Contact Matt by clicking here or calling 650-218-0544.
Northern California-based Matt Nightingale has proven himself musically. From a young age, Matt has been writing, singing and playing piano. Citing such influences as Joni Mitchell, Rich Mullins, The Indigo Girls and U2, Matt delivers Still Standing, “an album of remarkable passion and candid personal confession with a hefty dose of pure pop confection thrown in for good measure.”
With Mike Roe (77s, Lost Dogs) at the helm as producer and guitarist, the unbeatable rhythm section of Mark Harmon and Bruce Spencer commands a colorful new landscape of pop and R&B foundations for Matt's soulful voice, memorable melodies and healing, heartfelt lyrics. A worshipful pop experience awaits you here.
From the driving opener, a soaring cover of Terry Butler's "Psalm 19" to the graceful closer, a gospel-tinged original ballad called "New Every Morning," from the bouncy, Blues Traveler-esque radio single "Always Entertaining Me (The La-La Song)" to the soulful acoustic love song to his children "Oh My Child," a myriad of styles and sounds awaits the listener, all built around Matt's authentic, tuneful songwriting and powerful, compelling vocals.
A licensed staff
minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church and the
Pastor of Music and Creative Arts at Peninsula
Covenant Church in Redwood City, California, he and
his wife Luanne, have been married since 1993 and have
four children, Josh (11), Jake (8), Emily and Zachary (5-year-old twins).
Since graduating from Grace College (Winona Lake, IN) in 1995, Matt has devoted his life to
the arts, at various times writing
and recording songs, playing piano, acting in
theatrical productions, conducting small vocal
groups, directing choirs, and leading congregations
in worshipping God through music.
How long have you
been singing and performing?
I remember singing in church when I was about 5 or 6
years old, and I was the “Master of Ceremonies” in
my first grade Christmas program… And before that, I
was always entertaining my folks at home… singing
and dancing on the coffee table, you know. I guess
I’ve always loved to be the center of attention.
What is it that drives you to be the one up in
front?
I must be working out some deep psychological
deficiency. No, seriously… For whatever reason, I’ve
always felt comfortable on the stage. It’s a gift, I
know. I feel like I’m gifted to lead people in
worship in a corporate setting, and I feel like I’ve
been given a gift in songwriting, and especially in
singing… a presence on stage that is somehow unique.
What is your
ultimate goal in recording the music you've written?
What are you hoping to accomplish?
I’ve been describing this process as similar to
pregnancy. I feel like these songs have been
gestating inside of me for a long time. Some of
these songs date back seven or eight years. It was
time for them to be born, to be laid out there, for
better or for worse. I don’t know that I have some
grand mission. I just hope that my songs will strike
a chord with someone. I think I’ve written about
universal themes for this record: hopes and dreams
for our children, reconciliation and honesty with
those we love, the need for connection with God, the
deep desire we all have to live as whole people, not
dividing our lives up into segments… I’d like to
think I’ve done so with integrity. I hope people can
see themselves in these songs. We all have to face
our own brokenness and come to grips with what grace
is all about. If this music could help someone see
God in the midst of whatever they’re going through,
I’d be really grateful.
Who are some of your heroes, both in the faith
and in music?
Heroes in music…
Definitely Mike Roe. What an
awesome singer, songwriter, guitarist… It was such a
gift to work with him. He tells it like it is. “The
Lust, the Flesh, the Eyes and the Pride of Life” is
one of my theme songs.
Joni Mitchell, for her
artistic integrity and songwriting. What other
artist could produce masterpieces as diverse as “Hejira,”
“Blue,” “Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm” and “Clouds” in
the same lifetime?
Rich Mullins, for not settling
for living off his “Awesome God” royalties and for
forming the Ragamuffin Band.
Linford Detweiler & Karen Bergquist of Over the Rhine, for toiling in
near-obscurity for over a decade now to captivate
our imagination and for continuing to get better and
better at what they do. And for going off the road
to work on their marriage a few years back.
Don & Karen Peris of the innocence mission, for the
consistently excellent music and the beautiful
testimony of peace in Christ.
Buddy & Julie Miller,
for their success in Nashville and for never
compromising their faith or their music to achieve
it.
Scott & Christine Dente of Out of the Grey, a great guitarist and a
great singer, and a great song in “Tell Your Story.”
The Indigo Girls, for their integrity. They live
what they believe, and they have played and sung
beautifully for 20 years.
