Litzinger Releases First Album at TOL Performance:
Friends and fans of Matt Litzinger gathered for music and coffee at the on-campus Tree of Life café on Saturday, Feb. 6, where Litzinger, a sophomore, released his first album, titled “Distracted.”
Before Litzinger took the stage a freshman, Mark Morley opened the evening, performing a variety of original songs and covers, including an acoustic rendition of Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” and a cleaned up version of Outcast’s “Hey Ya.”
Afterwards, Litzinger, a Graphic Design major and music minor from Ebensburg, Pa., got out his guitar, kicked off his shoes (he usually performs barefoot) and sat down to play the songs from his new album. Freshman Aaron Strohl accompanied him on the djembe throughout the evening.
Litzinger opened with his favorite song from the album, “Brother,” mentioning that on the CD track, his brother accompanied him on violin. While he mostly played original songs from “Distracted,” he also performed some covers including a version of “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” which is also included in the album, and a cover of “Long Black Veil,” which is not on the album.
“Matt’s songs have a friendly quality to them,” said sophomore student Daniel Cooper. “You can’t help but smile when you hear ‘Stay with Me.’”
Litzinger says that he has played guitar for five years now, and he has been performing for three. He began the process of writing and recording the album about six months ago.
“I have a lot of songs and I thought this would be a good way for people to get a hold of my music,” he said.
One song on the album, “Keep on Rolling,” which Litzinger wrote for his High School graduation, was featured on the radio in his hometown area. Other important musical accomplishments include performing for Grace College’s Homecoming Variety Show in the fall of 2008, where he had the opportunity to perform in front of over 1,200 people.
Litzinger pointed to Dave Matthews as his greatest musical influence, and said that for his music, he tries to avoid “doing the cliché love song type of thing.”
“I’m usually inspired by people who have had a big influence on my life,” he said.
While Litzinger is unsure what a career in music looks like for him, he said that he really loves the producing and editing side of music.
“The true heart of it for me is the recording process,” he said.
“Distracted” is available for purchase from his website at mattlitzingermusic.com. The website offers digital downloads of his music, and a promise from Litzinger that for two weeks, 10 percent of his sales will go to the Haiti Relief Fund through Compassion International.
“I am convinced that as an individual with more resources than I need, it only seems fit to give back to those less comfortable,” he posted on the site.
Staff Writer - THE SOUNDING BOARD
