Born and raised in Belgrade, Mont., Matt Coughlin eventually ventured to Tacoma by way of attending Pacific Lutheran University for music. At a young age, Coughlin realized that he was skilled at both vocal and guitar-based music and soon began honing these skills on a classical level.
His formal training, alongside strong influences of jazz, folk, rock and choral music have all helped cement Coughlin’s signature raspy voice and deep tone. In 2004 Coughlin laid down tracks for his first EP, “Let It Go,” with producer Zach Varnell, and came to meet a few other talented musicians to round out his sound including Sam Collins, jazz-influenced upright and electric bass player. Dalton Shotwell, a drummer from California, came along and solidified the trio with much needed percussion. After playing Tacoma’s local bars the group added Phil O’Sullivan on lead guitar.
Matt Coughlin and the Growlers, as they now exist, have a multitude of references and successfully combine rock ‘n roll, country, folk, funk and jazz to blend with Coughlin’s melodious voice and create a tight-sounding, technically proficient outfit that combines their musical essences.
Their first nine-track CD (with three bonus tracks) as a group is the soon to be released “Live at the Dive,” and it is filled with tracks that diehard fans may recognize as it is recorded from two shows at the Swiss and the High Dive.
The second track off the album, “Miss Fortune,” offers up some variety with electric guitar, violin, quick-paced drums and Coughlin’s signature voice. “Leave me with my burdens/ doesn’t have to have you around but I need you all the same,” tells of a woman who is bad news but oh so rough to shake.
Slower-paced, darker tuned “Take Me Away” offers up background vocals, violin and lots of percussion to round it all out. “I’d give it all another chance to take me away/ save me from another day/ this can’t be for real/ ‘cause I can’t feel the rain” bring the chorus about and preps for a musical break that really emphasizes the band’s range and ability to build up sounds, mesmerize and inspire emotion.
“Working Man” starts out raucous and rocking, with fast-paced guitars and the violin blazing. “Just in case there’s some logs for the burnin’ and now bourbon isn’t hard to find,” nods the band’s country roots, with a down-home, Midwest life infused tune that sounds as though it should be played on a front porch, accompanied by homemade instruments.
The production on the record is tight, despite the fact that it was recorded at two different live venues with different sound systems. It sounds just as good if not better than the live experience, and fully highlights Coughlin and bandmates’ abilities to fill up a venue and leave every attendant pleased they came to see the show.
Matt Coughlin and the Growlers play the Mars Bar in Seattle on Sept. 11 at 9 p.m., their CD release party for “Live at the Dive” at the Swiss on Sept. 22 at 8:30 p.m. and at Jazzbones on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. For more information, to hear the band’s songs, or to see other upcoming show dates, visit their website at www.mattcoughlin.com
