Short Acoustic Set @ Hillbilly Hip Topnga Tuesday 27th December at 21h00!

Be sure to pop at the Hillbilly Hip Vintage store's "Unusual Tuesday" night - Topanga CA if you guys are in the area at around 21h00 Tuesday night 27th of December. I'll be playing a short acoustic (piano and vocals) set of some new material...Especially excited to debut "Fire on Salt Lake." Thanks and see you guys there!

Music Video for new lead single = Go!

Video for "You're My Heart," lead single of my new short album project, "The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine" in Topanga California. Very excited about he concept and the shoot. Do stay tunes for more information on the release date of the short album and thanks so much for the support. Be safe you guys!

On Love...

Deserved love for myself from myself is now my ultimate goal. Hard work indeed...I think I'm worth it though. More so, I think we are all worth it.

Best;
Gerschweyn

Dankie Tania en Danie en die Kinders!

"Niks hoef prefek te wees nie...'n konstante beweging na vore is goed genoeg."
- Tania en Danie van den Berg

Dallas Texas = Neat + Littered with Dallas- Attude?

Interesting place, loads of fun with my buddies Randy and Mika...crazy bunch of actors and "should be pro" stand up comedians!

The place sucks for location scouting as we've learned Sunday 12th June 2011. As in, "We just want to shoot a short scene on your restaurant patio, please Sir." "Hell no, Foreign dweeb...get the f!@k out of my joint...you and your odd non basketball watching posse!" Ouch! We'll find a kick ass place to film a computer geek and "lady of the night" converse philosophically yet!

When in the area check out one of the "Blue Goose Cantina" = tasty Mexican Style Grub!

Best;
Gerschweyn

Support The Awkward Robot!

Be sure to catch my buddies, "The Awkward Robot" on tour! Check in 2 their band page on Facebook and Reverbnation AND SUPPORT! Do the mother!@#$%^& ROBOT!

New Single "You're My Heart" Out Now!

New single, "YOU'RE MY HEART" available now from BandCamp.com! Keep checking the blog, facebook, myspace and youtube for more info on the new single and my new short album "The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine" to be release later this year.

Enjoy;
Gerschweyn Matthews

Andrew Glassett on board = "The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine!

Check Out Andrew Glassett! Awesome Mastering Engineer, Dj and Producer! Andrew is Mastering my new short album and video project = "The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine." Look out for lead single off my new short album, "You're My Heart," as produced by Jay Martinez and Jason Martins aka "The Awkward Robot." These guys rock!

New Single Dropping Soon!

New Single = "You're My Heart" dropping soon. Produced by Jay Martinez and Jason Martins aka "The Awkward Robot" and mastered by Andrew Glassett, the new single is the first track to be released of my new short album project called, "The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine." Keep checking my Blog, Facebook, Youtube, Myspace and Vimeo pages for more info to follow!

Best;
Gerschweyn Matthews

Catholic Community Services of Utah Aid Program - Please Help!

Great Refugee Aid Program based out of Salt Lake City Utah. Please do visit the main site and help in any way possible. I think it not right to suffer due to unfortunate location. -Please Visit; www.ccsutah.org
I am sure you all agree with the principles of such a cause, religious or not.

Love and Respect!
Gerschweyn
p.s. Photo Courtesy of Keith Johnson / Deseret News

New Album Updates!

Stoked about new short album, "The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine." Lead single called "You're My Heart" dropping soon! Stay tuned you guys and thank you so much for supporting the musical endeavours of my mates and I!

"Die Probleem met Picasso" Album Now in Digital and Physical Print - THANK YOU LETTER!

Dear Friends

Since the music side of things with regards to "Die Probleem met Picasso" have now successfully been completed, I am urged to thank all who played a part and continue to play a part in this poignant tale about a brave little boy called Picasso. "Die Probleem met Picasso" is now available in digital format as well as physical print.



Thanks for all the nice emails and well wishes from my supporters. I am very happy that you guys are enjoying "Die Probleem met Picasso" digital and physical print editions. Thanks also to every one who played on the record and those involved in the short film. I love you guys! Thanks to Tania + Danie van den Berg for being my mom and dad away from home! You guys took me in when I was homeless and fed and clothed me when I was in need. You motivated me to finish what I started and reignited a sense of pride in my self and our culture. I feel protected, inspired, loved and part of the van den Berg family when ever I'm with you guys. Which is kinda 24 / 7. Sonder julle is ek niks. Dankie Tania en Danie. Ek is baie lief en dankbaar vir julle! Thanks Ymki, Tandie and Iewan van den Berg for being my sisters and baby brother away from home and for gracing the album with your amazing flute and concept art work. I love you guys tons! Iewan, you did a great job playing my lead in the film. Thanks for inspiring me so much with you never ending affirmation of life, art, philosophy, science and your innate moral character most striking for a 12 year old. You rock little bro!



Thank you Mrs. Marty Berry for all the help and support and for taking such good care of me in Austin and Bryson. You and the family continue to amaze me with your kindness great humor. Thank you Melssa, Sarah, Amber and Grandma. I love you girls dearly and can not wait to meet up with you all again! Take Care!



Thanks Uncle John April and the family for all the help and support in Waco. One of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much from you Uncle John! Thanks for looking after me and for having shown me the ropes. I still remember the day I arrived from Hollywood. All beat up and ready to give up. You breathed and joked and preach life back into me. I love you very much. Thank you Uncle John...I love you! Jy is regtig 'n oom duisend! Antie Yvette, Jaylen and Johnathan I miss and love you guys. We need to get together soon! Thanks for everything!



Thanks Jaco and Jen Conradie and the 3 little ones for taking me in when I came to Austin with no money or plans and very little sanity intact. Jaco, you are indeed a great friend to me and love you very much. Sorry that I cried so much that first day in Austin at the bus stop...I'm much more stable now. Thanks much you guys!



Thanks Jason Magnuson and DJ Pennington for working with me and my crazy ideas. You guys produced an amazing disc which I'm very proud of. Jason thanks for being my friend and for going far beyond the call of duty. Dude, I love you and I'm indebted to you forever. DJ you as well. If we ever get to heaven and there is only space left for one more person, I'll give up my spot in a heart beat. Not that I'll make it there (it = complicated). Your amazing moral character and talent amaze me every day. Nikye, you married the right guy. Thanks for kicking my arse when need be and for supporting me so much. You're a pal and partner in crime if ever there was. I love you dearly and um, the pup as well! Thanks for the great work you did on "Die Geheim" video. Genius!



Thanks to my favorite composer Mr. Olivier Deriviere! You have inspired me so much with you music and poise. Thanks for the well wishes and for taking the time to listen to me! Thanks George van der Spuy and the guys of Taxi Violence; South Africas best rock band ever. That "Letter to Tom Cruise" beat still rocks! Thanks to Sharlto Copley, my favorite South African born actor for inspire me and for listening to me. District 9 is one of favorite films ever. Thanks for paving the way Sharlto! Thanks Harry Knowles for taking the time to chat with me and for the well wishes. Also to Mr. Tim Leaugue for being most kind to me and allowing me access to some crazy behind the scenes parties at Fantastic Fest 2011. Also for all the support and advice. You are truly a great man!



Thanks Mr. Ben Blank for a great mastering job and for all the advice and words of wisdom. Thanks to everyone over at Media Tech / Arlan Studios for being so gracious with me and the crazy sessions the gang and I pulled (tried to pull) off (including the Catholic choir stint...would have been a nightmare most grand). Mr. Rob Fedson, you are amazing, thanks for everything! Domingo Gomez, thanks for engineering. I owe you at least 2 arms and 3 legs. Keep well and hope to be able to work with you in future once more. Mark Williams, thanks for writing and recording some of the most haunting and stirring cello parts I've heard to date on a contemporary album. Looking forward to working with again in the near future. And um, "Die Gehiem" kicks arse...quiet, still, cathartic.



JDub, Derreck Colman, Jay Martinez, Clayton, Henry Hilliard; thank you guys for additional vocal work on the record. I think we've sent out a strong message to that "Dodgy Priest" in question. He is not a man of God indeed and now he knows it! Thanks Henry for being my friend and for all the help, support, lessons! Thanks Shane Kiel for being such a great friend to me. I've had some of the best times of my life with you. Thanks for showing me the ropes and for having kept me alive! Wow, you are man and I love you very much! Thanks Joe Brently for the awesome drum track you banged out on "Strategies of Retribution..." Love you dude!



Mrs. Julia and Mr.Robert, thanks so much for being most kind to me. For all of the motivation and hospitality and for allowing DJ and myself to continue some of our recording over at your place. Thanks Mrs. Julia for recording flute with us very late at night, all the hugs and for your continued support. I'll be sure to trade a spot in heaven with you guys as well. Thanks to Randy Frank for all the support, cookies, Japanese Horror Films and for being such a good person to me! You are a great friend and I love you dearly. Thanks tons!



Thanks Paul Seeds for being one of my greatest friends ever. You've helped me so much with everything I do here. Music, Videos, Short Film... the most amazing breakfasts and so much more. I love you very much and the heaven thing goes for you as well! YOU ROCK DUDE!



Thanks Tyler Hayes, Ron Weisberg, Christina Childress, Dimitrius Pulido, Iewan van den Berg for the great work you guys did of the Picasso short film. I owe you guys so much and I apologise again for all of the delays pertaining to the final release of the short. You guys are amazing artists and I am sure that the film will kick some arse once released early 2011. Thanks for the long hours, the crazy script changes and for putting up with my general and clinical madness. I wish you guys all the best with your careers and um, first one to win an Oscar; could I at least take a pic with it? Love you guys and thanks again! Congrats Christina with your role = "The Good Guys!"



Thanks to all involved in the music videos created for Picasso project. I am most proud of our quirky little flicks... shaky camera, 15 minute wardrobe creations and all. What can I say but for; that's how we throw down! Nikye Pennington, Paul Seeds, Monica Figueroa, Stamatina Prekas, Dereck Coleman, Nick, Jason Magnuson, Erin Reynolds, Todd Wallace, Joey Mata, Jillian Schantz Patrick, Keller, Riley, Cara, DJ Pennington, Danie van den Berg, Tania van den Berg, Iewan and Tandie van den Berg, Rachel Holeman, Cindy and Kris Thompson, Katie and Jessica, Andrea and Taylor Landos, Beckie and Ashley Kristen Crawford (great actress) and all of Tandie's friends who help so much on the videos. Thanks so much! The guys over at Mexic Arte Museum. Thanks also to the folk over at the Hideout Theater and Coffee shop for allowing us to audition and film in your space. Thanks so much for all the hard work that went into telling our little story as best we could. I love you guys so much and will NEVER forget the time spent with you all making art!



Thanks also to my mom and dad, Magaret and Hubert Matthews for doing such a great job at raising my brothers, sisters and myself to be above all good people. Thanks for paying for all those piano lessons...through good and bad times. Thanks also for whipping my arse on days I did not want to continue those (sometimes) torturous lessons. Thanks Mamma for showing me that strength is not about physical ability but about internal resolve and conviction. Thanks for everything you have done for me in my life, you are the dearest being I know of and I'm most grateful for being an effect of your volition. Thanks for crying with me and laughing with me and fighting with me and nursing me and encouraging me and for taking me to the doctor when my acne got really bad! Yikes, things really got sticky there for a while! Mostly, thanks for being my mother...this reality makes me the most proud little man I know. EK IS LIEF VIR JOU! DANKIE VIR ALLES!



Thanks Pappa and Oupa for showing me and sharing with me the beauty of the human voice. My dad, late grandfather and the rest of the family have got amazing singing voices. I am humbled by having been given the opportunity to share my small gift with folk from across the world. I promise to one day make you proud of me Pappa! Thanks Uncle Lionel for supporting me so much and for all the pep talks and for having helped me make one giant step towards my dreams possible. I love and respect you as much as stars are a plenty as well as Antie Joe and Chrystal.



Avory, Jessica, Larry and Cammi; I love you guys so much! Thanks for believing in me and for crying with me when my life and future got a bit dark. For sharing in my joys and small victories on the path I've chosen to tread. It is hard, you guys make it so much easier! Thanks Wendy, Rowan, Bullah and all my nephews and nieces for hanging in there with me. I love you guys very much!



Thanks to my Beloved Antie Claire. You are one amazing lady! Thanks so much for all the support and great food and a place to rest my head when times got particularly hard. Die Kombers wat jy my gegee het hou my nou nog warm. Dankie! Sherman, Jonsie and Uncle Reggie. Thanks so much for all the support throughout my career and life. Sherman, I love you very much and I'm especially fond of you...you have the gift! Take the plunge?



I have this very special friend; Nasreen Hassan Dippenaar. Wow, what can I say...you've been amazing to me. You're the most courageous person I know. You inspire me so much in all I do. Our times at University were some of the best in my life. The fights, the self discovery, the make up lunch and make up nap times. The jokes, the tears, the lessons, the wedding, the other man...whom I love dearly. Niel, please take care of this girl. I warn you! Naz, this has been such a hard 2 years for you. I do not understand the why(s). I do know that you are a phoenix if ever a phoenix was. I've learned from you to no matter what happens; YOU PICK YOURSELF UP AND YOU TRY AGAIN! You're kind of my Mr. Miyagi! I LOVE YOU ALWAYS!



Thanks also to my family at large and all the friends I've made in America and across the globe. Without your selfless support and interest in my career and person hood, none of this would be possible. Thank you and I love you. And yes, the book is on it's way! Those who I forgot to mention, I sincerely apologise and thank you guys from the bottom of my soles (yep, the feet ones). Here's to art and our insatiable apatite as human to tell stories through the use of our hands, voices, minds and hearts!



I should also take a moment to thank Siddhartha Gautama. I am in awe of you. Thanks for setting such a great example.



Love and Repect;

Gerschweyn Matthews

The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine - Update.

After some consideration I've decided to postpone the release of my 2nd album, "The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine." The album will be released early 2011. I do hope for and appreciate your continued interest and support!

"The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine" - Raison d'être

"The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine" is my new concept record about an an Evil Record Label Boss, a Starving Artist and a Magical (Persian) Vending Machine capable of transforming an emaciated + lame singer songwriter into a Kick Arse Pop Star!

The musical context of the current record is very different from how I normally approach music and I must say that it took a lot of convincing from Producers Jay Martinez and Jason Martinez to get me, as you guys say "into the swing of things." Glad I did though as the writing process for this outing has really been a learning experience. Very often as singer and writer I tend to hide behind intellectualism preferring to write about "the other" in a very objective way. I do the research, I convince myself that an event in time or as experienced by a certain individual is "important" enough to engage with musically and morally. I think a lot of people who've heard my music often feel alienated by the subject matter of my songs, my accent and this gloomy post vampire like image I've carefully garnished myself in. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I take my self too seriously and in a very big way this reality has effectively alienated me from music buyers and appreciators...not a good move as a relatively unknown musician.

The new record is much more relaxed and fun...it shows that I do have a sense of humor and that good music does not need to regard intellectualism and discussions pertaining to morality. For the first time ever I've actually ventured into a recording booth without a vocal plan. I pretty much wrote the new batch of songs as a response to Jay and Jason's electronic wizardry. They have so much fun with music and I desperately need to have more with music in general; as per all of my friends' and musical peers' back round chatter. "Ok, guys! Chill out now...I'm trying to have fun here!"

The record does have a lot of piano work, odd time signatures, wordy lyrics, ethnic vocal chants and some references to Persian Religion and Gods such as Ahura Mazda. These traits are signature to me as a musician...this time however we mixed things up a lot with European inspired synth melodies and beats, video game like bit crushing and a brighter even romantic lyrical tone. I'm sure you guys will pick up on the "f!@ck the music business as it operates today" underlying theme throughout the whole record. I'm a lot funnier and approachable now than let's say a year back on the previous outing; "Die Probleem met Picasso" as produced by Jason Magnuson and DJ Pennington. I'll still kick your arse though on a night of debating issues pertaining to all things Religious, Political, Video Game Scores and Yada Yada Yada!

"The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine" is scheduled for release in December of 2010. Look out for the first single and accompanying video off the new record to be released in November of 2010. Thanks all the guys and girls working with me on this one aka Jason Martins, Jay Martinez, Nikye Pennington, Stamatina Prekas, Ymki van den Berg, DJ Pennington, Jason Magnuson, Paul Seeds and all the wonderful guys and girls who work with Nikye and Stamatina. I love, respect and appreciate you all very much. "Ek is niks sonder julle nie."

Best;
Gerschweyn Matthews

"Die Droom" Updates!

Dudes and girl dudes...check out Ymki van den Berg's new work! So excited to be working with this breathtakingly beautiful fine artist (her work and outer appearance) on our 15 minute film / photograph / music / fine art collage called "Die Droom." You all are such lucky bastards...the shit we do for "ya'll." Vrede! http://ymkivandenberg.wordpress.com/

Fantastic Fest 2010!

Fantastic Fest 2010 was amazing! Great to mingle with and learn from the big names in Art House Cinema. I really liked Damir Lukacevic's "Transfer" and Mladen Djordjevic's "The Life and Death of Porno Gang." Guillem Morales' "Julias Eyes" was pretty cool as well and looks great! Thanks again Tim and Paul for showing me the ropes and for dragging me along everywhere!

New Film Composition Track, "Water Wings" now up on Myspace!

Happy to be working with composer / producer DJ Pennington on a new music project. New Film Composition Track (guitar and vocals) uploaded to Myspace called "Water Wings." Tailor made for the new Gladiator Film?

Inge Beckmann and Gerschweyn Matthews Colab!

Very happy and honored to be working with SA singer songwriter, Inge
Beckmann of Lark on a new track to feature on "The Starving Artist
and the Enchanted Vending Machine." Inge is my favorite singer
songwriter ever... closely behind Bjork. She sports most impressive
...vocals, deliciously dark and whimsical musicality and the mysterious
beauty of a thousand fallen Ahura. Um, you guys are in for a bloody
treat!

Best;
Gerschweyn Matthews

The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine - Update!

Work on "The Starving Artist and the Enchanted Vending Machine" is going well. Thank you Jay Martinez, Jason Martins, Paul Seeds, Ymki van den Berg and Inge Beckmann for
working with me on the new concept piece about an Evil Record
Label Boss, a Starving Artist and a Magical (Persian) Vending...
Machine capable of transforming an emaciated + lame singer songwriter
into a Kick Arse Pop Star!

Joe "The Visualist" Harris and Gerschweyn Matthews Colab!

I'm very excited about working with film maker and video editor Joe The Visualist on "The Decapitation Peter Mueller." TDPM is a short film and film score project about a depressed writer who picks up a odd hitch hiker on route to his estranged family's house in "celebration" of his ailing mother's birthday. Harris is very much an "underground motion picture artist" currently getting much deserved attention for the trailer to his future release short called, "The Lonely Sound." Find more info on Joe Harris by visiting with him on Youtube, Facebook, Myspace, and Exposure Room.
1. Youtube.com/joethevisualist
2. Myspace.com/joethevisualist
3. Exposureroom.com/thelonelysound
4. http://www.facebook.com/#!/joethevisualist

Best;
Gerschweyn Matthews