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Event
Matt Nakoa and Kirsten Maxwell at the me and thee
MATT NAKOA is an internationally touring singer/songwriter, recently appearing at The White House, throughout India, and regularly with folk icon Tom Rush. Growing up on a small goat farm in rural NY State, Matt discovered music as a means of teenage escape and trained to be a concert pianist. Matt was ultimately accepted as a vocalist to Berklee College of Music where he studied alongside soon-to-be Grammy winners St. Vincent and Esperanza Spalding among others. After school, Matt landed in NYCs vibrant piano bar scene. There he quickly became a star performer at Manhattans famous Brandys Piano Bar, with lines waiting outside the door each Saturday night.
As if illustrating two sides of himself, Matts first album, Light In The Dark (2012), is a sweeping pop opus, while A Dozen Other Loves (2014) explores an intimate acoustic palette. Across the board his song craft has garnered awards, including a win at Kerrville Folk Festivals prestigious New Folk Competition. Though not easily pinned down, In sum, as a recent review on CoverLayDown.com put it, "Matt Nakoa is a musical adept, one of those well kept secrets you just cant help but celebrate: intimate and genuine, soulful and bittersweet, a rich poetic songbook sung in praise to a complicated, emotionally present world."
Nakoa does not disappoint. Actually, between his piano chops, charismatic stage presence, and heartfelt originals on guitarhe drops jaws. Boston Globe
All I can say is wow! Phenomenal high tenor voice, outstanding musicianship and songs that grab the heart. He also knows how to work the audience. I predict Matt is going places.
Rich Warren, WFMT Chicago
Matt is definitely on his way up. Im hoping hell let me open for him when hes doing stadiums.
Tom Rush
Matt Nakoa manipulates the piano as though it were an extension of himself. Theres a phrase in acting course about not pushing when youre on stage, in order to make the audience lean forward in their seats as opposed to sitting back. Thats what Matt does.
Black Box Arts Blog.
KIRSTEN MAXWELL has made great strides since diving head first into her career. She first stepped onto the stage at age 5 at a small opera house in NYC. Kirsten would perform there up until High School where her focus shifted to musical theater. Simultaneously, she started learning guitar and writing her own songs. Kirsten graduated from College in 2014 with a degree in Creative Writing and a new love folk music.
Today, Kirsten is often compared to Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Joni Mitchell. I never thought Id ever hear a voice as angelic and mesmerizing as I did when I first started listening to Joan Baez some 50 years ago, but then I heard the voice, the songs and melodies of Kirsten Maxwell, says Jon Stein, host of Hootenanny Café on WTBQ.
However, Kirstens appeal goes well-beyond her vocal abilities. She gives everything to her live performances and has been described as making love to the audience. Although her self-taught guitar chops are minimal, she plays with such delicacy and taste that the guitar seems to be extension of her body. Her delivery creates a level of intimacy that welcomes new audiences in like old friends. With a quick wit and commanding stage presence, Kirsten gives the impression of being more accomplished than her 24 years.
In April 2015, she independently released her debut album, Crimson. It has been met with great success and fans await her highly anticipated EP, to be released this winter.
Awards &Accolades
Kerrville New Folk Finalist 2016
Winner of the South Florida Folk Festival Singer Songwriter Competition 2016
Official Showcase Artist at the South East Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Conference 2016
Official Showcase Artist at the South West Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) Conference 2016
TriCentric Showcase Artist at the North East Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference 2016
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist 2016
First place in a contest sponsored by the Rhode Island Songwriters Association (RISA) 2015
Selected for a coveted slot in the Suzi Wollenberg Folk DJ Showcase at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference 2015
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Locationme and thee coffeehouse (View)
28 Mugford St
Marblehead, MA 01945
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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