Folk Bands and Artists
Crys Matthews
DC resident Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers — an award-winning, prolific lyricist and composer, blending Americana, folk, blues, bluegrass, and funk into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. She’s made for these times across America. 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.” Justin Hiltner of Bluegrass Situation adds, her gift is a “reminder of what beauty can occur when we bridge those divides.”
Matthews was introduced to the national stage in 2013 through strong performances in song contests and wide radio play. She cemented her acclaim at Lincoln Center as the 2017 NewSong Music and Performance Competition grand prize winner and winner of the People’s Music Network’s Social Justice Songs contest at the 2017 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance. That year she also released two new collections — her album called The Imagineers of thoughtful songs on love and life, and her EP called Battle Hymn for an Army of Lovers which tackles social justice themes. Loyal fans have quickly followed, and she racks up performances at large music festivals and prestigious venues across the country including the Sundance Film Festival, and locally The Birchmere, The Hamilton, Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, and Jammin’ Java. Last year her newest album release These Old Hands captured the attention of Folk DJs and finished out the year in Folk Alley’s Fan Favorite Top Ten of 2019. This June, Matthews and collaborator Heather Mae completed their national “Singing Out Tour”, switching to virtual with the outbreak of Covid-19, promoting big loud love in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month. Coming up this winter, Matthews has her sights on release of a full-length social-justice album called Changemakers.
Crys Matthews’s thoughtful, realistic and emotional songs speak to the voice of our generation and remind us why music indeed soothes the soul.
