The Geek Sheet
I call myself a piano rocker, but I’m really just kind of a goofball. I’ve been playing the piano since age 5, discovered electronic music at 12, and made this stuff my career in 1999. Since then I’ve played at the Grand Ole Opry, been quoted in Rolling Stone, and made a name for myself in new media circles. I’ve been able to play piano rock full-time since 2007 and since then I’ve never looked back.
People tell me that they’re fans because I write some funny stuff, some emotionally charged stuff, and I tend to experiment with my sound a lot. I’ll take their word for it, but you can find out for yourself by listening to the music or watching the videos below. All I know is that I like to get on stage and have a good time, getting the crowd involved whenever possible.
Music
I Wish I Were
Since my next project is an album based on an original sci-fi adventure story, this is probably your best place to start listening. This is a sneak preview from The Lives of Dexter Peterson that involves everything from Harry Potter to Han Solo to Zaphod Beeblebrox.
Everybody Needs A Ninja
Probably my best-known song from my 2007 album Goodbye Planet Earth, this one’s self explanatory: Everybody Needs A Ninja. This song also inspired a 100% fan-made YouTube video featuring martial arts antics and ninjas in boxer shorts. No, seriously.
I Blame The Spy
From my 2010 release Songs from the Vault, vol. 2, this song was dedicated to my nefarious, backstabbing, and thankfully flammable nemeses from the video game Team Fortress 2: The Spies. As I usually played an Engineer, I decided to make it as Johnny Cash as I possibly could.
The 12 Days of Christmas in Space
Like all Christmas albums, mine had to include the usual staples: robots, starships, enormous space sharks, and really bad jokes. More than just a collection of songs, The High Orbit Holiday Special is a fully-produced radio drama that, as of yet, George Lucas has not sent me angry letters for.
Performance Videos
More videos available at www.youtube.com/matthewebel
Photos
Venues I’ve Played
Center Stage
- The Roxy – Boston, MA
VON 2007 VIP Party - David L. Lawrence Convention Center – Pittsburgh, PA
Anthrocon 2010, 2012 - San Jose Convention Center – San Jose, CA
Further Confusion 2012, Guest of Honor - Ontario Convention Center – Ontario, CA
Portable Media Expo 2007 - The Metropolitan Performing Arts Center – Spokane, WA
Lilac Festival Variety Show 1992-2001 - Bard College
- North Country Community College
- The Hilton Atlanta – Atlanta, GA
FWA 2008-2010, Guest of Honor 2009 - The Sheraton Atlanta – Atlanta, GA
FWA 2011 - The Hotel ML – Mt. Laurel, NJ
FA:United 2010, 2011 - Radisson WorldGate Orlando – Orlando, FL
Megaplex 2009, 2010 - Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk – Jacksonville, FL
Megaplex 2008 - Hyatt Regency O’Hare – Rosemont, IL
MFF 2010 - Crowne Plaza Hotel – Addison, TX
Furry Fiesta 2011 - Antheria – Los Angeles, CA
Performer/Speaker 2010, 2011 - AS220 – Providence, RI
- Ballard’s Inn – Block Island, RI
As The Nashville Duo - The Big Bang – Nashville, TN
- The Bluebird Café – Nashville, TN
- All Asia – Boston, MA
- The French Quarter Café – Nashville, TN
- The Lizard Lounge – Cambridge, MA
- Midway Café – Jamaica Plain, MA
- Sambuca – Nashville, TN
- Unums – Nashua, NH
- There Video Lounge – Pittsburgh, PA
Backing Keyboardist/Vocalist
- The Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, TN
With Billy Currington - The Flying Saucer – Nashville, TN
With The Peter Moon Band - Opryland Hotel – Nashville, TN
With The Peter Moon Band
Speaking Engagements
- 140 Characters Conference NYC – Manhattan, NY
Performer/Speaker 2010, 2011 - 140 Characters Conference Boston – Boston, MA
Speaker 2010 - Podcamp Boston – Boston, MA
Performer/Speaker 2007, 2009, 2010 - Podcamp New York – Brooklyn, NY
Performer/Speaker 2008 - Podcamp Philly – Philadelphia, PA
Speaker 2008, 2009
Quotes & Reviews
“Pandora is the first true music meritocracy,” says independent musician Matthew Ebel (an artist likely to pop up in a Ben Folds Five station). “The fact that there is no fat guy in a ponytail and suit in Chicago determining what 20 songs they are going to play is a huge thing.”
Rolling Stone, Feb. 17 2011 – Cover | Page 1 | Page 2
In 2004, [Adam] Curry created one of the earliest podcasts, “The Daily Source Code.” Ebel’s music was featured. The podcast world embraced him, Curry says, and now that audience watches Ebel’s weekly concerts. While big artists like Snoop Dog and the Jonas Brothers are also using UStream, Curry calls Ebel a pioneer for creating an immersive experience for fans.
Andrea Shea, WBUR – Hear The Interview
Matthew is the type of artist I refer to in my book as a “Builder” meaning Matthew is constantly pushing his career forward using not only musical innovation but also technology.
Ariel Hyatt, MusicThinkTank.com
Getting out on the road to build an audience is a constant struggle for the average indie artist… But what if you could take your show around the world without moving a single guitar amp or eating another drive- thru meal? Now you can! Indie artists like Matthew Ebel have harnessed the power of online services like UStream to accomplish just that.
Kevin Breuner, CD Baby DIY Podcast
Calling a musician an entertainer seems redundant, but donʼt be fooled: Ebel is a performerʼs performer, a showman onstage and off. I purchased no fewer than four copies of his latest album, and got friends to buy the rest of what he had on him…Matthew has a future, and I hope he remembers me when heʼs selling out arenas.
Chris Brogan, LinkedIn Recommendation
His catchy hooks, comical lyrics and deep soulful piano playing will have his songs stuck in your head from the first listening…this album is a must have.
CC Chapman, iTunes Customer Review
The growth of social networking— from podcasting networks to MySpace, Facebook and Second Lifeʼs virtual-reality socializing —is, in the eyes of techie indie musicians like Ebel, shifting the music-business model ‘for the benefit of the independent performer.’ It works best, Ebel says, ‘if you stay on top of it.’
Nicole Keiper, The Tennessean
…we looked at Matthew Ebel, whose experiments with giving fans a subscription service that provides new music and additional opportunities for access are working quite well. In that case, he’s obviously using access, authenticity and exclusivity along with belonging and patronage.
Mike Masnick, TechDirt.com
