Krissy Matthews releases new single and video for ‘Carry You’
16 September 2022
Newsdesk
Described as “one of the most promising artists on the blues-rock scene” by Cream lyricist Pete Brown, British-Norwegian guitarist and bandleader, Krissy Matthews releases his new single, ‘Carry You’. Taken from his album ‘Pizza Man Blues’ (on Ruf Records), the single is released today, Friday 16th September and is accompanied by a brand-new video of the band performing the track, with gusto.
‘Carry You’ is a rock song which Krissy wrote with his bass player, Josh Rigal, and it’s a song that holds particular personal significance and resonance for him.
“We were in the rehearsal room in 2020, practicing some new songs to record my latest Ruf Records release PIZZA MAN BLUES,” Krissy recalls, “and the bass player Josh Rigal played this chorus idea. I loved it and he explained to me it was about a friend of his who was terminally ill. At the time, my best friend’s mother — whom I called my second mother — was terminally ill with motor neurone disease, so I could relate to this.
“The lyrics in ‘Carry You’ say “If you can't walk, and if you can't talk” — this hit me right away: My second mother literally could not do that anymore, and she has since passed away.
“So, we took the song, worked on it and recorded it. Over the last bunch of shows, it has been getting the best response with many people singing along at the end of it. So, I decided to get the guys together, make a music video for it and hopefully give the song the attention that it deserves. And I would like the chance for more people to hear it. Maybe they have a loved one who is terminally ill and can relate.”
Krissy Matthews, who’s been active as a guitarist from childhood and honed his craft, learning from and performing with top-tier talent, like B.B. King, has his own unique and distinctive sound and style. In the words of Howlin’ Wolf’s fabled sideman, Hubert Sumlin: “Oh boy, this kid can play…” That’s evident on the finger-twist lick of ‘Carry You’, and Krissy sings the cascading harmony chorus with sincere feeling.
He’s built both a solo career, fronting the Krissy Matthews Band, and for the last 7 years has been a full-time featured member of legendary German outfit Hamburg Blues Band, alongside great singers such as Chris Farlowe, Arthur Brown and Maggie Bell.
The Krissy Matthews Band’s live show — with Felix Dehmel on Drums and Josh Rigal on Bass — has built an enviable rep for providing spectacular journey full of great songs, musicianship and energy. The band has performed thousands of shows across the world, sharing the stage with stars of the likes of Toto, Graveyard, Joe Bonamassa, Gregg Allman, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Beth Hart and Joe Satriani.
Krissy signed to legendary German label Ruf Records last year and released his last album ‘Pizza Man Blues’, written during lockdown. The songs he laid down at Buckingham’s Echo Studios last September are inspired directly from the younger musician’s life and blur genres from rock, soul and blues to country, folk and indie.
“I wanted a ‘Krissy Matthews’ vibe to this album,” Krissy shrugs. “I don’t like to box myself into restrictions of where I can and can’t go, so I just write and see what happens. This was the result.”
“‘Pizza Man Blues’ is a snapshot of the moment those certainties were snatched away, with songs that tell of watching the life you knew torn down, then building it back and seeing things clearer as a result. “This last year, we’ve all had to adapt to circumstances,” he reflects. “I’ve been forced off the road, but I’ve tried to keep the engine alive, keep earning, not lose my passion. I’ve done so many jobs, like pizza and flower delivery driver, tree surgeon assistant, volunteering for the NHS. These songs are all about the experiences I’ve had.”
If you’ve a hankering for fresh new blues-rock talent, with skills and a unique style, check out Krissy Matthews’ latest, feeling-filled single ‘Carry You’ and its vibrant parent album ‘Pizza Man Blues’.
Carry You is now available on all digital platforms here.
Live shows October 09 Carlisle Blues Rock Festival, UK November 26 The Bear Club, Luton, UK 28 Temperance, Leamington Spa. UK 29 Tuesday Night Music Club, Coulsdon, UK December 21 The Bullingdon, Oxford, UK
