Five years ago, this journalist from All Access Magazine was honored to interview an emerging folk rocker Matt Costa. (Please read the original here at Meijin Rocks and Blogs) At that time, performing as a “guy on the guitar,” the talented Costa played at the Troubadour alongside friends The 88, and was introduced to the Los Angeles music scene. Now, a half a decade later, Matt Costa has become a sought after, beloved musician and household name, adopted a band, and added harmonica, keyboard, and trumpet to his repertoire. After a slew of national (including ones with No Doubt, and Oasis this past fall) and international tours, two EP’s, two full-length albums, live recordings, videos and interviews, film soundtrack appearances (Curious George with Jack Johnson, Ghost Town trailer, I Love You, Man, Mark Jacob's Jesse's Story about Life Rolls On's inspiration Jesse Billauer), and TV commercial spots (“Sunshine” is in ads for children’s Benadryl.), the ascent of Costa’s career proves charisma, artistic and personal integrity, and creativity are the keys to his success.
On Saturday, April 25, Matt Costa headlined the House of Blues Anaheim in Downtown Disneyland, and was joined once again by The 88 along with openers Mothers Sons for a sold-out evening. Early ticket purchasers could indulge in a pre-show “All-You-Can-Eat Matt Costa Buffet” and enjoy specialties from HOB’s Southern-style restaurant (Consultation of Costa’s previous interview would have eliminated the bell peppers from the Kalbi Brushed Rosemary Beef Brochette.). Regardless of the menu beforehand, Mothers Sons, The 88, and Matt Costa served up deliciously memorable and satisfying performances.
Appetizing starters Mothers Sons enlivened the crowd with a blend of rootsy riffs and British Invasion influences from their six-track EP Griot, now available on LibertyBoardshop.com. The folksy four from Fullerton, California, welcomed Matt Costa as a guest keyboardist and trumpeter to close their set, showing the first signs of inter-artist supportiveness that graced the remainder of the evening. Their summery sounds can be heard again at Yost Theatre in Santa Ana, California, on May 28, and on www.myspace.com/motherssonsband.
While The 88’s button-down uniform distinguished them in appearance from their fellow performers, their upbeat demeanor and appreciation for Mothers Sons and Matt Costa genuinely and joyfully expressed the collaborative spirit that emerges at every Costa concert. Working hard, and perspiring to prove it, The 88 put their all into a set that featured Over and Over favorites, “Not Enough,” “All ‘Cause of You,” “Coming Home,” newer single “Go Go Go,” “Sons and Daughters,” and “Like You Do” from their August 2008 record Not Only…But Also; all are available on iTunes and The88.net. Not only did the choices of songs keep the crowd fully engaged and dancing, the variety of moods, modes, and paces also intrigued the audience. Although The 88's upcoming tour dates in May are mostly based in the New York and New Jersey areas, Californians will have the dynamic group back home for the summer when they will appear with The B-52’s at The Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, on June 26, and at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa on July 19.
As the sold-out HOB roared, screamed, and shrieked, Matt Costa entered solo and waved modestly, warming up with an a cappella tune. A well-rested voice shone on songs from Costa’s two full-length records Songs We Sing and Unfamiliar Faces. “Sweet Rose” brought out back-up by Mitchell Townsend (guitar), Jacob Sahagen (keyboards/back vocals), Harris Pittman (bass), and James Fletcher (drums/back vocals). The jam-packed track list featured “Ballad of Miss Kate,” “Oh Dear,” “Unfamiliar Face,” “Cigarette Eyes,” “Behind the Moon,” and “Yellow Taxi” which consistently evoked audience participation, so exuberant, almost to a point of making Costa’s exquisite voice inaudible. One lucky lady celebrated her birthday with Costa’s dedication of “Miss Magnolia”: “I don't know how to play ‘Happy Birthday’ on the guitar, but you look young enough to be a ‘Miss,’ so this song is for you,” prompting a zealous reaction from the birthday “girl’s” family. The evening's zenith arrived with “Sunshine” as attentive fans shouted, “We love Benadryl!” at which Costa shyly grinned. “Sweet Thursday,” “Lose My Mind,” and 
“Whiskey and Wine,” according to Costa, “a version that’s a little different from the album’s,” followed. With several more Klezmer cadences and a few extra verses, "Whiskey and Wine” retained and sustained its sultry swing. Although calls of “Doctor!” on “Emergency Call” expressed a severe case of heartbreak, Costa upheld the good-natured spirit of his night to soar. Before the encore, the all-ages throng fervently chanted, “One more song! One more song!..;” and Costa re-emerged, expressing his gratitude, “Wow, you are too nice,” as he strummed into “Cold December,” an unreleased Unfamiliar Faces sessions rarity “Josephine,” and a classic favorite, the astounding “Astair” to end the HOB musical feast and perfect night for Costa’s US Tour kick-off performance. In the months ahead Matt Costa is recording a new album, and gracing several Southern U.S. stages with additional destinations as the tour schedule is finalized. Frequent checks of www.myspace.com/mattcostamusic and MattCosta.com for details will delight old and new, familiar and unfamiliar fans alike.
