Matthew Hansen

"Fearlessly navigating the borders of blues, rock, soul, funk, pop and 90's hip hop and R&B, Matthew Hansen defiantly eschews categorization of his music into a particular genre. Evocative and clever songwriting paired with explosive, guitar-laden melodies are perhaps the only two consistencies that one can pin to Hansen. His music reflects a stream of influences that he explores in able to continually redefine how he is represented inside popular music formats. Pairing that with visceral and dynamic singing and a truly spontaneous, 'all bets are off' performance style which sees Hansen effortlessly swing between a full band, a two-piece outfit a la The White Stripes or completely solo with his electric guitar, proves Hansen a truly captivating, in-your-face showman and performer. A Berkeley native and Oakland resident, Hansen has continued to master his self-proclaimed crafts of songwriting and guitar and consistently mesmerize Bay Area audiences with his electric live performances since 2005. He has had the good fortune to share the stage with local talents and friends such as Dave Rude of the band Tesla, Bay Area blues legend Tommy Castro and former Black Crows guitarist Marc Ford. Hansen lives by the notion that spontaneity and experimentation connect his message best with those watching and listening. While Hansen has thoughtfully and skillfully recorded singles that he has written, composed, mixed and mastered himself, he is an artist whose alchemy is best experienced live.”

Nice Things to say:

"This guy is powerful! It's rare these days to find such a dynamic show, Hansen takes you with him wherever he wants to go...he becomes electric energy while he's on stage...truly meant to entertain and perform" - Jaeger Hansen, DJ on 107.7 The Bone

MATTHEW HANSEN – FORGET YOUR NAME: BLUES ROCK THAT WILL STEAL PART OF YOUR SOUL BEFORE THE SECOND VERSE

With this track Matthew Hansen encapsulated the same kind of electricity as exuded by acts such as Franz Ferdinand and that’s a pretty rare feat. God knows many Rock acts have tried and failed. But his palpable, almost God-like aural alchemy will have you hooked on his sound before you even get to the second verse.

Mid way through the track, it breaks down under the funk addled bass line and layers upon layers of raucously orchestrated cacophonic sound. Forget Your Name is an offering of pure Rock bliss that any self-respecting audiophile will love, it’s even home to some of the dirtiest riffs and organ playing I’ve heard outside of a Jim Jones Revue track.

To say I’m now a little besotted with Oakland based artist Hansen would be a bit of an understatement. Get on the hype, and check out his stunning track Forget Your Name on SoundCloud using the link below:

Review by Amelia Vandergast @ A&R Factory

Venues PLAYED

Shoreline Amphitheater - Mountain View, The Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, Slims - San Francisco, Cafe Nu Nord - San Francisco, The Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, Red Devil Lounge - San Francisco, Boom Boom Room - San Francisco (Held Residency), The New Parish - Oakland, 330 Rich (popscene) - San Francisco, The Ivy Room - Albany, Blakes - Berkeley, The Starry Plough - Berkeley, Leo’s - Berkeley, Ashkenaz - Berkeley, Becketts - Berkeley, The Subterranean - Berkeley, Oakland Metro - Oakland, The Uptown - Oakland, The Stork Club - Oakland, Eli’s Mile High Club - Oakland, Kimball’s Carnival - Jack London Square, The Hotel Utah - San Francisco, The Royale - San Francisco, El Rio - San Francisco, Pier 23 - San Francisco, Broadway studios - San Francisco, Doc’s Lab - San Francisco, 12 Galaxies - San Francisco, The Lost Church - San Francisco, Irelands 32 - San Francisco, Thee Parkside - San Francisco, Elbo Room - San Francisco, Bazaar cafe - San Francisco, Grant & Green - San Francisco, The Canvas - San Francisco, 4th street tavern - San rafael, The Sweetwater - Mill Valley, Sweetwater Station (Larkspur theater) - Larkspur, Peri’s - Fairfax, 19 Broadway - Fairfax, Sleeping Lady - Fairfax, Red House - Concord, Cue Productions - Concord, The Bistro - Hayward, The Grange - Napa, Bilcos - Napa, Goose Island - Chicago, Elbo Room - Chicago, Silvies - Chicago

SHARED THE STAGE WITH;

Dave Rude (Tesla)

Tommy Castro

Ron Thompson

Roy Rogers

Tyler Bryant

Dan Vickrey (Counting Crows)

Marc Ford (Black Crows)

FESTiVaLS ETC.

San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Run - San Francisco

Todos Santos Park Festavel - Concord

Telegraph Ave. Summer Festavel - Berkeley

Montclair Big Day Out - Montclair

Martinez vintage car show - Martinez

Relay For Life Benefit - Novato