MATISYAHU

Creativity is like a fire in a fireplace: You have to tend it or it will go out. For nearly two decades, Matisyahu has kept his creative spirit aflame by evolving his sound, melding genres, and testing the limits of the musical traditions that have inspired him. His latest release, Hold The Fire, and its leadoff single “Fireproof” takes inspiration from a fire dream inspired by Matisyahu's Old Testament religion, which has meant so much to his spiritual and creative life since his recording career began in 2004 and his breakout track "King Without a Crown" blasted into the Billboard charts in 2005. In a roundabout way, those same Old Testament roots springboarded Matisyahu's music career.

Growing up outside New York City, the young Matthew Miller followed jam bands like Phish and the Grateful Dead. Then, in Bob Marley and reggae, he found that the messaging of Rastafarianism was sourced in part from that same Old Testament. The sound that emerged on his first albums—including his first two studio releases as well as 2005's Gold-certified Live at Stubb's—embraced both the spirit of reggae and his spirituality and roots in Judaism. Buoyed by hits like "King Without a Crown," albums like the Grammy-nominated and Billboard No.1-ranked Youth in 2006, and the Gold-certified 2009 antiwar hit "One Day" (streamed over 150 million times on Spotify alone), he toured extensively through the second half of the aughts with a high-energy stage show that has since grown to include more improvisation. All the while his music expanded into a shapeshifting collision of reggae, hip-hop, alt rock and boldly inventive pop. Today, he continues to be inspired by evolving musical trends, finding linkages and loops between eras and genres. Matisyahu's spirituality has evolved in parallel with his music, though his Jewish heritage remains a central theme throughout his life and music. The new EP, Hold The Fire (out February 2024), also finds him reflecting on celebrity and artistic success. For Matisyahu, “the unbelievable and miraculous feeling of being connected to our people” is what keeps the creative fire alight.

Get ready to experience the inventive guitar work of Aaron Dugan, a guitarist rooted in reggae, dub, jazz, and experimental music.

A longtime band member, co-creator and collaborator of Matisyahu [est. 2003], Aaron has also performed and recorded with artists such as Trevor Hall, Bill Laswell, and drummer Mark Guiliana. His work with Bill Laswell, a legendary producer and bassist known for his genre-blending projects, underscores Dugan’s versatility and ability to push sonic boundaries. Likewise, his collaborations with Trevor Hall and Mark Guiliana highlight his adaptability across musical styles, from roots reggae and dub to jazz and avant-garde.

Aaron Dugan’s upcoming release, How to Never Fall Apart, is an instrumental trio album that fuses jazz, dub, reggae, and experimental influences into immersive soundscapes. His intricate guitar work and innovative approach have made him a sought-after touring and recording artist in the reggae and experimental music worlds.

This October, Aaron Dugan will open for Matisyahu on his upcoming tour, bringing an energetic and genre-defying set that reflects his deep musical roots and forward-thinking approach.