Texas blues man Eddie Mathews is one of the most exciting and respected blues players in the country right now, learning about the genre from his grandfather at an early age, and continuing to learn as he got older. He plays at Boulevard Music this weekend, so we spoke to him about what we can expect…
CULVER CITY NEWS: WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING AND WRITING MUSIC, AND WHEN DID YOU START TAKING IT SERIOUSLY?
Eddie Mathews: I’ve always written music — for as long as I can remember I would write songs as a kid but seriously, about 10 years ago is when I finally realized – hey, I might have a little something.
WHO ARE YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES?
Besides my grandfather, I would have to say the one and only Howling Wolf.
DESCRIBE YOUR OWN STYLE…
I would have to say it’s a backwoods soul type of thing – country-blues.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE LOCAL SCENE?
DFW is where I reside now but I’m originally from the Texas-Louisiana line — a town by the name of Leek Creek. And as for the music scene, in Dallas it’s a great place to work on your craft.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST GIG TO DATE? AND WORST?
I played at the Ace Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, during Mardi Gras with Lil Buck Sinegal to a packed house, and it was great. As far as my worst gig, me and Leon Bridges, before he came famous out of Fort Worth, Texas, we played a gig in Fort Worth and no one showed up. I mean, no one at all, just me, him, and the bartender.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ALBUMS / SINGLES AVAILABLE?
“Welcome to the Backwoods” and “King of the Boneyard.”
HAVE YOU PLAYED BOULEVARD MUSIC BEFORE? HOW DID THAT CONNECTION HAPPEN?
I’ve never played Boulevard Music before. There’s a friend of mine that I’ve met by the name of Doug McLeod that lives in LA. He heard my music and he has some friends that stayed in Dallas. They came to see my show, and he contacted me and said, ‘Hey man, you should come to LA and play Boulevard Music.’ The rest is history
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE SET?
High energy, creative songwriting, and totally 100% originality.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED GOING FORWARD, AFTER THIS SHOW, FOR 2018?
I’m headed back to Dallas to do a blues festival on the 28th, and then to Austin or maybe Dallas to work on my next album. Then we are flying to San Francisco to play at Biscuits and Blues, and as far as 2018 goes my goal is to let everybody in LA know who I am. From the west coast to the east coast, deliver some cool original music and continue to do what I love — that is playing music.
The Eddie Mathews Band plays at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 20 at Boulevard Music; 4316 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City; 310-398-2583; $15.