Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Lefler.
Hi Matt, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I started playing when I was 14 years old. My uncle was considered one of the best rock guitarists in Michigan in the last 70s and 80s. He was an incredible player and lived near Traverse City, MI. As a kid, I loved watching him play live whenever I could. I would ask him to play some guitar for me at family get-togethers. I just loved it. He helped me pick out my first guitar. He then ensured I was on track with lessons and helped me progress. He would spend hours with me jamming. I reflect on it now and realize what an incredible experience it was. I was extremely fortunate to have someone care about my playing as much as he did. He was always patient and encouraging. When I started playing, 80s metal was all the rage. I wanted to play that until one day, during a guitar lesson, my teacher started playing some blues riffs, and I was hooked. From that point on, I was different from most of my peers. I was more interested in expressing myself as a musician and playing for the music than advancing technically. I focused on conveying my emotions rather than being the fastest player. I love seeing virtuoso players, but that was different from my path. That mindset led me to sing as well. It’s all about expression.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It could have been a smoother road. There have been many bumps along the way. My parents divorced when I was 9. My mother and I moved around a lot. I bought my first guitar with money I made as a busboy at a local restaurant. I paid for my lessons and clothes, too. After a couple of years, I became discouraged because some of my friends and peers had their parents buying them new instruments, and I was still playing the same stuff. It was a very teenage mentality. When I moved out at 18, my amp got damaged, and I only had an electric guitar. I didn’t play much for a couple of years. It was like that for the next 10 years. I would go in and out of playing until I finally bought an acoustic guitar I liked. That acoustic guitar was a savior, and meeting the person who became my spouse in 1999. She supported me like my uncle and encouraged me to follow my passions. More bumps happened when we had to move out of the country. My wife is Canadian. We moved in with family, and I immigrated to Canada. My in-law’s home was not a suitable place for me to practice much, plus singing can get pretty loud. Finally, life stabilized in the United States in the mid-2000s, and I could focus on playing. It was around then that I met a lifelong friend and classical pianist. We started writing music, and I began to hone in on a style that was mine. I was surprised that people enjoyed my music.
Thanks for sharing that. So, tell us more about your work next.
When we moved to the Twin Cities in July of 2022, my wife encouraged me to focus on being a gigging musician. I made a website and marketed myself by driving to places, introducing myself, and handing out business cards. That first year, I had 36 gigs. I’m a cover musician who throws in a couple of original songs most nights. I generally play a mix of things from the 60s to the 2010s. There’s a strong focus on music from the 80s and 90s. I’m currently putting together a 90s acoustic cover band. I’m excited about that project.
In the future, I plan to work with Erik Koskinen and do some recording at his studio in Cleveland, MN. I call my style “emotional Americana.” It mixes rock, blues, and some jazz elements. I tend to write emotional songs. Sometimes, I’m embarrassed by how dramatic some of my music is, especially in middle age. People often tell me how much they enjoy my singing; they are surprised by my range, especially as I advance into middle age. I’m incredibly grateful people appreciate and can relate to what I do. That always blows me away. When I was younger, I never thought I could make a go at this. Lately, I’ve started running professional Dungeons and Dragons games online for RPG Club. That has been a fun project, too.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I love working with other people. Some of my favorite moments in life have come playing music with other musicians. There’s nothing like finding that groove and working with it until something special happens. I’m available for collaborations and music projects. Feel free to contact me (my website is listed below). I’m at a life stage where I am both a guitarist and a singer; I’m not willing to do one without the other anymore. I’m passionate about both, and they both bring me joy. People can support me by visiting my website, mattlefler.com, and my gigs. If they like what I do, they recommend me to other places. Word of mouth is a great way to market and support someone. I will start a mailing list soon, and people can join us for updates about upcoming gigs and projects. www.mattlefler.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mattlefler.com
- Instagram: mattleflermusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morrisson66/
Image Credits
Matt Lefler
