William Matheny (musician)
William Matheny (also known as Billy Matheny) is a Morgantown, West Virginia based singer-songwriter. Matheny was also a multi-instrumentalist for Southeast Engine and is currently a keyboardist and guitarist for The Paranoid Style. His musical style has been compared to the likes of Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Marshall Crenshaw, and The Modern Lovers’ Jonathan Richman.[1]
Not to be confused with William A. Matheny.
William Matheny | |
---|---|
Also known as | Billy Matheny |
Born | Mannington, West Virginia | August 10, 1984
Origin | Morgantown, West Virginia |
Genres | Country, rock |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
Instruments | voice, guitar, keyboard |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | Bar/None Records, Misra Records, Battle Worldwide Recordings |
Associated acts | Southeast Engine, The Paranoid Style, Tyler Childers, Rozwell Kid, Vandaveer |
Website | williammatheny |
Early life
Born in 1984 in Mannington, West Virginia, he is the grandson of Mansfield Matheny, lead singer for The Rhythm Rascals.[2] His great-grandfather was a gospel singer and his father was a bluegrass guitarist. Matheny claims to have been performing with bands as a guitarist since the age of nine. He became the drummer of Cheap Truckers’ Speed[3] as a teenager, eventually moving to Morgantown and becoming a musician-for-hire.
Musical career
In 2008, Matheny joined the band Southeast Engine as a pianist and organ player.[4] He remained with the band until it went on "indefinite hiatus" at the end of 2012. Since that time, Matheny has continued to serve as a musician for The Paranoid Style (featuring Timothy Bracy of The Mendoza Line and Slow Dazzle) and Todd Burge,[2] among others. He and his band have been writing and recording the album that would eventually become Strange Constellations since 2013.[4] Matheny has appeared on the West Virginia Public Broadcasting program Mountain Stage a total of four times to date, both as a solo artist and as a member of a band.[2]
Current live band members[4]
Discography
As Billy Matheny
With The Paranoid style
As William Matheny
- Blood Moon Singer EP (self-released, 2016)[4]
- Strange Constellations (Misra Records, 2017)[14]
- Moon Over Kenova (Misra Records, 2018)[15]
- Flashes & Cables/Christian Name 7" (Misra Records, 2018)[16]
References
- "Left of the Dial: Morgantown musician's songs of observation". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- Thomas, Joni Deutsch, Nathan. "Front and Center with Morgantown's William Matheny". Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- Slisz, Carin. "Cheap Truckers' Speed reunites after four years". The Daily Athenaeum. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- "The Sideman Steps Out". Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- "Billy Matheny – Billy Matheny | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- "Born of Frustration – Billy Matheny | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- "Canary – Southeast Engine | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- "New "Canaanville" EP & T-Shirt Album | Southeast Engine". southeastengine.com. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- "Southeast Engine – "Canaanville"". Misra Records. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- Christgau, Robert (March 27, 2015). "Robert Christgau: Expert Witness – Cuepoint". Medium. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- "The Paranoid Style | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- "Album Credits for Rolling Disclosure". paranoidstyle.tumblr.com. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- http://www.theweeklings.com/oking/2017/10/08/an-interview-with-the-paranoid-styles-elizabeth-nelson/
- "LISTEN: William Matheny, 'Blood Moon Singer'". The Bluegrass Situation. November 18, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- https://www.popmatters.com/william-matheny-moon-over-kenova-2540932599.html
- "William Matheny Covers Centro-matic's "Flashes And Cables" " American Songwriter". American Songwriter. August 29, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.