Chances are if you are reading this blog right now I do not need to explain why this is important. I have been lucky enough to consider Matt Smith not just a guy who books artists, runs sound, fosters community, and wears about 1,000 other hats at the best listening room in the country but he has also become a dear friend and someone who has been incredibly supportive of this music publication and also me as an artist. The thing is, is that last sentence likely rings true for hundreds of other folks. Matt is a true gem in the music community around town and the fact that he has been here hoisting up others for 2 decades now, well that is just something incredible. To the many of 1,000 hats, my hat is off to you. Thank you for all you do my friend…
And, as a reminder of how much this community loves this guy, we revisit some quotes about Matt from some of the people he has supported so much over the year.
“Matt has become one of most watched and respected people in the business. He has earned a reputation for identifying great new talent and also for providing opportunities for these acts to develop,” said Dan Hogan, former Executive Director of Passim. “Matt keeps us relevant to the music community both locally…”
“Matt Smith is the beating heart of a room where music flourishes night after night. He goes about the superhero task of enriching a community with understated wit and charm. Plus he can bowl candlestick with passing competence and occasional panache.” – Peter Mulvey , musician
“Matt Smith is the kind of person you meet and are immediately put at ease, because he is professional, organized, and weirder/funnier than you are. In the landscape he lives in, this is vital to the running of a world renowned venue that does 380 (?) shows a year.” – Jake Hill , musician
“I would say Matt is at the absolute center of what makes this a great music town, not just for folk and roots, but for all kinds of music. Besides being an all around great guy, first and foremost he is a music fan, always aware of new talent while staying in touch with the many people he has helped launch into full fledged music careers. Through the carefully chosen Campfire series he has given unknown acts a shot at wider exposure and the percentage of those who have gone on to bigger things is remarkable, including the now ever present Lake Street Dive. The thing that says the most to me about Matt though is that on any given night he is not working the board at Passim he is just as likely to be in the audience at Toad or the Lizard Lounge just because he likes music so much. Amazing.” – Dinty Child , musician
“In my mind, Matt Smith’s passion and dedication to live music qualify him as an honorary musician.”- Laurence Scudder , musician
“Matt Smith. He is a tireless optimist when it comes to new music, young music, and somehow still keeps the whole scene grounded. His campfire festival, seasonal local festival stages, commitment to folk music education, and his always-mindful bill-pairings are a big part of why the Boston scene keeps connecting its alumni writers to the fresh writing and performing constantly rising up out of the Boston music academe. What a practical, sleepless visionary we have in him!” – Rose Polenzani , musician
“Matt’s years of work here have made Passim what it is today. He definitely carries on the Passim legacy for presenting great folk music, but he’s a huge driving force for developing new music of all genres. Just look at Lake Street Dive, the Milk Carton Kids, or Josh Ritter, who all played here early on in their careers. Passim is an amazing place for artists to develop and Matt’s devotion to new music is the biggest reason for that. That all influences the work I do here too – a spirit of community and passion for music have remain in the DNA of the organization, even after 50 years, because of Matt.” – Jon Dorn , Passim Program Manager / Musician
“Matt is a longtime and valued contributor to the music scene in Harvard Square through his work at Passim. He is particularly revered as a contemporary folk music presenter who thoroughly understands and appreciates traditional folk music and its historical roots. We work closely with Matt to promote Passim, as well as other Harvard Square festivals, including Oktoberfest, Mayfair, Folk Music Month, Fete de la Musique and Passim’s annual summer concert series. He is a consummate professional and hard worker. We rely on his musical instinct, sharp intellect and dedication…” – Denise Jillson, Exec. Director, Harvard Square Business Association
“When I was at Berklee everyone knew that Passim was the place to play and Matt Smith was the guy you had to impress… I called Matt, “Mike” for the entirety of the first Whiskey Boys show ever at Club Passim, which was a huge deal for us. Out of extreme generosity he never corrected me” – David Delaney, musician
“Matt Smith is as important to this generation of musicians as folks like Betsy Siggins and Jim Rooney were to earlier generations. Through his work at Passim, he has not only maintained but advanced the standing of folk music in this community.”- Ian Fitzgerald, musician
“Matt is one of the most encouraging people I‘ve ever met. He brings a great energy to Club Passim and the local music scene.” – Lyle Brewer, musician
“Working with Matt at Club Passim is an incredible learning experience. He’s the exception to the rule that people become jaded working in the music business, because Matt is one of the most enthusiastic supporters of music and musicians that I have ever met. A quick glance at Passim’s calendar confirms that his taste is impeccable as well, he was one of the earliest supporters of groups like Lake Street Dive, Della Mae, and many more who have gone on to huge success. As a musician, I find that despite the intimidation factor of Club Passim and its legacy, he is very approachable and willing to work with artists at all phases of their career, from their first open mic to headlining slots.” – Patrick Coman, former Passim sound engineer, musician, radio show host