MATTHEW SHAW
"Convenience" EP
Release Date: November 2005


Since his days growing up in California, Matthew Shaw has shed the bright southwestern sunshine and fully embraced the grey of his current landscape, Seattle, Washington. Following the success of his 2004 full length "Ghosts in the Concrete," Shaw unveils his brand new EP "Convenience" finding influence and comparison from artists such as John Vanderslice, Headphones (Pedro the Lion's David Bazan), and even stretching to Jawbreaker and Statistics.

Continuing the bittersweet indie pop of "Ghosts in the Concrete," "Convenience" also shows Matthew Shaw expanding his sound to include live drums, strings, and even darker synth, at times giving the record more of an organic, full band feel. Not satisfied with producing one consistent sound, and inspired by his time spent on stage supporting "Ghosts," Shaw has pushed himself to take steps outside of his comfort zone. Creating and evolving, "Convenience" was given a fresh sound while Matthew explored the monotony of relationships and lost love.

With the support of Burning Building Recordings and the Northwest music community, "Convenience" is primed to elevate Matthew to new heights showing people the versatility and sincerity of this great songwriter.



"Following up his debut release, Matthew pushes his sound even further to show he's one of the most talented musicians in town. Not a bad song on here (Convenience)."
John Richards - Program Director & DJ @ KEXP 90.3 / 91.7FM

"…Matthew Shaw plays simple, emotional electropop - à la the Postal Service, were they fronted by Bright Eyes. Shaw has taken sensitive-guitar-strummer syndrome to the next level, lamenting over icy synths and stuttering drum machines about issues that cloud both his heart and his effects processors."
Jennifer Maerz @ The Stranger

"...Shining up the glean on indie pop, Matthew Shaw pops and weaves his way through masterful synth pop. His sound is so unbelievably versatile and his knack for writing hooks and glitch riddled electronica is uncanny. Vocally he's raw and stripped down which complements the large breadth of the mix… Singer/songwriters this talented are few and far between; Matthew Shaw is not only a genius singer/songwriter, he's liable to take the whole damn she-bang with him. The only disappointment is that this is a mere EP and twenty some minutes isn't enough to satisfy your increasing hunger for indie pop this brilliant. Not owning this EP (Convenience) is a sin."
J-Sin @ Smother.net

"… the listener will hear layers of keyboard melodies and drum machine burps and cool tiny riffs beneath the five songs on Matthew Shaw's lively yet polished Convenience. Every melancholy but madly memorable chorus is a keeper, especially on "Deadlines & Days Off" and "Quicksand." More than that, the EP has songs written out with sharp details about feeling creepy ("Today I have figured out that I am the asshole that plagues your life" from the anthemic "Quicksand"), romantic failure, selfishness, the whole dung-hill of "the hell that is other people" (thanks Capricorn Jean-Paul!). Fans of Grandaddy will love this, or anybody who likes delightfully-recorded bedroom tweak-pop.
Chris Estey @ Threeimaginarygirls.com