Press and Appearances
Cat Club Podcast Interview w/Rick Gethin at Music in Motion Columbus
Rick Gethin | Music in Motion - Columbus | 12.31.2018
"As both a solo artist and member of Matt Monta and The Haymakers, his music channels the best of Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen, to name but a few. You’ll hear how he made the decision to quit his day job and pursue music full-time as his chosen career. You’ll get the stories behind the songs and share some laughs along the way."
Rick Gethin | Music in Motion - Columbus | 12.31.2018
"As both a solo artist and member of Matt Monta and The Haymakers, his music channels the best of Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen, to name but a few. You’ll hear how he made the decision to quit his day job and pursue music full-time as his chosen career. You’ll get the stories behind the songs and share some laughs along the way."
This Might Be a Podcast - Alienation's for the Rich
Greg Simpson | This Might Be a Podcast | 12.27.2018
"Greg and Richmond, VA rock musician Matt Monta discuss Alienation’s for the Rich off of TMBG’s self-titled debut. After discussing the song’s style parody brilliance, the history of Esperanto and find some diverse cover versions, they do some research to discover just how prolific of songwriters the Johns really are."
Greg Simpson | This Might Be a Podcast | 12.27.2018
"Greg and Richmond, VA rock musician Matt Monta discuss Alienation’s for the Rich off of TMBG’s self-titled debut. After discussing the song’s style parody brilliance, the history of Esperanto and find some diverse cover versions, they do some research to discover just how prolific of songwriters the Johns really are."
Why Aren't You Famous? Podcast - Changes
Andrew Grimm & Ellen Cherry | Why Aren't You Famous? | 10.29.2018
"Co-hosts ellen cherry and Andrew Grimm find themselves in conversation with songwriter Matt Monta about the topic of change. Why we do it (do we haaaaave toooooo?) and maybe some ways to navigate it. It is after all, the Law of the Universe. Evolution: change or......perish. (Cue dramatic music.)"
Andrew Grimm & Ellen Cherry | Why Aren't You Famous? | 10.29.2018
"Co-hosts ellen cherry and Andrew Grimm find themselves in conversation with songwriter Matt Monta about the topic of change. Why we do it (do we haaaaave toooooo?) and maybe some ways to navigate it. It is after all, the Law of the Universe. Evolution: change or......perish. (Cue dramatic music.)"
WCBE 90.5 Music Journeys - Matt Monta
Mike Foley | WCBE 90.5 | 04.26.2018
"For Monta, music represents a way of telling stories that explain what's going on around us. He feels a personal responsibility to create something meaningful."
Mike Foley | WCBE 90.5 | 04.26.2018
"For Monta, music represents a way of telling stories that explain what's going on around us. He feels a personal responsibility to create something meaningful."
Review: "Restless Disposition" by Matt Monta & the Haymakers
Dustin Meadows | BRTTL | 04.23.2018
"Every member of the band earns their keep on this album, with Bryan Kossmann and Matt Paetsch's rhythm section keeping the rock n' roll train on the tracks, Jamie Molisee's lead guitar work dishing out licks, riffs, and solos with a practiced precision that comes off as almost effortless, and of course, Matt Monta at the helm on rhythm guitar and with powerful, impassioned vocals that cut through like a knife on every track."
Dustin Meadows | BRTTL | 04.23.2018
"Every member of the band earns their keep on this album, with Bryan Kossmann and Matt Paetsch's rhythm section keeping the rock n' roll train on the tracks, Jamie Molisee's lead guitar work dishing out licks, riffs, and solos with a practiced precision that comes off as almost effortless, and of course, Matt Monta at the helm on rhythm guitar and with powerful, impassioned vocals that cut through like a knife on every track."
Interview: Matt Monta's Restless Disposition
Ed Forman | Columbus Free Press | 04.26.2018
"The Free Press’ Ed Forman sat down with Matt to discuss the new disc, life as a full time musician, and political influence on music."
Ed Forman | Columbus Free Press | 04.26.2018
"The Free Press’ Ed Forman sat down with Matt to discuss the new disc, life as a full time musician, and political influence on music."
Review: Matt Monta to Release Second Full-Length Album
Abby Jeffers | In the Record Store | 04.26.2018
"Monta and his Haymakers pay attention to detail, and you're whisked away along the band’s journey."
Abby Jeffers | In the Record Store | 04.26.2018
"Monta and his Haymakers pay attention to detail, and you're whisked away along the band’s journey."
Things We Love - Picks from Matt Monta
Columbus Alive | 04.26.2018
"Star Trek, studios, salons and more"
Columbus Alive | 04.26.2018
"Star Trek, studios, salons and more"
13 Local Music Acts You Ought to Know and Love
Zoey Miller | Columbus Navigator | 04.11.2018
"Matt Monta and the Haymakers are pure Ohio rust belt magnetism. It’s blue collar feel good music at it’s finest, stirring up memories of old loves, rowdy friends, and calloused hands."
Zoey Miller | Columbus Navigator | 04.11.2018
"Matt Monta and the Haymakers are pure Ohio rust belt magnetism. It’s blue collar feel good music at it’s finest, stirring up memories of old loves, rowdy friends, and calloused hands."
"Seasonal Lover" - New Video from Matt Monta & the Haymakers
Dustin Meadows | BRTTL | 04.02.2018
"Catchy and hitting us all in a place that we've recognized at one point or another in our lives, Matt Monta & The Haymakers deliver a single about someone feeling trapped and trying to escape, someone who at the same time is clinging to the past of a fondly remembered summer fling that couldn't last."
Dustin Meadows | BRTTL | 04.02.2018
"Catchy and hitting us all in a place that we've recognized at one point or another in our lives, Matt Monta & The Haymakers deliver a single about someone feeling trapped and trying to escape, someone who at the same time is clinging to the past of a fondly remembered summer fling that couldn't last."
"I Won't Be Scared" - New Single by Matt Monta & the Haymakers
Dustin Meadows | BRTTL | 02.28.2018
"The verses sound almost ethereal, echoing in some place we've all been but can't seem to remember clearly. But as quickly as you've been lured in by the seeming calm of the storm, the chorus roars in, not asking, but demanding that you sing along, stomp your feet, and refuse to be afraid of the waking nightmare of every day life."
Dustin Meadows | BRTTL | 02.28.2018
"The verses sound almost ethereal, echoing in some place we've all been but can't seem to remember clearly. But as quickly as you've been lured in by the seeming calm of the storm, the chorus roars in, not asking, but demanding that you sing along, stomp your feet, and refuse to be afraid of the waking nightmare of every day life."
New Music: "I Won't Be Scared"
Sam Kayuha | In the Record Store | 01.26.2018
"'I Won’t Be Scared' is a triumphant ode to defiance. Its poetic verses have the feel of a folk song with a beat that seems to be counting down to the powerful chorus. The Haymakers match the emotion behind Monta’s voice, riding with it until the song reaches its highest point: the final chorus, when Monta’s fearlessness is most convincing."
Sam Kayuha | In the Record Store | 01.26.2018
"'I Won’t Be Scared' is a triumphant ode to defiance. Its poetic verses have the feel of a folk song with a beat that seems to be counting down to the powerful chorus. The Haymakers match the emotion behind Monta’s voice, riding with it until the song reaches its highest point: the final chorus, when Monta’s fearlessness is most convincing."
Poetry in Motion: Matt Monta & the Haymakers Release a New EP
Xavier Veccia | 614now.com | 11.17.2016
"There’s something unmistakably sexy about hard work. Hardened hands, dirty jeans, rolled-up sleeves... But at the end of the day, hard work’s pointless unless it’s towards something. That’s the sexiest thing about it, after all, the romantic notion that hard work pays off — the American dream. Columbus singer songwriter Matt Monta & The Haymakers’ new EP, Motion, is a testament to that ideal."
Xavier Veccia | 614now.com | 11.17.2016
"There’s something unmistakably sexy about hard work. Hardened hands, dirty jeans, rolled-up sleeves... But at the end of the day, hard work’s pointless unless it’s towards something. That’s the sexiest thing about it, after all, the romantic notion that hard work pays off — the American dream. Columbus singer songwriter Matt Monta & The Haymakers’ new EP, Motion, is a testament to that ideal."
Locals: Matt Monta revisits past songs with full band on ‘Motion’ EP
Joel Oliphint | Columbus Alive | 11.17.2016
"If American Rhymin is Monta’s Nebraska, Motion is his Born to Run. The Haymakers play heartland rock in the vein of modern-day peers like Brian Fallon or Dave Hause, but where those songwriters infuse their music with a punk-rock ethos, Monta remains a folkie at heart."
Joel Oliphint | Columbus Alive | 11.17.2016
"If American Rhymin is Monta’s Nebraska, Motion is his Born to Run. The Haymakers play heartland rock in the vein of modern-day peers like Brian Fallon or Dave Hause, but where those songwriters infuse their music with a punk-rock ethos, Monta remains a folkie at heart."
Matt Monta & The Haymakers: New Albums & New Sounds
Matthew Erman | 614now.com | 09.15.2016
"...Matt Monta & The Haymakers [...] lives in an American timelessness, it sounds present but rests in a place that could be from any period of time from the last forty years. It is steeped in the same kind of blue/folk traditions that birthed similar storytellers like Dylan and Springsteen — but those guys aren’t from Columbus, and that’s what makes The Haymakers different."
Matthew Erman | 614now.com | 09.15.2016
"...Matt Monta & The Haymakers [...] lives in an American timelessness, it sounds present but rests in a place that could be from any period of time from the last forty years. It is steeped in the same kind of blue/folk traditions that birthed similar storytellers like Dylan and Springsteen — but those guys aren’t from Columbus, and that’s what makes The Haymakers different."
Sophisticated Effort From a long-time Columbus Talent
Ed Forman | Columbus Freepress | 04.02.2015
"...some of the best music heard from a Columbus artist."
Ed Forman | Columbus Freepress | 04.02.2015
"...some of the best music heard from a Columbus artist."
Matt Monta turns his gaze inward on Where You Find Love
Andy Downing | Columbus Alive | 04.09.2015
"For his latest, Where You Find Love, Monta shifted his gaze inward, turning out deeply felt songs steeped in regret, heartache, loss and redemption....[but] Monta is never truly alone on Where You Find Love."
Andy Downing | Columbus Alive | 04.09.2015
"For his latest, Where You Find Love, Monta shifted his gaze inward, turning out deeply felt songs steeped in regret, heartache, loss and redemption....[but] Monta is never truly alone on Where You Find Love."
Matt Monta Brings Back the Good Ole Days of Rock N Roll
Chris McLafferty | I Am Tuned Up | 04.10.2015
"...a strong feel of Creedence, Bruce, Petty.. the lyrics have a more pure feel than some of the songs today."
Chris McLafferty | I Am Tuned Up | 04.10.2015
"...a strong feel of Creedence, Bruce, Petty.. the lyrics have a more pure feel than some of the songs today."
Sensory Overload: Matt Monta
Chris Deville | Columbus Alive | 03.14.2013
"...a faithful practitioner upholding time-honored traditions."
Chris Deville | Columbus Alive | 03.14.2013
"...a faithful practitioner upholding time-honored traditions."
Q&A: Matt Monta
John Ross | Columbus Alive | 09.15.2011
John Ross | Columbus Alive | 09.15.2011