Episode #92 featuring Matty Charles

Matty Charles, proud new papa, outside Landmark Saloon ahead of Episode #92 of That Much Further West Podcast. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media.

Late last year, singer-guitarist-songwriter Matty Charles pulled off an impressive double. Around the same time he and his life and musical partner Katie Rose welcomed a newborn son into the world, Matty introduced a new band, The Jackson County Kills, to the musical community here in Portland, OR, USA.

And while his life has been mostly domestic in the meantime, the talented Mr. Charles has been squeezing in occasional gigs with the JCK and creating quite a buzz. The band’s danceable country rock has arrived on the scene like a breath of fresh air at the same time the venerable Landmark Saloon has returned regularly scheduled music to its tiny stage.

That’s exactly where our team gathered last week to record Episode #92 of That Much Further West Podcast, when Matty signed on as our special guest to help us get caught up on all he has going on.

Matty Charles sharing the goodness at Landmark Saloon for Episode #92 of That Much Further West Podcast. Photo by Anne Marie for Local Hero Media.

We learned of a 7-inch single in the works and a regular “Whiskey Wednesday” slot for The Jackson County Kills that may include an occasional cameo from new mama Katie. We also learned about Matty’s musical upbringing here in Portland and the subsequent travels that carried him from New York City to Santa Fe and San Francisco to finally resettling in his hometown.

He also shared wonderful stripped down performances of some of the songs that have made him a stalwart in our local folk and country scene. And we managed to squeeze in a few recorded songs, one from his solo album “Back At Your Door” and a pair from the stunning Matty Charles & Katie Rose record “Catching Arrows.”

So settle in for a fun ride — just press play! Here’s the playlist:

Caution, Matty Charles
Love’s Lost Quarter (Live at Landmark), Matty Charles
I Belong To Heaven (Live at Landmark), Matty Charles
What I Want, Matty Charles & Katie Rose
Glorieta (Live at Landmark), Matty Charles
Hey, Pretty Birds, Matty Charles & Katie Rose

Matty Charles fronts The Jackson County Kills at Strum Guitars in Portland, with Kevin Major on drums and Bryan Byrnes on guitar.