In this episode of IPR Studio One's "Java Blend," Iowa blues fixture Matt Woodswows a packed Java House with his versatile guitar work and powerful vocals.
Listen in below to hear host Ben Kieffer chat with Woods about his impressive day job and the genesis of his latest release, "Sawdust and Gasoline."
Matt Woods is both a native of Iowa, and a longstanding purveyor of its diverse blues scene. As a seasoned performer of many local, regional and national clubs and venues, Matt has developed a distinct style while staying true to his love of traditional American roots music. Woods is well-versed in the many shapes this music can take; from traditional delta, hill country and urban electric blues, to gospel, country and folk music.
Woods has been performing regularly since 2002 and has released 3 albums (one solo album, and two backed by his unparalleled band, The Thunderbolts). He has also won the Iowa Blues Challenge and gone on the represent the state in the International Blues Challenge an unprecedented 3 times. Matt’s first solo album, “If I Was a Fish”, finished in the top 5 of the International Blues Foundation’s “best self-produced CD” category in 2006. His two subsequent albums, with The Thunderbolts, have also gained national attention. 2007’s, “Be My Friend”, was referred to as “blistering” byDirty Linen magazine, and Living Blues magazine called 2010’s “Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts”, “a smoking amalgam of Hound Dog Taylor and Freddy King”. Additionally, Blues Revue called the album; raw, hypnotic and “very appealing”.
