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Eric · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

Last night I saw Matthew Ryan perform in a tiny venue about the size of a diner or coffee shop. I’ve always wanted to see him sing but it’s not easy being a fan from the west coast. His shows are always several plane tickets, hotel rooms, days off from work and a small fortune away from me. But, despite all of that, I still find myself routinely visiting his website, daydreaming about being able to make a show someday; that is until a few days ago when he posted a blog about an upcoming show in Los Angeles. Los Angeles! Hollywood to be exact – in a little place called the Hotel Café. I couldn’t believe it. Like any fan would, I burned a couple of vacation days, gassed up the car and made a beeline for LA.

The scene at the Hotel Café is like something out of a Quentin Tarantino film. Wedged between parking garages, it can only be entered through a back alley. The walls outside are plastered with posters and flyers and graffiti. I try never to travel the alleys of Los Angeles but for this event I’d have done much worse. Behind the building were a few people smoking and talking shop about trying to ‘make it’ in the business – whatever that business may be. The inside was old and probably never intended to be place for musicians to play live. From floor to ceiling and wall to wall the décor was a hodgepodge of styles and colors and well aged and yet apropos.

I moved through the people and the place trying to take it all in. I’m not good at guessing but I’d say there may have been little more than a hundred people in attendance. You could hold up one wall with your back and almost make out conversations on the other side of the room. There were several other singers performing on stage throughout the night but I could only hear one voice in my head. Time passed in a haze as I wondered what songs I would get to hear. I tried to imagine how some of my favorite songs might sound without a band behind the singer.

Ten O’clock came and went. The musician who was scheduled at nine was going extra innings. Yeah, I was irritated. Fifteen minutes later she finished and the moment I’d been waiting for finally arrived. Matthew stepped on stage with one guitar and a harmonica. I couldn’t help but think that the people who remained that weren’t already fans had no idea what they were in for – I was absolutely right.

He plugged in, cleared his throat, smiled wryly and started to play. He sounded exactly the way I’d hoped he would. Then, after a couple of songs, he did something I’ve never seen before. He unplugged, dismissed the guy at the sound board and stepped down to play amongst us. It was like having Matthew Ryan stop by your house and pull up a chair in your living room to play just for you! He had us gather around him and sing with him. I’m too embarrassed to say what I paid to see him but suffice it to say that the experience was truly priceless.

He drank with us, joked with us, played for us and we sang with him. It was obvious from the way people were shouting out song requests that nobody wanted the night to end. The last song he sang was perhaps the one that will stay with me the longest. With the slightest apprehension he gave us ‘For Blue Skies’. He quickly organized two ladies to sing chorus and told us that the song was for his brother. He sang it from the heart. We sang it with him - off pitch, and poorly timed but it was beautiful. The energy was magical. The expressions on every face told the story. For a few brief moments of our lives we were all somehow connected. If that sounds strange to read then you’ll understand that it’s strange for me to write it; but that’s the way it was nevertheless.

So now it’s the next day and I haven’t slept much. The songs in my head won’t quit playing. It’s hard to believe that I have let so many opportunities to see him play pass me by. After last night a plane ticket, hotel room and expenses don’t seem like such an obstacle anymore. Perhaps by some trick of fate the stars lined up for a small room full of people and we were all moved by it. If you’ve seen him before then I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. If you’ve never seen a Matthew Ryan show then run, fly, swim or stagger to the very next one – you’ll love yourself for it.

angie · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Midland

Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing that story. It made me extremely angry at myself for not selling something for the money to make Austin last month.

I've been fortunate enough to catch him twice and can completely understand the feelings you described. Once in 1997 in Oklahoma City and once in 2000 (or was it 2001) in Dallas when he opened for Steve Earle. It's been way too long and I truly hope I'm able to catch another show someday soon. I keep all my fingers and toes crossed in hopes of a show close to home (west Texas). They're starting to cramp a little but I'm not giving up hope just yet. Smile

If you have more pictures, please share them!
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ccrider · Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 28

Thanks so much, Eric, for the report! I just checked back to see if anyone had replied to my thread asking about the show, and there you were!

That sounds like such a great experience--I hope it was for Matthew, as well!

I am just loving this man's music, and I really hope to have the chance to see him perform live, hopefully in 2008.

Thanks again! Cool

pchay · Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Eric,
I was there too; you are right on when you call it a priceless experience. Just to see a favorite artist in a small environment is a treat; to have it stripped down as though it was a campfire singalong in your living room is a whole other realm. Even the nuanced noises (glasses clanking, horns outside honking, etc) enhanced it that much more, and didn't hinder Matthew's performance at all. Can't wait to see the full band show when they come back, but that was an unforgettable night last night.

Eric · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

I only wish you could see all the detail that are in the full size versions. Enjoy

ljcdad · Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 6

the recent tours have been so awesome.

The total acoustic set thing is cool and i wished i could see it, but he did a bit at the Ark at Ann Arbor where he wlaked the room and asked for request and sang it at your seat. It was the bestThat was fucking cool.

your still missing out because the live show with a band is great too. Molly's cool, lex jams and the whole band is supertight.

arlyn09 · Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 1

There were several other singers performing on stage throughout the night but I could only hear one voice in my head. Time passed in a haze as I wondered what songs I would get to hear. I tried to imagine how some of my favorite songs might sound without a band behind the singer.

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valeriek · Joined: 21 Oct 2010 Posts: 1

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