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$22 Advance / $25 Door / $10 Livestream
Nashville-based Crys Matthews is a troubadour of truth, emerging as one of the brightest stars in the new generation of socially conscious musicians. A multi-award-winning, prolific songwriter and composer, Matthews seamlessly blends Country, Americana, Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass into a bold, intricate performance rooted in traditional melodies, yet punctuated by raw, original lyrics that speak to the heart of our times.
ASCAP VP & Creative Director Eric Philbrook praises her, saying, “By weaving honest emotions into her socially aware messages, Matthews delivers them with a powerful voice and a warm heart, lifting our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.” Justin Hiltner of Bluegrass Situation adds, "Her gift is a reminder of the beauty that arises when we bridge divides." For Matthews, her mission is clear: "To amplify the voices of the unheard, to shed light on the unseen, and to be a steadfast reminder that hope and love are the truest pathways to equity and justice." Her upcoming album stands as a powerful testament to this mission.
In February 2024, at Folk Alliance International, Matthews was struck by a comment from a Scottish Folk artist, who posed the question: how many record labels are truly pursuing "music from my tradition." The phrase lingered in her mind. “I loved the idea of that. It’s the perfect way to talk about music: what is your tradition, who are your people, what is the fabric of you?”
Now, a proud Nashville resident and daughter of the South—though always North Carolina at her core—Matthews embraces the concept of tradition with boldness and clarity on her new album, Reclamation. As a self-proclaimed poster child of intersectionality, Matthews is answering those questions with an album that reflects both her personal and artistic journey.
Reclamation, recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium Studios, was produced by Levi Lowry, co-writer of Zac Brown Band's hit “Colder Weather.” Featuring contributions from her partner Heather Mae, alongside friends and fellow songwriters Kyshona, Melody Walker, and Chris Housman, the album also showcases some of the finest musicians in Music City, including Megan Coleman, Megan Elizabeth McCormick, Ellen Angelico, Ryan Madora, Jen Gunderman, and Michael Majett.
“This album is the fullest representation of who I am as an artist and as a human,” Matthews says. As a preacher’s kid, a Black woman, a Butch lesbian, and a proud Southerner, Matthews is not only reclaiming space for Black artists in Country and Americana, for LGBTQ voices in faith communities, and for women’s autonomy over their bodies, but she is also reclaiming the South that raised her. Reclamation is a bold statement of identity, resilience, and the power of music to challenge, heal, and unite.
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Crys Matthews Biography
Already being hailed as “the next Woody Guthrie,” Nashville resident Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. A powerful lyricist whose songs of compassionate dissent reflect her lived experience as what she lightheartedly calls "the poster-child for intersectionality," Justin Hiltner of Bluegrass Situation called Matthews’s gift "a reminder of what beauty can occur when we bridge those divides." She is made for these times and, with the release of her new, hope-fueled, love-filled social justice album Changemakers, Matthews hopes to take her place alongside some of her heroes in the world of social-justice music like Sweet Honey in the Rock and Holly Near. Of Matthews, ASCAP VP & Creative Director Eric Philbrook says, “By wrapping honest emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice, she lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.
”Matthews began performing in 2010, but cemented her acclaim at Lincoln Center as the 2017 New Song Music and Performance Competition grand prize winner. That year she also released two new projects—her album of thoughtful songs on love and life called The Imagineers, and her EP called Battle Hymn for an Army of Lovers, which tackles social justice themes. Matthews also won the People’s Music Network’s Social Justice Songs contest at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance. Loyal fans quickly followed as Matthews racked up performances at large music festivals and prestigious venues across the country including the Sundance Film Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, and locally at venues like The Birchmere, TheHamilton, Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, and Jammin' Java. In her TedTalk about difficult conversations called "Sing, Don't Shout—An Alternative Approach" Matthews spoke about being born and raised in a small town in southeastern NorthCarolina by an A.M.E.preacher, and how she witnessed the power of music from an early age. A former drum major and classically-trained clarinetist turned folk singer, Matthews is using her voice to answer Dr. Martin Luther King's call to be "a drum major for justice."
“I believe in hope,” Matthews said. “As a social-justice songwriter, it is my duty to keep breathing that hope and encouragement into the people who listen to my music.” And, from the title track to the last track, Changemakers does just that all while tackling some heavy topics like immigration, the opioid crisis, Black Lives Matter, and gun safety to name a few.“ Ani DiFranco said, “People used to make records as in a record of an event," said Matthews, “so I hope that these songs will serve as a time capsule, a record of the events of the last four years and what it was like to live through them.” Crys Matthews's thoughtful, realistic and emotional songs speak to the voice of our generation and remind us why music indeed soothes the soul.
Read More”Matthews began performing in 2010, but cemented her acclaim at Lincoln Center as the 2017 New Song Music and Performance Competition grand prize winner. That year she also released two new projects—her album of thoughtful songs on love and life called The Imagineers, and her EP called Battle Hymn for an Army of Lovers, which tackles social justice themes. Matthews also won the People’s Music Network’s Social Justice Songs contest at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance. Loyal fans quickly followed as Matthews racked up performances at large music festivals and prestigious venues across the country including the Sundance Film Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, and locally at venues like The Birchmere, TheHamilton, Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, and Jammin' Java. In her TedTalk about difficult conversations called "Sing, Don't Shout—An Alternative Approach" Matthews spoke about being born and raised in a small town in southeastern NorthCarolina by an A.M.E.preacher, and how she witnessed the power of music from an early age. A former drum major and classically-trained clarinetist turned folk singer, Matthews is using her voice to answer Dr. Martin Luther King's call to be "a drum major for justice."
“I believe in hope,” Matthews said. “As a social-justice songwriter, it is my duty to keep breathing that hope and encouragement into the people who listen to my music.” And, from the title track to the last track, Changemakers does just that all while tackling some heavy topics like immigration, the opioid crisis, Black Lives Matter, and gun safety to name a few.“ Ani DiFranco said, “People used to make records as in a record of an event," said Matthews, “so I hope that these songs will serve as a time capsule, a record of the events of the last four years and what it was like to live through them.” Crys Matthews's thoughtful, realistic and emotional songs speak to the voice of our generation and remind us why music indeed soothes the soul.
Contemporary Folk
Americana
Folk
Social Justice Music
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