The songs and stories of a young man with an old soul...

15 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, FOLK: Modern Folk



Details:
MistaRuddy's (Matthew Brian Ruddy) newest album, "Living Rooms & Rooftops", was recorded this past summer of 2005 at intimate gatherings in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Jersey City, the Jersey Shore, Monroeville, and Shadyside. It was released on January 14th, 2006 to a packed crowd at the Knitting Factory in New York City. The resounding opinion from friends and fans in New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, England, Australia, and South Africa is that the album captures the "raw, honest, and real" sound of MistaRuddyâs live shows.

MistaRuddy (Matthew Brian Ruddy) is originally from the Pacific Northwest, grew up outside of Pittsburgh, and moved to New York City in the fall of 2000.

With a grant from the VH1 "Save the Music" Foundation, he began a small instrumental music program at a public school on Manhattan's lower east side that has now grown over past 6 years to include Beginning Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and an after school Rock Band. In the spring of 2004, the school was recognized as an exemplary site for arts education.

Somewhere along the way, his efforts towards sharing music have been rewarded by finding a songwriting style all his own. His gravelly voice, articulate lyrics, and percussive guitar style have grown into a sound described as "a young man with an old soul".

"I decided to go by "MistaRuddy" after realizing it was the name I've heard the most over the past 5 years. My students are amazing. They all come fully equipped with the angst and agita of Junior High kids, but they never fail to crack me up when I take myself too seriously. Certainly, I have learned as much from them as they have from me."

His first concrete effort took the shape of a 6-song EP titled "Simple Songs About Complicated Things". Both the first and second pressing have sold out and the tracks are available now as downloads from iTunes and other digital music sites.

Several other highlights of MistaRuddyâs up and coming music career have included opening for Braddigan of Dispatch, Pete Kilpatrick, shows in Boston, Pittsburgh, Gettysburg and the single "Fighting Time" being featured on TPNâs (ThePodcastNetwork) New Rock Podcast.

"I've been a late bloomer in many ways but it seems like things are starting to come around. I worry about wasted words or insincere, mediocre music. So I try very hard to make sure a song is worth sharing before inflicting it upon others. I'm a bit guarded against insincerity so I'll take a mellow head nod over an apathetic handshake any day. But the best is a good, good hug...the real ones that squeeze out all your stress. I'll stick up for necessary antagonism but incessant reduction makes a lot of messes. I've made a few. You can find the rest of the details in the words of a song somewhere along the way." - MistaRuddy