eddie's followed, friends encouraged the burgeoning artist to pursue his music full-time. Before long, Jones had packed his things and was headed for Nashville. After relocating, Jones soon found a pocket of independent artists who quickly became his musical community. Touring and writing with these contemporaries has contributed to Jones' growth as an artist. In collaborating with local talents, he eventually became acquainted with producer Neilson Hubbard with whom he soon began working.
Swallow the Sea is Jones' second consecutive album with Hubbard (Garrison Starr, Glen Phillips, Matthew Ryan). "Save You" (co-written with Hubbard) was the first track on the record to garner attention via multiple television placements (Kyle XY, Private Practice) and resulted in an internet groundswell, as well as being the impetus for this new album. Jones' strength as a writer is further showcased on this record from the aggressive pop of "Without a Clue" to the breezy "Amelia" and the quirky "When it Falls Apart".
Matthew Perryman Jones Website
