Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
San Francisco newcomers, Matt Jaffe and the Distractions, may not yet be a household name or great award winning DJs like Carl Cox or Armin van Buuren. Having recently launched their debut EP, Blast Off, the band is currently on tour in direct support of Blues Traveler (dates below). With a sound heavily inspired by 70’s punk and power pop, the young act is comprised of founder and vocalist Matt Jaffe, and band members Alex Newel on guitar, bassist Paul Paldino and drummer Alex Coltharp. Together they more than held their own in front of a hungry crowd at NYC’s Irving Plaza.
Jaffe’s sound is certainly eclectic, completely unexpected, and undeniably catchy–an effervescent marriage of punk-rock hooks and funky, rockabilly melodies. You’ll find nothing else like it in mainstream today, but it’s not an accident. The twenty-year-old frontman wears his influences on his sleeve, summoning cues from The Clash, Bob Dylan and Talking Heads, to whom he pays homage in the music video “New Continent.” Jaffe exudes an effortless James Dean vibe with a stage presence reminiscent of Young Americans-era David Bowie. The latter in particular during a vibrant performance of the tongue-in-cheek “Stoned On Easter.”
Jaffe was only 14 when he collided paths with ex-Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison at an open-mic night in San Francisco. He spent the next six years fine-tuning what would eventually launch a promising young career. Boasting an impressive online following thanks to relentless local touring throughout California, this opening slot on Blues Traveler’s bill is only the beginning. Matt Jaffe and The Distractions are currently working on a debut full-length album. You can listen to “Holding On” off the upcoming album below:
Check out some of our shots from Matt Jaffe’s performance at Irving Plaza and be sure to catch them on tour with Blues Traveler this fall!
Tour Dates:
09/08 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
09/09 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
09/11- Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore
09/22 – New Orleans, LA @ Civic Theatre New Orleans
09/24 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
09/25 – Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
09/26 – Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
09/28 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
09/29 – Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note
10/01 – Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City Nights
10/02 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom
10/03 – Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
10/06 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
10/07 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory Concert House
10/08 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Concert House
10/10 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
10/11 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
10/15 – San Francisco, CA @ The Filmore
10/16 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
10/17 – Temecula, CA @ Golden Crown
10/19 – Anaheim, CA @ House Of Blues
10/21 – Scottsdale, AZ @ Livewire
10/22 – Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl
For more info visit:
http://www.mattjaffemusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/mattjaffemusic
https://twitter.com/mattjaffemusic
