Matt Nakoa
Brooklyn, NY | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
Music
Press
“... Nakoa does not disappoint. Actually, between his piano chops, charismatic stage presence, and heartfelt originals on guitar [...] he drops jaws.” - The Boston Globe -
"Matt Nakoa is a musical adept, one of those well kept secrets you just can’t help but celebrate: intimate and genuine, soulful and bittersweet, a rich poetic songbook sung in praise to a complicated, emotionally present world." - CoverLayDown.com -
"Matt is definitely on his way up. [...] I'm hoping he'll let me open for him when he's doing stadiums." - Folk Music Legend
"Our live 'Folkstage' artist was Matt Nakoa. All I can say is wow! The audience gave him a standing ovation, which is very rare on 'Folkstage'. Phenomenal high tenor voice, outstanding musicianship (especially on piano) and songs that grab the heart. He also knows how to work the audience. It truly was a rare evening. I predict Matt is going places." - WFMT Chicago
"Discovery of the Year: Matt Nakoa, a supremely gifted singer-songwriter-guitarist-pianist ... " - John Platt, WFUV. - John Platt WFUV Radio - NYC
“Matt Nakoa brings a certain joyful fire to performing and songwriting. Completely at ease in his own skin, Nakoa’s on-stage persona appears exactly as he is: ready to take on the world.” - Winter 2014 Issue
"You Are My Moonshine". Such a beautiful melody ... Matt reminded me immediately of Paul McCartney & his guitar playing is truly lovely. Go check him out, you will be moved! - Singer/Songwriter, Producer, Founder of MPress Records.
"His command of the musical environment (playing, writing, stage presence) is wonderful." - Singer-Songwriter, Educator
"Of the contemporary works, one of the standouts is Matt Nakoa’s "Saperavi," a lyrical, Italianate work with a dazzling cadenza that provides a refreshing contrast to some of the spikier selections."
-From a review of pianist David Aladashvili's "Opus 13" album, for which Matt Nakoa composed a piano piece, "Saperavi". - Ronni Reich, entertainment writer
"When I first heard Matt Nakoa, I knew immediately that he is a force to be reckoned with. With talent, charm, charisma, and great music, he is at ease with his audience and always gives his two hundred percent." - Concert Pianist, Recording Artist, President of LP Classics
"[Matt Nakoa] manipulates the piano as though it were an extension of himself. There’s a phrase in acting courses about “not pushing” when you’re onstage, in order to make the audience lean forward in their seats as opposed to sitting back. That’s what Matt does.”
“Something about the way Matt spins the go-to requests makes it seem like he’s commenting on them and feeding the crowd a little more than what they asked for. They’re hooked on it, whatever he’s got.” - Zoe V. Speas, writer
Matt Nakoa is one of the few artists whose CDs makes me go "HOLY SHIT"... in a good way.
“'A Dozen Other Loves' fills me with an absolutely delicious sense of joy."
"[Matt Nakoa] in general, is everything a rock star ought to be except truly famous. He’s even a nice guy."
"[Light In The Dark] is one of my favourite discs of EVER." - Member of ILYAIMY, Maryland concert promoter.
"Matt is the real deal." - Broadway Actor & Director, Founder of District Stage Company
"[Matt] never ceases to amaze me ... [he] will always be one of my favorite artists, period." - Singer/Songwriter
Discography
A Dozen Other Loves (2014)
Light In The Dark (2012)
Photos
Bio
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 NYC’s vibrant piano bar scene. There he quickly became a star performer at Manhattan’s famous Brandy’s Piano Bar, with lines waiting outside the door each Saturday night.
As if illustrating two sides of himself, Matt’s 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 Festival’s prestigious New Folk Competition. Though not easily pinned down, “In sum,” as a recent review put it, "Matt Nakoa is a musical adept, one of those well kept secrets you just can’t help but celebrate: intimate and genuine, soulful and bittersweet, a rich poetic songbook sung in praise to a complicated, emotionally present world."
Band Members
Links
