Whether playing a show in a rock club or making his way into living rooms via Grey’s Anatomy, singer-songwriter Matthew Mayfield delivers songs that are hard to ignore. Teaming up with fellow songwriter David Ramirez, the two have banded together for a run of intimate acoustic shows. We chatted with Matthew before his show tonight at Vinyl.
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
The truth: Richard Marx on the ‘Repeat Offender’ tour. I know, I know–but I was in first grade! Wilson-Phillips opened. Super lame/amazing. Although I was totally fascinated with my first ‘rock ‘spectacle, my second show was better. Slash’s Snakepit (GN’R side project) at age 11. I begged my mom to take me to see him–and it was KILLER. Got to meet him. Stole his cigarette butt out of the ashtray. Still have it. 🙂
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
I was on a tour in ’07 with Pete Yorn and we got to play a sold out show at Roseland Ballroom in New York. It was pretty surreal. They weren’t ‘my fans’ but it was still pretty incredible to walk out and have an audience take to us like that. I remember we ran out of all the discs we had that night. Really great feeling.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
That’s a tough one–but I vividly remember seeing Pearl Jam for the first time in ’98 at the arena in my hometown (Birmingham). They walked out one at a time casting a shadow on the backdrop. Eddie came out last and stood there a little longer than everyone else. I’ve never heard a crowd that loud in my life. Still gives me chill bumps thinking about it.
Gig you would most like to play?
I’ve always said ‘The Garden would be the ultimate’. But the truth is I don’t know. I imagine the amount of chaos that surrounds an act that can fill up that room is a bit emotionally overwhelming. Not to mention that every star in the entire universe would have to align to get an act to that level these days. How bout we just start with Center Stage? 🙂 Seems like a reasonable goal to me.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
For the rock thing: Me, Foo Fighters, & The Boss. Fantasy land, I know.
For the folky thing: Me, The Civil Wars, & Needtobreathe. It’s always more fun being on the bill with your friends w/ a crew you know and respect. Those two acts are both top notch on all fronts. You never know–maybe someday it’ll unfold.
Catch Matthew Mayfield TONIGHT May 11th at Vinyl.
