A Chicago native, Matt Kanelos studied classical and jazz piano at
Chicago Musical College before moving to New York City. He
developed his songwriting concept while studying creative writing at
the City College of New York. Matt's lyrical stylings and minimalist
musical aesthetic bring to mind influences such as Neil Young, Bob
Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Will Oldham, Cat Power, Miles Davis, and
Keith Jarrett. Performing regularly in New York, as well as Chicago,
Boston, and Seattle, he has collaborated with Noam Weinstein, Rose
Polenzani, Jenifer Jackson, Jodi Shaw, Serena Jost, Sam Kenny, Roland
Satterwhite, and Jason Liebman as well as members of Califone and
Elysian Fields.

In 2008, Matt formed the band The Smooth Maria with Ben Gallina,
Conor Meehan, and Kyle Sanna. The Smooth Maria have attracted a
dedicated audience in New York City with their unique balance of
refined musicianship and vivid poetry. They perform frequently at
acclaimed New York music venues like the Living Room, the
Rockwood Music Hall, and Barbès. They are currently working on
their first full-length CD, “Silent Show,” due for release in the spring
of 2009.

lyrics:
WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO
(featured on Private Practice episode 312)


The voices shout across the line
Hey grandma we’re all feeling fine
It sure is hard to be apart
But our TV show’s about to start
So soon we gotta get goin’

Does she still know they’re the ones?
Her favorite daughter’s favorite sons
They say their names, she says ‘em back
Things go white before they fade to black
And the kids keep growin’

My clothes are dirty but my hands are clean
You say time’s short and I know what you mean
You say you’re worried, I say I am too
It’s okay, that’s what you’re supposed to do
And the wind keeps blowin’

The dog’s rolling on the floor
Grandpa stands inside the door
He says he knows our history
He says things ain’t what they used to be
I guess some things are worth knowin’

My clothes are dirty but my hands are clean
You say time’s short and I know what you mean
You say you care, I say I do too
It’s okay, that’s what you’re supposed to do
And the wind keeps blowin’

Now grandpa lays his baby down
He spreads the ashes on the ground
It’s getting cold so he goes back in
The streets they fill with kids again
And the sky starts snowin’

My clothes are dirty but my hands are clean
You say life’s short and I know what you mean
You say you love me, I say I love you
It’s okay, that’s what you’re supposed to do
And the wind keeps blowin’