Crys Matthews on 2/9/2023 has been RESCHEDULED TO 6/8/2023 due to a water service interruption resulting from the weekend’s weather conditions.

With Special Guest Kimaya Diggs and hosted by WAMC’s Wanda Fischer.

DC’s Crys Matthews is nothing if not ambitious. In August, she simultaneously released
both 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. Songs from both projects have already
won her recognition and awards. She was one of ten finalists (from a pool of 5,000) in
this year’s NewSong Music Competition and, after performing at Lincoln Center on
November 30th she was named grand-prize winner. Matthews also won the People
Music Network’s Social Just Songs contest at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance.
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 honorable mentions at the
2013 and 2014 Mid-Atlantic Song Contest and extensive radio play from Woman of
Substance radio to WTJU-Charlottesville and WMRA-Harrisonburg to KBOO-Portland.
Matthews has shared stages with Melissa Ferrick, Chris Pureka and Liz Longley, as well
as several regional artists such as Owen Danoff, Eliot Bronson, and Heather Mae.
Equally at home in an acoustic listening room as she is on stage at large music festivals,
Matthews has quickly gathered a loyal following on the east coast playing such
prestigious venues as The Birchmere, The Hamilton, and Jammin’ Java. Matthews’
festival and showcase roster has included BMI’s Island Hopper Songwriter Festival, the
40th Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, Folk Alliance International, 30A Songwriters
Festival, Northeast Regional Folk Alliance and many more.
A prolific lyricist and composer, Matthews has found inspiration in her surroundings;
from driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the compelling and heart-breaking
love story of Richard and Mildred Loving. Thoughtful, realistic and emotional, Matthews’
songs speak to the voice of our generation and remind us why music indeed soothes
the soul.

The Linda – WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, and WAMC Northeast Public Radio, announce the “Women’s Voices Concert Series”, celebrating and showcasing women singer-songwriters, artists and performers. The concert series will begin in February 2023 and continue through the Spring.  In addition to the headlining women for the inaugural concerts, additional support performers including women musicians, spoken word artists and event hosts will be announced in the coming weeks. 
Sponsored and produced by WAMC Northeast Public Radio and media sponsored by WEXT.