Written by: Cait Elizabeth - December 2018
Edited by: Travis Ryan

 INTRODUCTIONS:

Avant Gardener is an acoustic folk rock project inspired primarily by 60s songwriting. Matt Miller, lover of classic rock and acoustic folks acts like Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan, is the man behind the curtain. Matt has been playing music since he was a kid, learning instruments such as trumpet, french horn, mellophone, and bass guitar. He joined his first band, Steel Talon, at 15, playing instrumental Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, ZZ Top, and Jimi Hendrix covers as well as a handful of originals. He left after about a year, explaining that he was feeling disillusioned with the macho, sexist, hard rock that they were playing. Matt switched to working on solo stuff and playing bass for various local bands, most notably Colorblind, fronted by Kevin Preller. It was his time gigging with Colorblind that properly introduced him to the Long Island music scene. After breaking from the band, Matt spent more time focused on his solo sound, dipping in and out of playing shows and performing under the names “Emerald Wind” and “Miller”.

Inspired by the rise of The Lemon Twigs (a local retro alternative band fronted by brothers Matt went to school with) and the election of Trump, 2017 began a new chapter of music for Matt. He now embraced a “now or never” mentality, and he began attending open mics en force, booking local shows with Planet of Sound Promotions and Equilibrium Bookings. 2018 has been full of extensive writing and experimentation with new sounds, bringing back his electric guitar for the first time in years and using delay and chorus pedals to round out a sound that Matt describes as “watery”. He ultimately took on the moniker of “Avant Gardener” after the hit Courtney Barnett song, his love of the avant garde, and that green plant that makes so many musicians feel nice. The added irony of intense seasonal allergies that flare up when he attempts gardening at home sealed the deal. Avant Gardener was born.

In recent news, Matt has been recording a few singles for release in 2019 and was signed to Live Mic Music, a startup entertainment collective for new artists. He has also been working on music for a potential “Paradoja” TV pilot. “Paradoja” is a local comedy troupe that Matt attended high school with and frequently accompanied under the name “Emerald Wind”.

TOURS & SHOWS

Avant Gardener has been heard all over Long Island. One of Matt’s most memorable shows was a hectic day when he was double booked at an Islip steakhouse followed by a set at O’Brien’s in Coram. Arriving to the back half of his doubleheader—a mostly empty O’Brien’s—tired and slightly discouraged, the whole night turned around when Danni Christian was front and center stage, grooving and vibing to all of his songs. Matt shares that when he has doubts about his music, he can reflect on that night and the words of encouragement Danni shared. “She became and continues to be a musician I admire and look up to in the music scene”.

Another important show was Equilibrium Booking’s Creative Cornucopia Celebration in late 2017. Matt explains that opening for some of his favorite local bands in Geotribe, Samurai Pizza Cats, and The Chris Ruben Band was a pleasure, and for the first time he felt really welcomed into the music scene.

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INSPIRATION & INFLUENCES

Avant Gardener’s biggest influences have been Kurt Cobain, Bob Dylan, Pete Townshend (The Who), and Courtney Barnett. Cobain’s accessibility, raw emotion, and relatability lent themselves to Matt’s music. Pete Townshend’s fluidity in song structure, open chords, and percussive style strongly shaped his approach to song writing and guitar style. Bob Dylan’s music taught songwriting, the validity of stream of conscious songwriting, and the tradition of building on what came before. Most recently Matt has found Courtney Barnett’s “Nirvana-eque” rhythm and minimalist approach seeping into his own songs.