While Matthew Crowley has had many fantastic music experiences, some of his fondest memories are of working in London at an intimate studio called Snake Ranch Studios (owned by Nick Glennie Smith and Richard Harvey). He was an assistant engineer, which entailed a variety of tasks from working the console to assisting artists and session musicians (and making lots of tea). The studio was a favorite spot for British television and film projects, but had the occasional rock star pop through (Roger Waters, Elvis Costello). The studio was also a hidden work retreat for the late Academy Award winner Stanley Myers (”The Deer Hunter”), Harry Gregson-Williams (”Spy Game”, “Crimson Tide”, “Shrek”) and Hans Zimmer (”The Lion King”, “Pirates of the Caribbean”). As a bonus, Matthew had the opportunity to work with the legendary engineer/producer John Timperly (Yes).

Back in Chicago, after being bitten by the studio bug, Crowley launched Bubblehaus studios in a small industrial garage which - with the help of friends and fellow musicians - was converted into a studio. It was always a small operation with the most visible personnel being Matthew, producer/drummer Earl Talbot, Jr. (Nomads, Poi Dog Pondering) and a talented engineer by the name of Andrew Twiss. For the next several years the studio became the staging ground for hundreds of recording projects ranging from Rock/Pop, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, African, Folk, documentaries, commercials, PSAs and Classical music (Zeleke, Peven Everett, Terry Collier, Dirty, Sugar Blue, Voodoo Kings, Kevin Lee, Ronnie Ron). The space was also used for rehearsals and showcases. In addition to in-house recording, Matthew went into the field for numerous mobile recording projects which included bands, choirs, brass ensembles, but probably the music noteworthy was an ongoing production called “Live From 435” sponsored by Metromix.com (Chicago Tribune). This was a monthly hour long live concert and interview broadcast featuring a wide variety of artists ranging from Jon Langford, The Smoking Popes, Califone, Robbie Fulks, Aluminum Group, Malachi Thompson, The Pulsars, NRG Ensemble, The Handsome Family and many other talented local artists.

Over the years, some of Matthew Crowley’s music has found its way into television and film projects, including segments for the Travel Channel, MTV Productions, ABC’s “Making the Band”, several Japanese T.V. commercials, industrial demos, animated shorts, movie trailers and the most recent full length feature film “Second Moon” from internationally recognized director Masahiro Sugano (Eye From the Sky Productions). Matthew enjoys composing and producing with fellow musicians and has collaborated on productions and remixes with many local and international musicians and producers such as Grammy Award winning remixer Maurice Joshua (Rhianna, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey), Norwegian producer Pål Jansen (Celsius Recording), Handel Tucker (The Fugees), Preston Klik (DivaNation, My Scarlet Life), David Niari (Malik), thirteen-time Grammy Award Winner Steve Rodby (The Pat Metheny Group), Lawrence Cottle (Seal), Chris Cameron (Sonia Dada), Chris Nicholson (Gullibanque), Johnny Rutledge (R. Kelly, The DoodleBops), Bob Palmieri (NBC’s “Today Show”, DePaul University) and Ajax (Liquid Soul) to name a few. Some of Matthew’s closest composing partnerships include working with the artist Simone (daughter of jazz legend Nina Simone - star of Broadway’s “Rent”, “Aida” - Liquid Soul), Chezeré (previous release “Where Does Your Mind Go”; currently with the band Whut4), Sonny Jakobs, Terry Stylz, Rob Laforte, BVX, Earl Talbot, D. Bayne and Michelle Cross. Several of these collaborative efforts took Matthew to some great locations - like back to London with Simone for a rare concert at the Royal Albert Hall where she and her mother performed and, on a couple of occasions, to Mumbai, India with Sonny Jakobs for a music video shoot in true Bollywood fashion complete with elephants and fire-breathers!

FEATURED ALBUM

“This album features fifteen songs which encapsulate many of the struggles, triumphs and experiences I’ve encountered during my journey. I don’t pretend to understand this remarkable and crazy ride called life, but I do believe that many of the elements found in my story are universal and can be appreciated by the greater populous. The process of composing and producing these songs was a cathartic one – my own personal therapy session (with me, myself and I). If one song happens to inspire, comfort or entertain any one of the six and half billion people inhabiting this planet - FANTASTIC! The only playing instructions I have are simple - listen loud and listen often!”

Cheers,
Matthew Crowley
 

He is a producer, writer, performer and musician and, having worked with scores of different artists in destinations across the globe, he has started doing things for himself. The result is an eponymous debut album whose excellence is likely to take the musical world by storm.

The album presents 15 tracks of beautifully crafted rock, pop, electronica and dance. Crowley’s masterful production weaves all these elements together in a way that not only sounds great, but also fits together as a complete record.

Following in the footsteps of masters of the art of production like Trevor Horn, Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, Crowley uses texture to create memorable, detailed, rich soundscapes on every one of the tunes on his album.

He skillfully combines some of the best elements of classic rock, soul and Motown with the technical trickery of modern pop production to create a truly unique sound.

But the quality of this record should come as no surprise. Because although Crowley may only just be releasing his first record, his experience and depth as a producer more than shines through.

He has produced and engineered for myriad artists across the entire musical spectrum, all of which experience informs, influences and enriches the music he makes now. He has worked in four continents with artists of the calibre of Terry Callier, Nina Simone, Elvis Costello, Harry Gregson-Williams, John Timperly and Peven Everett – all heavyweight names in their fields.

To say that Crowley is a producer with pedigree is a huge understatement.

But this record proves he is also a massively talented musician and gifted songwriter. He may say that making the record acted as a kind of catharsis for him, but one listen and you know that his is a sound that will reach out to millions.

Matthew Crowley may have taken a few years to make a record of his own material, but the world is sure going to be glad he did. And soon.

‘Matthew Crowley’ is available to buy now (www.matthewcrowley.com, Cdbaby, iTunes, Digstation).