Matthew Santos
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Matthew Santos |
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Matthew Santos (born December 28, 1982) is an American rock and folk singer-songwriter, musician and painter.[1] He is best known for his collaboration with Chicago native Lupe Fiasco on the single "Superstar." He signed to Lupe Fiasco's 1st & 15th Entertainment record label, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records.
Life and music career
Early years
Matthew Santos was born on December 28, 1982 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His mother is Scandinavian and his father is Spanish-Filipino.[2]
He graduated from Southwest High School in Minneapolis.[3] He moved to Chicago in 2001 to study music composition at Columbia College Chicago.[4] Santos released his first independent solo album Change is Better in 2004.[citation needed]
Music career
Santos launched the Matthew Santos Music Company in January 2008. His five-piece band includes Aviva Jaye (vocals, keyboard), Robert Tucker (drums) Graham Burris (bass) and Matthew Nelson (keyboard).[5][6] He released his first live album "Matters of the Bittersweet," in November 2007 under Candy-Rat Records. Following his release of Matters of the Bittersweet, he developed a following surrounding his video performances on YouTube.[7][8]
In 2006, Santos was featured on Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor album on the song "American Terrorist."[9] Santos was featured on three additional tracks on Fiasco's following album Lupe Fiasco's The Cool, released in December 2007; "Superstar" "Streets On Fire" and "Fighters."[9][10] Santos performed the first single/video "Superstar" on David Letterman's first live performance after the Writer's Guild of America strike on January 2, 2008.[11][12]
In 2007, Santos opened the mtvU Woodie Awards with Lupe Fiasco and Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump.[13] In addition, Santos performed at the Las Vegas Vegoose Music Festival, Lollapalooza Chicago, SXSW, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Summerfest, Bumbershoot and Chicago's Around the Coyote Arts Festival. He headlined with Gym Class Heroes, recorded his six-song EP "As a Crow Flies" and played with The Roots, Bob Schneider and Josh Kelley.[1]
He collaborated on John Martyn's previously unreleased folk-rock inspired ballad, "Anna."[1] As Santos took the vocals, Martyn played the guitar and Phil Collins was featured on the drums.[1] The reincarnation of the song will be featured on Santos' own forthcoming studio album.[1] Santos recorded "Days Like This" with soul singer Sam Butler, Jr. from Blind Boys of Alabama[1] and he is recording "We All Fall Down" with L. Subramaniam[14] Most recently, Santos collaborated with Taboo from The Black Eyed Peas for his upcoming solo album.[10]
Santos says, "I hope to inspire people through music to own their talents, take responsibility for their talents and use them, hopefully, to serve the greater good ... I want to show the world that you can do something that you love and live in this society, finding a balance between coexisting in a social construct and following your heart."[15]
Personal life
Santos is an avid painter, writer and traveler.
Santos is influenced by India's spiritual teacher Osho and a professor he had in college, William Hayashi. Hayashi is a continual inspiration for Santos on serving the greater good. He resides in Chicago's urban neighborhood Wicker Park.
Discography
Albums
As a Crow Flies
"As a Crow Flies" is Santos' first solo EP, released in 2006.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | My Remedy |
| 2 | Fill My Cup |
| 3 | Shadows In a Shoebox |
| 4 | O' Montreal |
| 5 | Masquerade |
| 6 | Unnamable |
Matters of the Bittersweet
"Matters of the Bittersweet" is Santos' first solo album, released in November 2007 on Candy Rat Records.
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Shadows in a Shoebox |
| 2 | Uncertainties |
| 3 | Humming'burd |
| 4 | Love Sick Fool |
| 5 | Waiting for the Day |
| 6 | Daughter of the Sun |
| 7 | My Remedy |
| 8 | Old Man Winter |
| 9 | Unnamable |
| 10 | Drop a Coin |
| 11 | Lady Luna |
| 12 | Matters of the Bittersweet |
Singles
Featured singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions[16] | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. Pop 100 | U.S. R&B | |||
| 2007 | "Superstar" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Matthew Santos) | 10 | 13 | 19 | Lupe Fiasco's the Cool |
Guest appearances
| Year | Song | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "American Terrorist" | Lupe Fiasco | Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor |
| 2007 | "Superstar" | Lupe Fiasco's The Cool | |
| "Fighters" |
References and Press Interviews
- ^ a b c d e f Matthew Santos' MySpace page. Accessed January 2, 2008.
- ^ Spanglish Magazine interview. Accessed March 25, 2008.
- ^ Star Tribune interview (December 20, 2007). Accessed January 8, 2008.
- ^ MetroMix and The RedEye interview Accessed February 15, 2008.
- ^ Staten Island Advance interview) Accessed January 31, 2008.
- ^ Chicago Flame interview) Accessed March 3, 2008.
- ^ Billboard Magazine interview (January 2, 2008). Accessed January 5, 2008.
- ^ Singersroom article (November 28, 2007) Accessed January 9, 2008.
- ^ a b Lansing Lowdown interview (December 5, 2007). Accessed January 8, 2008.
- ^ a b Washington Times interview (January 25, 2008). Accessed January 25, 2008,
- ^ Pitchfork Forkcast: Matthew Santos on David Letterman (January 3, 2007). Accessed January 9, 2008.
- ^ Columbia Chronicle interview (January 30, 2008). Accessed January 30, 2008.
- ^ The Michigan Daily interview (December 7, 2007). Accessed January 8, 2008.
- ^ Centerstage Chicago. Accessed January 30, 2008.
- ^ Newcity Magazine interview (December 23, 2007). Accessed January 8, 2008.
- ^ Artist Chart History Billboard. Accessed March 7 2008.
External links
- Matthew Santos at IMN World.