Matt Pless

Indie Folk • Baltimore, MD

Bio
A long standing favorite in the DIY and folk punk scenes, Baltimore singer-songwriter Matt Pless has been making an impression on music fans since he was first noticed singing amid the protesters at Occupy Wall Street. More folk than punk, Pless is an outsider among outsiders– his wild hair and lyrical finesse bring to mind Dylan at his peak. His live performances are renowned for their fast paced energy that captivates audiences with each strum of his guitar and every impassioned lyric.
Pless has independently released several albums —including 2022’s “Cheap Shots on the Rocks” and has garnered a dedicated following across the United States.His distinctive voice delivers songs addressing love, substance abuse and political ideology with equal parts sincerity and irreverence. His music not only entertains but provokes thought, encouraging the listener to reflect on the complexities of the modern world. With each new release, Matt Pless continues to evolve, offering a fresh perspective that stays with you long after the song has ended. This year, Matt has been in the studio with legendary Bouncing Souls guitarist, Pete Steinkopf recording a new all acoustic album along with a more punk forward EP backed by members of Crazy and the Brains. His latest single, “Troubled Times” is now available for streaming everywhere.
STATS
28K MONTHLY SPOTIFY LISTENERS 2.1 MILLION+ SPOTIFY PLAYS FOR "ASHTRAY" 1.9 MILLION+ YOUTUBE VIEWS 2400+ SHOWS PLAYED 48 STATES 11 COUNTIRES
“Pless’s words come across with the delivery of a punk rock poet laureate...summoning visions of Waits and Bukowski.” WANNABEE at GLIDEMAGAZINE “[Matt Pless] one of the most underrated artists of our time and one hell of a prolific songwriter.” REBEL NOISE “Insanely brilliant lyrics, blended with poppy, catchy acoustic guitar, with the grit and aggression of punk.” PUNKNEWS.ORG "So, if you haven't familiarized yourself with Matt Pless yet, you can thank me latter ... I say look no further. Matt has been described as today's Bob Dylan, but [his] lyrics [are] a step beyond." RADIORADIOX "There’s something a bit special about Matt Pless when it comes to lyrics. They are playful and witty but also searching. It’s definitely got folk running through it, but there are lots of classic power-pop and rock and roll elements, too." Michael Beck, PHONOTONAL.COM
Notable Venues Played
9:30 Club [Washington, DC] Sony Hall [New York City, NY] Lincoln Hall [Chicago, IL] Meow Wolf [Denver, CO] City Winery [Nashville, TN] & [New York City, NY] Hawthorne Theatre [Portland, OR] Ottobar [Baltimore, MD]
Matt has shared the stage with
Fallout Boy [2001] Maroon 5 [2002] All Time Low [2004] Will Wood [2022] Days N Daze [2017] Arlo Guthrie [2012] Ani DiFranco [2019] Bad Brains [2012] Pat the Bunny [2014]