MARBLEHEAD — Crys Matthews and Heather Mae, two of the most talked about singer-songwriters on the scene, will appear together at the me&thee on Friday, October 12. Their songs are passionate, sincere, and relevant to all audiences; their lyrics and music combine for an evening of inspiration and hope.
Matthews blends Americana, folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass and funk into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies and punctuated by honest, original lyrics. Having been compared to everyone from Toshi Reagon to Tracy Chapman to Ruthie Foster, Matthews’ eclectic infusion of genres has won her many awards and many devoted fans.
She was one of 10 finalists (from a pool of 5,000) in this year’s NewSong Music Competition and, after performing at Lincoln Center in November, she was named the grand-prize winner. Matthews also won the People Music Network’s Social Justice Songs contest at the 2017 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance.
In August 2017, she simultaneously released a new full-length album, The Imagineers, and an EP, Battle Hymn For An Army Of Lovers. These collections showcase two sides of Matthews’ dynamic songwriting; The Imagineers is a selection of thoughtful songs about love and life while Battle Hymn For An Army Of Lovers tackles social justice themes. Heather Mae is a unique performer. She startles the senses of her audiences on many levels; she engages her audiences to shake their hips and raise their fists in solidarity. Her honesty, authenticity, and ability to connect to people are special gifts and her music is an extra added bonus on top of that.
Heather Mae is an imaginative lyricist with a powerhouse voice. She has broken new ground with her album, I Am Enough, the collection was dubbed a Kickstarter Staff Pick within its first week. She is known for her interesting indie-pop sound, but also for her musical take on touchy subjects ranging from LGBTQ discrimination, gender stereotypes, body image, and mental health issues. This is what sets Mae apart: she seeks to write music for those who need an anthem and doesn’t shy away from tackling topics not often heard in pop music.
The me&thee coffeehouse is at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance and $21 at the door. Student tickets are $10. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or go to www.meandthee.org.
Next concert: Friday, October 19: Marblehead singer-songwriter life coach/author Jim Trick.