Oooh good idea. I’m Alex. I’m also 22, currently finishing up my English degree in Portland. During the summers, I work at a summer camp on Orcas Island, where I get to wander around, play with kids and play music. Occasionally I teach a guitar class. If all goes well, a year from now I’ll have saved up the money I need to get a work visa to New Zealand.

My best friend (who is pretty much solely responsible for any good music I know about, with the possible exception of Andrew Bird) is the reason I was listening to “Astair” during the summer of ‘06. Going to his concert that August had a pretty profound effect on how I feel about music in general. I don’t just listen to it as something good to pass the time. I’ve read things that Matt has said about how he learns about himself through the songs he writes and through singing them, and that’s something that was really apparently when I saw him play. He played for the sheer pleasure of the music as well as out of the desire to share with us what he had learned through the songs. I also love how he is able to address upsetting ideas in such an upbeat manner. I think that is what I love the most about his music, that he is, as I heard it put, “upbeat about being down.” It’s just what I need.

Hey !
I new on this forum so i take the opportunity to introduce myself !
I’m Mawie B. 22, from France. I ‘m studying Social Work in Strasbourg, a big city near to Germany. I listen to Matt Costa for a while now, but i have never seen i’m playing live. I just don’t know if he ever had come to France… Anyway, i keep hoping !
About the albums… I think I prefer Unfamiliar Faces, but maybe because i’ve listened to SWS so much, that i know every single note by heart. About the songs, Cold December, Yellow Taxi, Behind the Moon, Never Looking Back, Vienna, and Lilacs, Miss Magnolia… And i Love Lullaby, and The Road…

Well, might as well go ahead and get the basics out of the way right off the bat. I am a 23 year old male, I currently live and teach in nebraska. I guess I would have to thank Jack Johnson for introducing me to Matt Costa. First caught Matt on the Jack Johnson and friends DVD, first got hooked when i saw Matt’s performance of Astair on that DVD. Went out the next day and bought the Songs We Sing CD and opened my eyes and ears to the broader spectrum that comes with Matt’s music. It was initially the acoustic guitar in Astair that drew me in, but when I listened to that CD the first time in its entirety I loved how each song had its own sound, every song wasn’t a tweak of the song before. I attribute the creativitiy and originality of Matt Costa to my enjoyment in the his work, each song hits my emotions in their own little way, but definitely in the end, i am always in a better mood when I’ve had a little time to just listen to some Matt Costa for awhile. Would love to see Matt come out with a DVD sort of like Jack Johnson’s in a sense that with the songs being played, at times interviews are shown in which songs are explained, or random stories are told, i always enjoy hearing about the backings to music , where they are coming form, what was going on, what it caused, etc.. But yeah i went off on a tangent, sorry, haha, anyways, my all time favorite song would have to be Astair, but I have a lot of random things I pull form other songs that I enjoy or just put me in a random enjoyable mood. For instance, on Vienna, right away i see the color brown for some reason and then i just can’t help but to imagine a coffee house or jazz house type relaxed feeling, Yellow Taxi just makes me feel like i can slow down and relax maybe get away from things for a bit and recollect myself, I love the part on Mr. Pitiful when the clapping comes in, Miss Magnolia reminds me of New Orleans a little, or maybe just the south in general, but yeah I could go on forever but I will just cut my rambling off and give others a chance, haha. I Look forward to future conversations with all of you and find out a little more about everyones common interests and how Matt Costa has drawn us in here.

mimick - Mar 19, 2008 06:25am

Miss Magnolia reminds me of New Orleans a little, or maybe just the south in general, quote]

oh me too! I guess because the first time I heard it was in New Orleans at one of the two night stand shows. Everyone in the crowd and band was singing “la la la la” it was fantastic. loved it.

Names Daniel. I chain smoke. I am not too fond of gas prices. Music is me. I am not going to coachella because the line up is weak for the most part. I never win at carnival games. I live in Pasadena,CA. Formerly known as ‘the mexican”.

Hallo :) I’m shreya, from Vancouver, BC and I’m 16. I’ve been learning how to play the guitar for about a year now and I also play the alto sax. I guess I got introduced to matt’s music throught the AOL thing Matt and jack did about 2ish years ago. Matt’s music draws me in because, and I think someone already mentioned this here, he molds unhappy situations with upbeat music. Which is really cool. Annnd I’d love to meet him in about 3 years, when I can actually get into the 19+ shows, as he seems to be a really cool guy!

Daniel - Mar 19, 2008 10:18am

Names Daniel. I chain smoke. I am not too fond of gas prices. Music is me. I am not going to coachella because the line up is weak for the most part. I never win at carnival games. I live in Pasadena,CA. Formerly known as ‘the mexican”.

the mexican!

reunited!

Hi there.  I’m Kim.  I married a Costa… not “the” Costa, though.  I’m in my early 30’s and have a 2.5 year old son who also LOVES Matt.  It’s very cute to see him singing My Sweet Rose (which he calls “Mommy favorite”  lol).

I discovered him basically the same way mimick did.  Once I picked up the first album, I was hooked.  The tone of his voice, the variety of styles he uses in his songs, his lyrics… he’s really an amazing musician.

It was a really pleasant surprise to see him in NC earlier this month.  Most of the time, the studio versions of songs are polished and the live concerts are full of mistakes and off-key singing.  Not with Matt.  He’s even better live than on his album.

Nice to meet you all.

KACosta - Mar 20, 2008 09:50am

Hi there.  I’m Kim.  I married a Costa… not “the” Costa, though.  I’m in my early 30’s and have a 2.5 year old son who also LOVES Matt.  It’s very cute to see him singing My Sweet Rose (which he calls “Mommy favorite”  lol).

I discovered him basically the same way mimick did.  Once I picked up the first album, I was hooked.  The tone of his voice, the variety of styles he uses in his songs, his lyrics… he’s really an amazing musician.

It was a really pleasant surprise to see him in NC earlier this month.  Most of the time, the studio versions of songs are polished and the live concerts are full of mistakes and off-key singing.  Not with Matt.  He’s even better live than on his album.

Nice to meet you all.

Did you go to the Cary show in NC?
I was going to go, but I went and saw Tristan Prettyman and G.Love in Columbia, SC that night. Glad the show was good.
Thats something that always breaks my heart- when my favorite band has a show in my area and another musician who I really dig also has a show. That happened twice that week. Oh well- i’m sure they’ll all be touring again. hopefully it just won’t be another conflict.

KACosta - Mar 20, 2008 09:50am

Hi there.  I’m Kim.  I married a Costa… not “the” Costa, though.  I’m in my early 30’s and have a 2.5 year old son who also LOVES Matt.  It’s very cute to see him singing My Sweet Rose (which he calls “Mommy favorite”  lol).

I discovered him basically the same way mimick did.  Once I picked up the first album, I was hooked.  The tone of his voice, the variety of styles he uses in his songs, his lyrics… he’s really an amazing musician.

It was a really pleasant surprise to see him in NC earlier this month.  Most of the time, the studio versions of songs are polished and the live concerts are full of mistakes and off-key singing.  Not with Matt.  He’s even better live than on his album.

Nice to meet you all.

Hey! I was at the Carrborro show too! You should PM me we sound like we have a lot in common and maybe we can hit the next Matt show together! I just moved to NC with my hubby and 2 yo son and I don’t know anyone, so it’s always great to meet people with great taste in music!

well, i am an ‘old’ one too 31 and counting. i have been a fan of matt’s for about a year. i have 4 kids who love matt also, my oldest son,9, is learning to play the guitar, and loves listening to matt. i am glad that they listen to things outside of mainstream. i was wondering if any of you have seen any kids at the concerts. good to be here. happy easter!

Howdy folks.  I live in the city termed by good ole snoop dog, the LBC, hahaha.  I have a 3-year old girl who also adores Matt.  When she was around 18 months she used to dance to Sweet Rose all the time.  So, I guess there must be something about that song that kids like.  She was fortunate to meet him this year at his cd release show and went around for days saying, “I went to Matt’s concert”.  I came across Matt in the summer of ‘05 as he opened for Jack Johnson’s In Between Dreams tour.  His unique style quickly grabbed my attention and have been a fan since.  Guess that’s all for now. 

“The Mexican!!!!!!”

Yes, I saw him in Carrboro on 3/6. :)

Hey! I’m Sarah, and i’m probably too young to be posting on a forum, but i’m here anyway. I live in Alabama. I play the guitar, but not very well. I haven’t ever seen Matt Costa live, but I’m dying to. I belive in global warming and enjoy eating mashed potatoes. I have tendency to read way too much and spent too much time on the computer, especially on this site. i’m planning on majoring in anthropology or psychology, but i’ve got a while to think on that before i go off to collage.

hi, all! i’m not one to join forums - you might say i’m a “forum virgin” since this is my very first. please, do be gentle. :P

my name’s elaine, i just turned 25 and i live in toronto. i work for the public library and intern at a publishing house. i’m not a musician though i dabbled for a few years playing piano, drums and the sexy french horn. i just don’t have the talent and the discipline but i very much admire those who do. i started listening to matt costa after i saw he was a recommended artist while i was doing a search for jack-johnson-esque music. i was hooked after i heard ‘cold december’.

nice to meet you folks!