FTC Hosts Scrapomatic with Mike Mattison, Lead Singer for Derek Trucks Band, Sat. Aug. 6th

Scrapomatic is a blues duo (touring with a rhythm section) featuring the lead singer of The Derek Trucks Band -- and multi-instrumentalist Mike Mattison --  and his childhood friend Paul Olsen, who was taught jazz and blues separately but shares in Mattison’s passion for American-flavored, bluesy roots rock. Emboldened with fresh takes on both urban and country blues, and sparked by spirited, provocative original material, the group has been nominated for Best R&B Group as well as Best Male Vocalist at the Minnesota Music Awards.

If you love The Derek Trucks Band or the Tedeschi Trucks Band, with whom Mike Mattison frequently guests, you’re going to love the intimacy of a Scrapomatic show at StageOne. You’ll likely never get this opportunity with any of Trucks’ bands, and Mattison carries so much of the soul in Trucks’ music that this is a real treat. Aside from the Scrapomatic duties, you may know guitarist Olsen from his active New York City career, as a blues and jazz bandleader and ACAP award-winning songwriter, for “Transition,” from the duo’s first album.

Their breakthrough self-titled album contains a dozen tracks worth of lovely soul-blues pop. The disc starts extremely strongly with two excellent cuts -- a lively original titled "Moanin'" and a reading of Mississippi John Hurt's "Let the Mermaids Flirt With Me" -- that are augmented by an exhilarating cadre of New Orleans musicians. After that, the disc settles down a little -- just as well executed, though not quite as invigorating or original. Mattison is a great vocalist with fine control, never relying too much on histrionics to deliver his point.

Their second and most recent album, Sidewalk Caesars, was another huge bluesy hit. As said by one reviewer, the band is often “Unfairly pigeonholed as a soul-blues band, Scrapomatic breaks through any barriers - real or perceived - with the excellent musical buffet of Sidewalk Caesars. Drawing upon acoustic Delta blues as an inspiration, Olsen and Mattison and crew throw heaping chunks of country twang, Southern rock and soul, and roots-rock with gospel overtones into the grooves of Sidewalk Caesars. This is roots music at its best, Scrapomatic bringing American musical tradition into the 21st century with style and personality.”

NPR’s “Mountain Stage” says, “Their third album, Sidewalk Caesars, features 11 songs co-written by the duo; the disc melds the pair's classic blues sound with a contemporary perspective. Mattison's acrobatic vocals showcase his vast range, as he shows off a deep growl and a ringing falsetto, while Olsen's utilitarian guitar work maintains the soul-blues vibe.”

FTC (www.fairfieldtheatre.org) manages two venues, StageOne in Fairfield and The Klein in Bridgeport. FTC is dedicated to presenting the best of live entertainment and performing arts education in the region.

FTC Reminder: Zappa Plays Zappa this Friday, July 29th at The Klein
“Dweezil is the closest thing to having Frank on stage as we are ever going to see. He has developed an encyclopedic knowledge of his father's music, and enlisted a team of crack musicians to recreate Zappa's exhaustive catalogue.” - AntiMusic.com

“The show was comprised of one jaw-dropping moment after another, and most of the overwhelmingly attentive audience left baffled by the level of skill displayed throughout.” - Glide Magazine

DETAILS
venue: The Klein, 910 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, CT
date: Fri 7/29
doors: 7:00 PM
show: 8:00 PM

TICKET INFO
price: $35-$57 Door Price: $37-$59
member discount: $5
Buy tickets: Box Office: 203.259.1036 or buy online: www.fairfieldtheatre.org