Interview with Guitarist Matt Thomas
An inspiring and virtuosic fingerstyle player, Matt Thomas is also deeply knowledgeable and passionate about the world of boutique luthier-built guitars. He may even be considering a move into building himself! All told, he's the perfect non-luthier guest for this luthier series, able to nerd out about music and guitar craft in equal measure.
In our chat, he shares his musical history and inspirations, from his wins at the Walnut Valley International Fingerstyle and Home of the Legends International Thumbpicking competitions; his long-running musical partnership with Dustin Furlow; to sharing the stage with legends like Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Kelsey, Stephen Bennett, among others. Through our discussion of his collaboration with Jeff Jewitt for his signature OM-C, we explore how our relationship to the instruments we play shapes our musical experience, and discuss the value of partnering with a great luthier to create your perfect guitar.
"Matt Thomas impressed me with his musical taste and clever use of dynamics. His knowledge of unorthodox guitar techniques is at the service of music and his arrangements are remarkable and engaging. Bravo Matt!!" -Peppino D'Agostino
For the intro, Matt plays his arrangement of "Ashokan Farewell" on his custom Jewitt OM-C Cocobolo, and his original "Sky's Eyes" on a Skytop Grand Concert Maple is used for the outdo.
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