As a young kid, Eugene native Mat Ke arney would ditch his seat in McArthur Court just as the final buzzer was about to sound. With the ball in the air on the last shot, the musician-to-be found himself sneaking past the University of Oregon security guards and preparing to charge the court after almost every game. Most spectators dreamed of an autograph from UO basketball players — maybe a jersey.
Three decades later, Kearney has moved from Eugene to Nashville and shifted his focus to his career in music—right now, rehearsals are dominating his schedule. Most of the Ducks know Kearney from Autzen stadium. His song, Coming Home , plays between the first and second quarter of Oregon football games and leaves the student section beaming with pride. The full album has yet to be released, but the available five-song sample is already being recognized for its unique sound. After releasing his previous four albums on major labels, Kearney launched out on his own for his new release "Crazy Talk" Tomorrow Music.
The project is being released as two EPs. The first half is available now, while the second half is planned for a spring release.
The song's melodic and low-key groove was inspired by the work of soul-pop diva Sade and "a lot of islandy feel good records," says Kearney.
I wanted it to be something you could lay back to on vacation, but then when you strip it down it's a great singer-songwriter track. I wanted the song to marry those two worlds. The song grew out of a conversation between the two men, who originally met when the Nashville-based group opened for Kearney on tour. I've had moments in my career when I've made more money and had more success than at other times, but I've realized being happy has very little to do with any of that. I have a little girl now and am happier than ever.
Judah said we should write about that. The song underscores that being fulfilled has very little to do with material things. His 1-year-old daughter Olive has changed his life personally and professionally. Kearney writes his songs in the morning now to adapt to her schedule. His lyrics have a wiser tone these days, resembling the words of a seasoned older friend sharing his experiences. The singer-songwriter is also making adjustments to life on the road. On his current tour, his wife and daughter will accompany him as he travels to a number of dates.
Kearney has arranged for two tour buses to accommodate his opening act Andrew Belle, his own band and a private space for his family. Kearney was a late bloomer when it came to music. A native of Eugene, Ore. He attended California State University at Chico, where he studied literature and played on the soccer team. Another activity soon caught his attention. His college roommate had a guitar and Kearney learned a few chords.
It was an apt beginning for an album made through a period where Kearney — like the rest of us — lost a great deal of control.
But the pandemic also allowed him, for the first time, to step away from his work at points and revisit it weeks later with fresh ears. Recording at home with producer Robert Marvin — whom Kearney followed from his native Oregon to Nashville 21 years ago — he spent a month working on different versions of the album's closing song, "Something Beautiful.
That wasn't quite enough time to invite fans to a traditional album release concert, so instead, Kearney came to them. He performed for fans in the Grimey's record store parking lot, sang "Baby Shark" for students at Tom Joy Elementary School and strummed alongside the party buses on Lower Broadway.
But a conventional tour is just around the corner: he kicks off the first part of his "January Flower" tour in August. Facebook Twitter Email.
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