Matt North

Bullies In The Backyard,” North’s second LP, features 10 songs written under the cloud of a seven-year lawsuit Matt’s family ultimately won against Nashville Public Schools due to violations against his son’s special needs. The Federal Court verdict changed precedents and now benefits families nationwide facing similar challenges.

No, it’s not 10 songs about special education, but with no work in sight for recording or live shows due to Covid, Matt enlisted himself at Nashville’s Home Depot to support his family and spent the rest of his time recording “Bullies In The Backyard” in his home studio. Just like Guy Patterson in the iconic film “That Thing You Do,” Matt found himself selling appliances when he’d rather be drumming. Mixed by Grammy-winning producer, Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Wilco, Los Lobos) and mastered by Pete Lyman (Tom Waits, Chris Stapleton, Weezer), the record features appearances from Jonny Polonsky and Jesse DeNatale alongside Matt’s core band of Nashville A-listers:

Stuart Mathis (Lucinda Williams, The Wallflowers) – guitars Chris Donohue (Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris) – bass Michael Webb (John Fogerty, Chris Stapleton) – keyboards

 

North grew up playing gigs in Champaign, Illinois; starting as a teenager drumming with the late Jay Bennett of Wilco and Coltrane bassist, Rafael Garrett. He dropped out of The University of North Texas in 1990, forfeiting his music scholarship to join the University of Illinois Jazz Band for a tour of Russia alongside bassist, Viktor Krauss (Lyle Lovett, Indigo Girls). Moving to San Francisco, he worked as a fact-checker for Mother Jones Magazine, played in garage bands, and wound up roommates with comedians Patton Oswalt and Mitch Hedberg in the Haight for some two years. At 26, North was signed as a writer to the William Morris Agency by manager, Dave Becky, whose roster included Marc Maron, Louis C.K., Dave Attell, and Chris Rock. Matt moved to Los Angeles, and began composing songs, answering “Drummer Wanted” ads, and writing a screenplay, Best Western; the latter won multiple awards, and led to regular work as a story analyst – a skill he’s transferred into songwriting. In 2000, North starred opposite James Woods in the Golden Globe-winner “Dirty Pictures” directed by Frank Pierson (writer of Cool Hand Luke, Dog Day Afternoon) was soon hired by Larry David to guest star in “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Matt’s chief focus remained on producing music and raising his son who was born with learning challenges due to a rare chromosomal disease. During his time in Los Angeles and Nashville he performed live and recorded with the following:

 

Matt's Info

http://www.mattnorth.net

/https://mattnorthofficial.bandcamp.com/releases