Great singer/songwriter & cover artist. Also performs with the Matt Keneson Band.

What’s your name and where are you from?

Matt Keneson I’m from Houston, Texas.

What is your local folk club or place you regularly perform?

I tend to perform in music venues in Leicester. More often than not, I perform with my band these days, but I like doing occasional solo gigs as it creates a totally different atmosphere for the songs.

How did you get into folk music?

When I think of folk music, I don’t think of only classic folk. I think of acoustic-based music of the people. In my childhood and throughout my teenage years this was country music and/ or acoustic-based singer songwriters. I wanted to see if I could do that too.

Who is/are your folk and/or musical inspiration?

There are so, so many. I guess if I have to list a few I’d say… Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Steve Earle, CSNY and Jackson Browne are pretty high up there for me.

What is your favourite song/piece from your set?

White Picket Fence has had a lot of positive feedback from my audiences. That being said, I still enjoy playing What You Want. It has a universal message in just a few words and a simple melody. It seems to resonate with the listeners too.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s folk festival?

I have a lot of friends playing in the festival so I’m looking forward to catching them wherever I can.

Tell us about the best gig you have ever been to?

I’ve been to so many gigs over the years that it is hard to say which is the best. I really enjoyed the first time I saw David Ford play. He is really impressive as a songwriter and performer. He had another songwriter, Jarrod Dickinson (Texas born like myself), opening the night and he was brilliant as well. I’ve made a point of seeing them both individually a few times since that night.

If we were to buy you a drink (I’m not saying we will but…) at the festival what would you want?

In the winter, I like dark stouts or ales mostly, but I find whiskies hard to resist too.

My band is called the Matt Keneson Band and we have a facebook page of course.  In terms of gigs. I tend to post when, where etc. on the band FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/themattkenesonband/

There are also a few clips on YouTube as well.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFybVkj2uh1Q3qrNQDss-6w

Playing the main stage at the Summer Festival