I'm Coming Home

[mattsmith]

Today I was walking towards the Piata Romana subway like I had so many times before. I passed the little corner where a big art gallery hides the Art Jazz Club then stopped to look accross the busiest street in Eastern Europe towards the Intercontinental Hotel facing the other direction.

Then I just stopped ...looked around and decided it was enough.

When the TV show wraps up and I finish the jazz tour in Montenegro, that will be it.

Two years here is enough. I'm coming home.

I got a lot out of this place and I'll take away a lifetime of memories but I'm an American and that's how I feel it...the music, the attitude, the vibe...everything.

What's even more incredible is that I really don't have a plan but I've got to think one will make itself known. I just have to do this because I feel the next step is the real one. I've done a lot of ground work and I'm better.

So now it's time to find a gig.

A real one.

Yep, I know the music line in America is longer than any other, but hopefully all this shortened it up a bit. I've been pretty close already. Now it's time to get over the hump. I plan to leave enough connection here to come back to finish a couple of things, but by the fall I'm dug back in.

If anyone in The States is looking for a drummer...loves jazz most but adapts to all styles then I'm your man. And as impulse as all this is...I feel like it's the right move.

[LukeSnyder]

Originally Posted by mattsmith

Today I was walking towards the Piata Romana subway like I had so many times before. I passed the little corner where a big art gallery hides the Art Jazz Club then stopped to look accross the busiest street in Eastern Europe towards the Intercontinental Hotel facing the other direction.

Then I just stopped ...looked around and decided this was enough.

When the TV show wraps up and I finish the jazz tour in Montenegro, that will be it.

Two years here is enough. I'm coming home.

I got a lot out of this place and I'll take away a lifetime of memories but I'm an American and that's how I feel it...the music, the attitude, the vibe...everything.

What's even more incredible is that I really don't have a plan but I've got to think one will make itself known. I just have to do this because I feel the next step is the real one. I've done a lot of ground work and I'm better.

So now it's time to find a gig.

A real one.

Yep, I know the music line in America is longer than any other, but hopefully all this shortened it up a bit. I've been pretty close already. Now it's time to get over the hump. I plan to leave enough connection here to come back to finish a couple of things, but by the fall I'm dug back in.

If anyone is looking for a drummer...loves jazz most but adapts to all styles then I'm your man. And as impulse as all this is...I feel like it's the right move.

Matt, I haven't interacted much with you directly, but I've seen you around the internet quite a bit over the last few years. I'm always impressed with the way you handle yourself, as well as your killer drumming abilities. I wish you the best of luck in your search for the next gig. If you're ever near York, PA, make sure to contact me and we'll meet up and talk drums ;D

[Pollyanna]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFpfureaCVs

:)

It will be interesting to see how things pan out for you back in the US, Matt. It's a helluva tough biz but from what I've heard you have the talent and done the hard yards so you should do well if Lady Luck gives you an even break.

[Mapex----Maniac]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-ImC...eature=related

:)

[larryace]

I can feel it coming across in your post. You're centered and decided. This is gonna be good. It must be exciting to know that your "groundwork" is complete, and that it's time to dispose w/ the "preliminaries" and whip your bad self on the States. I'm curious to see where you land. What state will be your home?

I'll arrange a ticker tape parade lol.

[Bo Eder]

Good luck coming home Matt! I can actually arrange for a real parade for you if you can make it out to Disneyland when you get in ;)

[DrumEatDrum]

Cool Matt.

Where in the US? I assume you mean the East Coast. But if you decide on LA, we'll go hang at the Baked Potato or something.

[eddiehimself]

It's probably a good idea. You've established an eastern european prescence and now it's time to move on to different things before you end up being seen as going stale. Good luck mate :)

Matt, you have the right attitude and work ethic to make it. I'm sure you'll have no problem finding yourself a serious gig in the States.

[mattsmith]

Thanks everybody.

No I don't have a particular place although I want to tour and/or latch on with something established. Sure jazz is in there, but if somebody hears about a pop, rock or hip hop gig or some established band's audition in most any genre I want to be there. In fact some of you might recall that I was one of the first people talked about for the Smashing Pumpkins gig a couple of years ago when they started the whole concept of going with the relatively unknown super young guy. It was even being talked about on Billy Corgan's site and to this day I have no idea what started it. Yeah I was a little disappointed when that whole deal suddenly dried up, but now since I learned so many lessons here I'm now believing that timing occurs for a reason.

East coast, west coast ...in the middle... or all of it. It can be any music based endeavor that's trying to get somewhere but is already past the dreaming stage. Right now it can be a reality show in LA. That's how open I am. I'm also not altogether an unknown so there must be some nickels and dimes out there. No wait a minute...shoot high...definitely 5s and 10s.

Thanks again. I wasn't thinking my ephiphany would actually get responses. Much appreciated.

[aydee]

...

I have a good feeling about this.

First off, I think its incredible that you did this " discover the world outside" stint abroad. Speaks volumes of a fine attitude towards living life and living your music. Most people cant do this and even if they can, they'd rather not. What a wealth of experience you must have gained..

I also feel, perhaps this is the right time for you to throw yourself in the deep end. Playing with cats better than yourself. Its a good rule to try and go by.

For that reason alone, I'd love to see you in NYC. Tough market, tough to break in but worth a shot for a guy with your skills, reputation, and the love of the kind of music you love. I know a lot of NYC guys have up and left for Nashville because there's more work there, I still think, there enough and it 's worth a serious crack for you.

Anyhow, whatever you choose to do, if you do it with this attitude, its bound to work like gangbusters.

good luck.

PS- Any hey, I'm seeing big music festivals in your future too..

[mattsmith]

Thanks so much to all for the surprising number of very tangible reentry ideas via pm and elsewhere. I think I am going to try to be back for summer NAMM in Nashville and I have a pass wrangled if I do some promotional work for an old friend I haven't seen in 3 years. Maybe I'll see some of you there.

[DogBreath]

Clicky Linky.

Keep us posted, Matt.

[keep it simple]

Just stumbled across this Matt. I think everything has been said, & somehow I feel you'll land running. How do you look in a mouse suit? Oh, sorry, that gig's already taken, lol!

I see you in some form of creative association whilst gigging to allow your creative side to flow. I know you've had desires to merge jazz & modern/electro forms. I just hope you find a way to bring that to fruition. Take your time, you've got plenty of it.

[8Mile]

Way to go, Matt. You're a focused guy who knows what he wants and how to get it. It's pretty easy to tell, just by the words you've written, that you're ready for this.

Hey, if you happen to find yourself in the Southeast Michigan area for any reason, you'll have to let me know. I'm a gracious host. Yeah, I'll probably try to mooch free advice about technique from you but the drinks and food will be on me :)

Best of luck, man. I know you'll keep us all posted. If I hear of anything, I'll let you know.

[jon e rotten]

You've certainly got the drumming part down. If someone of your ability can't catch a break.....eek.

[con struct]

Matt, why not go back to school? If I were your age and in your position I'd go for a scholarship at the Manhattan School of Music.

One of my favorite bass players, Jeff Koch, recently graduated from that school and he's already done a European tour. He plays all over New York, he's building a solid and he's definitely going places. He's the real deal.

Surely you'd be more than eligible for a scholarship there.

[gusty]

Originally Posted by jon e rotten

You've certainly got the drumming part down. If someone of your ability can't catch a break.....eek.

Ha! I usually think this.

[larryace]

I would hope that if you reach ever the level that Matt is, a profitable career in drumming is guaranteed.

But there's no guarantees.

[mattsmith]

Originally Posted by larryace

I would hope that if you reach ever the level that Matt is, a profitable career in drumming is guaranteed.

But there's no guarantees.

Thanks Larry but I definitely have weaknesses believe me. For one thing my reading is still nothing close to where I need to have it and there are some classical chops and mallets playing that I've unfortunately almost walked away from. So I've got to keep working. Then there are just times when you want to chill and lately I've started to get a little nonproductive out here. I know the TV show is kind of a body of work. But there needs to be a better branch out. I also think I could do a decent drum clinic and I would be a less expensive alternative for the place that wanted ultra famous until they found out how expensive he/she was.

Right now my biggest obstacle is still age. Guys I would like to be playing with call the age card... as do older drummers who don't want me in their club. But if I'm leading the band then that's supposed to be really good. But if I start all that when I'm 25 then the industry says I'm too old to be a young up and comer. But if I join some rock band as a member then age doesn't factor but I'm pigeonholed.

Seriously...it's all pretty stupid and a juggling act. But it also seems to be the game that goes on.

And yeah I want more school for sure. But I'm not walking away from biz contacts to immerse myself in a system and get the fish eye from my peers at the music school. AIM was one thing. That was a one year get it together program. But doing the 4 year is a way of life, although I'm ready again for a serious mentor/teacher.

My idea is to get myself set up and established THEN go back to school on my own terms. I'm also not altogether sure that my major would be music anyway. But school would have to be where the gigs already were.

Lot to think about for sure.

[inneedofgrace]

I thought this thread was going to be about the Doughtry song. LOL

Good luck Matt!

[mattsmith]

Well it's official now. My folks showed up in Bucharest yesterday with surprise plane tickets to The States. So in just a few hours I'll be boarding a plane home. I'll be hanging in North Carolina for a little R&R then on to Summer NAMM in Nashville on the evening of the 23rd.

Let it all begin.

[chaymus]

Safe travels .

Originally Posted by mattsmith

Well it's official now. My folks showed up in Bucharest yesterday with surprise plane tickets to The States. So in just a few hours I'll be boarding a plane home. I'll be hanging in North Carolina for a little R&R then on to Summer NAMM in Nashville on the evening of the 23rd.

Let it all begin.

Safe journey Matt, hope all goes well back home!

[DrumEatDrum]

Originally Posted by mattsmith

Well it's official now. My folks showed up in Bucharest yesterday with surprise plane tickets to The States. So in just a few hours I'll be boarding a plane home. I'll be hanging in North Carolina for a little R&R then on to Summer NAMM in Nashville on the evening of the 23rd.

Let it all begin.

Well, that was quick!

Hopefully you'll also make it out to Winter NAMM in January.

[mattsmith]

Well...after a stressful adventure I'm back in the US sitting at my grandparents' kitchen table.

Customs officials in Bucharest stupidly confiscated my cymbals when I tried to bring them on a plane in the normal regulation cymbal bag. They claimed they were lethal weapons then after a half hour fight allowed me to put them under the plane (only 20 minutes before takeoff) for an additional 50 Euro ...followed by a handshake I witnessed by the same customs official and the extra baggage coupon distributor. I assumed he pulled the whole stunt for half the money ...a common gimmick here. While in the back taking care of this, the same customs official removed my best crash and positioned it like a discus thrower pretending to throw it...laughing like a fool. I'm not even going to get into the hassles about the extra baggage weight and the greasy palm negotiations related to that.

But all that's behind me. I'm back. Now to relax for a couple of days ...then get it together.

[chaymus]

Originally Posted by mattsmith

Well...after a stressful adventure I'm back in the US sitting at my grandparents' kitchen table.

Customs officials in Bucharest stupidly confiscated my cymbals when I tried to bring them on a plane in the normal regulation cymbal bag. They claimed they were lethal weapons then after a half hour fight allowed me to put them under the plane (only 20 minutes before takeoff) for an additional 50 Euro ...followed by a handshake I witnessed by the same customs official and the extra baggage coupon distributor. I assumed he pulled the whole stunt for half the money ...a common gimmick here. While in the back taking care of this, the same customs official removed my best crash and positioned it like a discus thrower pretending to throw it...laughing like a fool. I'm not even going to get into the hassles about the extra baggage weight and the greasy palm negotiations related to that.

But all that's behind me. I'm back. Now to relax for a couple of days ...then get it together.

Wow. This jag-off really is making the world a better and safer place.

[mattsmith]

I will be at Summer NAMM in Nashville this coming Friday and Saturday.

Anyone else coming?

[mattsmith]

Was at the much smaller Summer NAMM in Nashville this past weekend where I was pleased to MC and officiate the WFD Finals on Saturday. The hosting gig was kind of last minute seeing as how I had not been a part speed drumming for over 3 years. Actually it only went down a couple of weeks ago. But it turned out to be a good decision. I did some good side business on the trade room floor which was a big relief and it was really cool to see Boo McAfee and the old gang. They dedicated this year's comp to Jim Chapin which made sense considering how many comps he had attended.

A very talented guy came all the way from Sydney Australia to win the new hands title and had set up his participation as a fund raising campaign to fight cancer, where he lined up people back home to donate for every official stroke. What a great thing to do ...and seeing as how he won the finals and set the Australian record in the prelims, it was a succesful weekend for everyone...and for all the right reasons.

OK...now on to the next step.

[gwaco]

Awesome Matt! Glad to hear you made it back and jumped right back in the saddle, even if it was only to officiate and MC.

[mattsmith]

Originally Posted by gwaco

Awesome Matt! Glad to hear you made it back and jumped right back in the saddle, even if it was only to officiate and MC.

Thanks Gary and I very much appreciated your helpful pms when I was still in Europe. I was honored to officiate the championship round of WFD's big comeback. It was a pleasure to give back to Boo after he had been so nice to me in earlier times. Besides it was a lot of fun. I only wished we had seen an appearence from Tom. His absence was noticed by all. I jokingly made my first speed run in over 3 years and was kind of surprised that I performed as well as I did.
__________________

[mattsmith]

Well, it looks like I'm going to start out for a while in Nashville. I've hooked up with a close by place to stay and have some minor chores already in the offing. But I would love to hear from you Nashville guys about possible hookups as soon as possible. It's starting to feel good. Last month when I was at Summer NAMM it had a good feel and suited me for the time being. I know it's a tough town to break into so any advice is welcome and appreciated.

[gwaco]

Good to hear your "adjusting" well to life back in the States. If things don't work in Nashville you can always head South!

[mattsmith]

Originally Posted by gwaco

Good to hear your "adjusting" well to life back in the States. If things don't work in Nashville you can always head South!

Yeah I probably could go your way. But I better try this first. I need a base I can afford until I start hooking up. I might start up a separate Nashville inquiry thread to hear from some of our members who live out there.

[Swiss Matthias]

Hey Matt! How did your travel to Eastern Europe come in the first place? Is it kind
of "easier to get gigs" in countries like Romania and Montenegro, or wasn't that your
main concern? I suppose you weren't the only good drummer there, were you?
Did you meet any Americans living there?

[mattsmith]

Originally Posted by Swiss Matthias

Hey Matt! How did your travel to Eastern Europe come in the first place? Is it kind
of "easier to get gigs" in countries like Romania and Montenegro, or wasn't that your
main concern? I suppose you weren't the only good drummer there, were you?
Did you meet any Americans living there?

I went to middle school in Romania when the family moved there via my dad's acceptance of a two year Senior Fulbright Professorship at the National Conservatory of Music in Bucharest. At that time I studied twice a week with Romania's greatest drummer Vlad Popescu and he became the mentor who seriously got me going. So I already knew my way around Bucharest, had been going back every couple of years when Dad would have his summer music camp, and knew that for Europe things were pretty cheap. Yeah, it's easier to get gigs out that way because so many of the artists have taken off to the west to stake their claim after being stuck for so many years. When Romania joined the EU 4 years ago the place kind of emptied out. So perfect for me. There were probably a dozen full time drummers there and Vlad remained the best one, but was always tied up in somebody's house gig. So that opened things up for me. But the money was never good so you always knew things were temporary.

I saw few Americans except those passing through.

[Swiss Matthias]

Hey, thanks for the reply! That certainly clarifies everything :).
I'm sure it was a very nice and precious experience.

By the way, Gergo Borlai is one of the very few drummers I know (not personally)
from Eastern Europe, and obviously he's a freakishly good. I wonder if he plays
outside his country? Have you met him?

Anyway, I wish you all the best back in the US, may great gigs be waiting for you!

[mattsmith]

No Swiss, I never ran into Borali. I wish I had.

Well, it's set. On Saturday, somebody meets me at the bus in downtown Nashville. I'm going to stay at a guy's house I've known for several years about a half hour outside of town. At first I'll work on some video production and get to work on co authoring a simple method book and a hands video where they want me to show people how to do that thumb trad gip thing. Food is in the every day picture. Then until I become more wheels efficient there's another guy who will get me into town until I figure out exactly how Broadway St. works.

If one of you Nashville guys wants a reliable new guy cheap for subbing, booking or anything else, pm me. I'm your guy.

The new adventure begins.

[con struct]

Matt, once you arrive in Nashville get in touch with Dave Martin at Java Jive studio. He's a hell of a nice guy, a top-notch player and he knows what's what and who's who.

Tell him that Jay sent you his way.