Almost any one of the many tools at the disposal of Indie rockers Mathien could lead to a successful modern band. The tongue in cheek clever observational song lyrics, a band of musicians who seem bred to experiment in every possible musical style, and a versatile vocalist equally comfortable crooning a soul ballad, screaming a rocker or shifting to hip hop: put them altogether and you’re no longer talking about a potentially successful band but a great one. Singer, songwriter, guitarist Chris Mathien, the force behind the band’s lightning rod of musical influences, fronts a band boasting three multi instrumentalists, and a drummer who would not be out of place in a thrash band. This diversity allows Mathien to cross musical boundaries that recall early ‘70’s soul, funk and R&B while staying contemporary and avoiding any derivative comparisons. Chris Mathien first picked up the guitar at the age of 8 and was writing his first songs by 5th grade. After playing in several bands in high school Chris, found his musical sensibilities more in line with classic R&B, funk, soul and reggae than anything in the modern autotuned airwaves. As Chris entered Southern Illinois University, he was a solo act, content to write and record his own songs. While performing in coffeehouses and distributing CDRs of his material, a steady fan base grew around Mathien and soon likeminded musicians were attending his shows. With a lineup set, Mathien soon gained a reputation as an impressive live act. A typically sold out Mathien show is a study in the relationship between artist and fan. Latest addition Bassist Erik Kahldahl says of the live experience “Every show is unique and we approach each song to make it new to our audience.” Drummer Omar Jawahr effuses, “I’ve never felt the energy I feel with these guys with anyone else.” Keyboardist Peter Wilkins echoes, “I’ve played a lot of shows but, playing a set with Mathien is unlike any other musical experiences I’ve encountered before.” Chris sums up the band’s philosophy, “I really just want people to relate to my music, when I look out in the audience and people are singing my songs and dancing and having a lot of fun it thrills me. I feel like what I’m saying is such a part of me and it makes me happy to see other people connecting to it.” On the strength of Mathien’s self produced first CD, Head Heart and Hands, and the bands enthusiastic and burgeoning fan base, Mathien was signed by Chicago’s Midwest Music recording label. In 2008 Mathien entered Pressure Point Studios, Chicago’s premier recording facility, and finished their first recording “Hello Again”. This first record became a sublime showcase for Chris Mathien’s songwriting, eclectic influences as well as the band’s mature chemistry. After a year and a half of touring and building new fans, the band entered the studio again in fall of 2010 and with the addition of new keyboardist/synthesist Peter Wilkins began laying tracks for their sophomore disc “The Night I was an Alpha Male”. Released in July of 2011 and garnering airplay on over 100 college radio stations around the country and charting top 20 on over 25, the band continued to tour relentlessly including stops at Summer Camp and North Coast music festivals in 2012 as well as numerous sold out shows in Chicago and around the Midwest. During that summer the band returned to the studio with new drummer Omar Jawahr to record their latest offering “Darling Television” due for release in February of 2013. With a deep song book filled with incredible hooks and a high energy live show, “if you didn’t know them now” come and see “you will get to know them better” and you will be a fan for life.