It is my pleasure to announce the incredible lineup for the debut NYSC: Chicago concert!

Brian Mazzaferri: Frontman of the NES-Rock sensation I Fight Dragons.  Brian’s songs have already taken Chicago by storm as IFD’s debut EP pumps through thousands of iPod earbuds across the globe.  In a very special and rare solo appearance, Brian will showcase his fantastic voice and infectious songwriting.  Just a man, a guitar, and quite possibly a Game Boy or two.

“I Fight Dragons’ EP, “Cool is Just a Number,” offers such catchy hooks that “irresistible” feels like an understatement.” -Metromix.com

Heather Styka:  Hands down one of the best songwriters in Chicago, Heather writes music and lyrics that tear at your heart and leave you begging for more.  "Being a part of the folk scene has inspired me to write songs with depth," says Styka.  She has garnered the approval of folk veterans such as Tom Paxton. She was selected to perform as part of the juried showcase at Folk Alliance Regional Midwest (FARM) and has been interviewed on Tom May's nationally syndicated program, River City Folk.

IJ Quinn: This extremely talented musician and songwriter possesses one the best voices in independent rock today.  IJ’s songs are rock and pop fused with classic R&B/Soul, and listening to his debut album evokes comparisons to the legendary Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire.  The title track from “When They Want It The Most” was recently featured on NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” and with good reason—it’s an infectious, toe-tapping song that makes you want to get up, dance, and keep singing the chorus as you leave the club.  IJ has recently opened for artists such as Ingrid Michaelson, Landon Pigg, Ari Hest, Matt White, Josh Hoge and Ernie Halter.

Liza Day: Liza Day is an expert borrower. In the fall of 2005, she borrowed her parents' acoustic guitar in order to write a few songs for a college class. A few weeks later, she borrowed microphones and band instruments for her first demos. A few years, a few records, and a few Midwest tours later, she's keeping up the act.  Her songs take all of the best aspects of pop, rock, folk and country and her evocative voice carries her words effortlessly, creating a profound impression on those who watch her perform.

Matt Ryd: I’m the host and booking agent for NYSC: Chicago, and will also be performing in the debut circle!  I’m most easily classified as “pop/rock” and more tongue-twisterly defined as “a blended margarita of Rilo Kiley, Simon & Garfunkel and Journey .”  I’m a sucker for harmonies and perform live with Liana Modestas, who provides amazing backing vocals.  One the songs off my debut EP was featured on my favorite show (Scrubs on ABC).  The Chicago Independent Music Review says: “Matt Ryd has a smooth, raspy voice which is remarkably similar to John Mayer…  His songwriting is stellar.”  I’m ecstatic to be involved with NYSC, and am THRILLED about the lineup for our opening night.

Cobalt and the Hired Guns: One of the most fun bands in Chicago, Cobalt and the Hired Guns is a boot-stompin', tambourine-shakin', irresistibly genuine good time.  This incredibly energetic band will be closing out the night with one of the most upbeat acoustic performances you’ve ever seen, featuring their drummer on a make-shift drum kit of boxes, shakers, hand drums, tambourines, forks, bells, glassware, and anything else he can find.  Seamlessly blending upbeat genres from Americana to Ska, this dynamic four piece puts on a rambunctious show filled with sharp musicianship and emotion. Cobalt & the Hired Guns is about love and guts, energy and enthusiasm - refusing to pretend they aren't having fun.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that I have been mysteriously tweeting the date “September 1^st,” and promising “something awesome!”  I appreciate your patience, and it’s now about to pay off…

It is my pleasure to officially announce the launch of the New York Songwriters Circle: Chicago!  The New York Songwriters Circle is an almost 20-year-old organization that, at its launch, was focused on showcasing the best songwriting that New York had to offer.  Since its inception, it has grown and expanded to include an annual songwriting contest with more than $25,000 in prizes.  The NYSC has featured many famous songwriters and musicians, including Norah Jones, Gavin DeGraw, Dave Barnes, John Oates, Lisa Loeb, Vanessa Carlton… and the list continues!  Chicago-based band Company of Thieves won the songwriting contest in 2007, headlined an NYSC show at Madison Square Garden shortly thereafter, and soon landed a record deal.  NYSC has known for some time that Chicago is a hotbed of fantastic music and songwriting, and is now proud to announce the brand new Chicago branch of their organization.

The kickoff concert will take place at the famous Schubas Tavern on September 1^st, and will feature some of the best performers and songwriters that Chicago has to offer: Brian Mazzaferri, Heather Styka, IJ Quinn, Liza Day and Matt Ryd. 

Click here for the full details on each of the artists!

The concert will take place in a “singer in the round” format, with each artist performing a song, then proverbially passing the microphone to the next songwriter.  After several trips around the circle, the night will be closed by an upbeat, full-band acoustic performance by Chicago’s own Cobalt and the Hired Guns.

Event details:

Tuesday, September 1^st

Music begins at 8PM

Schubas Tavern: 3159 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK EVENT

Tickets are available now on Schubas.com

This is only the beginning, as NYSC: Chicago will continue to regularly showcase the greatest Chi-Town songwriters, as well as host fantastic musicians from across the country.

Anyone with questions or comments, and musicians interested in participating in future events, should email booking (at) mattryd (dot) com, or tweet me: @mattryd

19) My job is generally uneventful, but I get a few decent stories out of it.  My favorite incident occurred when I had to send a letter to a debtor of one of our clients.  This gentleman’s legal name is “James Nicholas.”  However, he will only respond if addressed by the name “The Reverend Jimmy Vegas.”  I was asking the attorney if I should address the letter, “Dear Mr. Nicholas.”  She says: “No.  Nono.  You need to write, ‘Dear The Reverend Jimmy Vegas.”   To the best of our knowledge, he is not now, nor has he ever been ordained in any formal religion.

20) I spend way too much time each day randomly browsing around YouTube.  I like to pretend that I'm doing "research" into "methods" of "online marketing."  I also like to think that if I put things in quotes, it makes them more believable.  I am wrong on both counts.

21) I drink a LOT.  And not in the whole "Oh, woe is me", drown-my-sorrows-in-whiskey, alcoholism sort of way, but just in terms of pure liquid consumption.  I mean, we're talking Nalgenes upon Nalgenes of water every day, enough coffee to single-handedly pay a Starbucks barista's daily wage, and more Big Gulps than are probably healthy.  There are two 7-11s within four blocks of my apartment.  I'm on a first name basis with each employee at both, and they all know me as "the thirsty guy."

22) When I worked at Caribou Coffee, my boss accused me of being zealously anti-corporate.  I told her that she was wrong, because I love Starbucks.  She didn't appreciate that particular response.

23) I've written approximately 75 complete songs in my lifetime (not counting the dozens of half-written segments that are still floating around).  Of those 75, there are 25 that I think are still worth playing for other people.  The 1:3 ratio of good songs:bad songs would be a little depressing, but most of the bad ones were written in high school and during my "Hey!  I've got a great idea!  I'll write Contemporary Christian Music!" phases.  I've gotten pretty good at self-editing.  So these days I rarely finish a song if it's going to suck.  Unless, of course, I have no clue which of my songs suck and which are good.  If that's the case, I'm probably in really big trouble.

24) I think of myself as a decent writer, but I don't actually know grammar.  Subjunctive, participles, split infinitives--these words mean absolutely nothing to me.  I can, however, tell what "feels" right and what doesn't.  9 times out of 10, I'm fairly close.  I like to think of this as the "Use the Force, Luke" strategy of writing.  The same goes for typing.  I have no clue what the home row is, or what it has to do with my finger placement.  Those little bumps on the "J" and "F" keys horribly confuse me.  I never use the left "Shift" key or the right "Ctrl" key.  Yet, somehow, I manage to write thesis-length blog posts like this.

25) I'm pretty sure that I think I'm funnier than I actually am.

The End!!!

- Matt