Matt Hinkley: Bio
Matt Hinkley
Born and raised in West Texas, Matt Hinkley is a rock ‘n’ roll songwriter, singer, and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist now residing in New York City. Despite his arrival in NYC as an actor and singer, Hinkley has traveled full-circle back to the days of jamming out to Billy Idol’s "Rebel Yell" on his parents’ coffee table, wearing nothing but his favorite pair of Scooby Doo underwear. The Billy Idol and Scooby Doo underwear may be gone, but the energy, passion, and musicality remain in full force.
Hinkley has just release his self-titled debut album, Matt Hinkley, an original and refreshing collection of twelve infectious songs ranging from acoustic Americana to full-bore rock ‘n’ roll. The CD is on sale through his website, CD Baby, and iTunes, and draws comparisons to Wilco, The Beatles, and Ryan Adams while retaining a unique character all its own. Hinkley supports his studio effort with a vigorous live show- his record release show to a capacity crowd at NYC’s historic Bitter End was said to have rocked the venue as hard as it had been in twenty years.
Matt's songwriting is influenced musically by the country, blues, and folk of Texas, combined with the straight-up, explosive rock 'n' roll he was weaned on, and the tight songwriting style of classic artists like the Beatles. Lyrically, it's all about the decisions, events, and journeys that make up one's life, as well as the process of coming to terms with the fact that "when you reach that line, you cross that line on your own." His musical efforts have led him to perform across the country and at such NYC venues as Joe’s Pub, The Bitter End, Cutting Room, Crash Mansion, Ars Nova, Mo Pitkins, Pianos, Lion’s Den, and more.
In addition to his own projects, Hinkley lends his multiple talents to a number of other endeavors. He is currently the music director, arranger, guitarist, rehearsal pianist, and an ensemble actor for The Black Suits, a rock musical by Joe Iconis and Robert Maddock, which plays July 1-6 at The Public Theater. Matt gigs regularly as a guitarist/vocalist/actor/accordionist with Mr. Iconis, a Jonathan Larson Award and Ed Kleban Award winner rightfully known as one of NYC’s hottest up-and-coming theater composers; other notable Joe shows include Things To Ruin at Joe’s Pub, and The Joe Iconis Rock ‘n’ Roll Jamboree at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Matt is also the music director and guitarist/vocalist for Prefab4, a non-impersonating stage tribute to the Beatles that has performed in New Orleans, Omaha, and Illinois. In 2007, Hinkley assistant music directed and played guitar for PEG’s national tour of Beehive: The ‘60s Musical. Matt works as a guitarist and vocalist for Hank Lane, one of NYC’s premier entertainment booking companies. Matt also provides guitar, vocals, and other musical assistance to a host of other NYC-based writers and performers, including Craig Wilson, Amanda Droste, Robert Jay Cronin, Mat Leland, Joe Moore, 2007 Jonathan Larson Award winner Robert Maddock, and 2007 Nightlife Award Winner Lorinda Lisitza.
To hear more of Matt Hinkley’s music and to pick up a copy of his album, visit him at CD Baby, or click the Music and Buy links to the right.
Music Resume
guitar (electric, acoustic), vocals, piano, electric bass, accordion, mandolin, musical direction
NATIONAL TOUR:
Beehive, the '60s Musical- Assistant Music Dir., Guitarist
(Prather Entertainment Group)
NEW YORK:
The Black Suits- Music Director, Arranger, Guitarist, Rehearsal Pianist
(The Public Theater- SPF, prod.)
Triumphant Baby! The Songs of Iconis and Maddock- Guitar, Mandolin, Accordion
(York Theatre, Metroplitan Room)
The Joe Iconis Rock 'n' Roll Jamboree- Guitars, Vocals, Accordion, Arrangements
(Laurie Beechman Theatre, Joe's Pub)
Things To Ruin: The Songs Of Joe Iconis- Vocals, Featured Actor
(Joe's Pub, Ars Nova, NYMF)
Easter Rising (a musical by Michael Arden)- Guitar, Guitar Arrangments
(Joe's Pub)
On The Verge- Music Director, Piano
(440 Studios- New Heights Theatre Company)
B.R.A.T.S., a new musical by Robert Jay Cronin- Guitar, Guitar Arrangements
(Manhattan Theatre Club reading)
Guitarist/Vocalist for Hank Lane, one of NYC's premier entertainment booking companies
REGIONAL:
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! A Musical Celebration (Beatles tribute)- Musical Director, Guitars, Keys, Vocals
(performed at Funny Bone, Omaha, NE; Little Theatre on the Square, Sullivan, IL; and Jefferson Performing Arts Society, New Orleans, LA)
Babes In Arms- Musical Director/Conductor, Piano
(Midland Community Theatre, Midland, TX)
Jesus Christ Superstar- Guitars
(Yucca Theatre, Midland, TX- Darryl Knapp, MD)
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story- Lead Guitar
(Prather Family of Theatres- Beth Burrier, MD)
Godspell- Guitars, Mandolin
(Pickwick Players, Midland, TX)
Songs For a New World- Musical Director, Rehearsal Pianist
(Trinity School, Midland, TX)
STUDIO
Alive At Ten Cast Recording- Guitars
(by Ryan Scott Oliver and Kirsten Guenther)
Svejk- Recorded Vocals
(Off-Broadway: Theater for a New Audience; Lenny Pickett, MD)
Our Country Demo Recording- Guitars
(by Tony Asaro)
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Midland, TX-
Substitute Organist/Pianist and Choir Director
(6/01-8/01)
New York University, New York, NY-
Tutor, Music Theory/Aural Comprehension
(9/03-5/04)
EDUCATION:
New York University- Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance
Theater Resume
Hair/Eyes: brown/blue-grey
Voice: Baritone/Bari-tenor
THEATER:
Things To Ruin: The Songs of Joe Iconis (Featured)-
Ars Nova, NYC (NYMF), John Simpkins, dir.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Buddy u/s- performed, 4th Cricket, lead guitar)-
Prather Family of Theatres, Clayton Fletcher, dir.
PLASTIC! The Musical (Cody Bennett)-
York Theatre, John Simpkins, dir.
Those Fabulous Fifties (Elvis, Buddy Holly, Featured, guitar)-
Fireside Theatre, Ed Flesch, dir.
Tick, Tick…BOOM! (Michael)-
Arundel Barn Playhouse, John Simpkins, dir.
Songs For A New World (Man 2)-
Theater Barn, Don Hodge, dir., and
Samsara Theatre Company (NYC), Jason Kane, dir.
A New Brain (Roger)-
Frederick Loewe Theater, John Simpkins, Jen
Werner
Ragtime (Father)-
Skirball Center, Bill Wesbrooks, dir.
Jacques Brel…Paris (Featured)-
Provincetown Playhouse, Bill Wesbrooks, dir.
Godspell (Judas)-
Arundel Barn Playhouse, John Simpkins, dir.
Grease (Kenickie)-
Arundel Barn Playhouse, Bobby Cronin, dir.
Cabaret (Ernst)-
Theater Barn, John Simpkins, dir.
Compleat Wks...Shkspr (Daniel)-
Mabee Theater
A Funny Thing…Forum (Miles Gloriosus)-
Arundel Barn Playhouse, Bobby Cronin, dir.
Forever Plaid (Smudge)-
Frederick Loewe Theater, Don Farrell, dir.
Babes In Arms (Steve)- (Rev. book by Joe DiPietro)-
Frederick Loewe Theater, Greg Ganakas, dir.
Twelfth Night (Feste)-
Globe Theatre
MUSIC/OTHER:
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah: a Concert Celebration (of the Beatles)- (Lead guitar, keys, vocals, music dir.)-
Bad Apple Productions
TRAINING/SPECIAL SKILLS:
B.M., Vocal Performance/Music Theater, New York
University
Voice: Michael Ricciardone, Kevin Wallace
Acting: Diane Ciesla, Bill Wesbrooks, Greg Ganakas,
John Mabry (TVI-Film Acting)
Skills: Guitar, Piano, Electric Bass (all extremely proficient); Drums (trap set, some percussion), Accordion, Harmonica, Mandolin; Sight Reading; Music Dir./Arr. (experienced)