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Matt Sweeney
Matt Sweeney
Matt Sweeney
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Key Information

Matt Sweeney (born July 2, 1969) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. Sweeney currently plays with The Hard Quartet. Sweeney is also the host of the web series Guitar Moves.[1]

Sweeney’s history includes being the frontman for the band Chavez, half of the Superwolf duo, composer and performer for music in Red Dead Redemption 2, and session guitarist for Rick Rubin.

Early life and education

[edit]

Sweeney was born in New York City. His father was John D. Sweeney, a professor of Medieval English at Seton Hall University who was also an avid musician.[2][3] His mother, Katharine Sweeney Hayden, is a federal judge.[4] Sweeney's parents divorced after 20 years of marriage.[5] He has an older brother, Gregory Sweeney, who is a musician who works on the TV show Kitchen Nightmares.[2][4]

He grew up in Maplewood and South Orange, New Jersey. He attended Northwestern University before dropping out and moving to New York City.[4]

Career history

[edit]

Sweeney's high school band Skunk released two albums on Twin/Tone records ("Last American Virgin" in 1989 and the posthumous "Laid", both out of print).

In 1993 Sweeney formed the indie rock band Chavez. The band quickly gained a following in the New York underground scene[6][7] after the release of their first single ("Repeat the Ending" b/w "Hack the Sides Away") followed by the album (1995's Gone Glimmering and EP (1995’s Pentagram Ring) on Matador Records. The music video for the song “Break Up Your Band” aired in an episode of MTV’s Beavis and Butt-Head. Chavez’s second full-length album Ride the Fader was released in 1996.

Chavez did several short tours in the United States and Europe between 1994 and 1997.[8]

During this time, Sweeney was a crucial early advocate of Guided by Voices sharing their early cassettes amongst his peers including Kurt Cobain.[9] With Chavez on hiatus, Sweeney filled in on bass guitar for the band’s "Under the Bushes, Under the Stars" tour. He also provided vocals on the song "Quicksilver" on Guided By Voices leader Robert Pollard's first solo album Not in My Airforce LP.

The late '90s found him continuing to work a day job and touring with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy as a guitarist.

Sweeney's work has taken him across a variety of musical genres. Starting in 2000 he turned up on Cat Power's The Covers Record and a couple of Bonnie "Prince" Billy singles.

In 2001 he started playing and writing with Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin in what was to become Zwan. He collaborated with Billy Corgan on the soundtrack to the movie Spun, singing the movie's opening song, a cover of Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast". He was also featured as a guitarist and backing vocalist on Bonnie "Prince" Billy's Ease Down The Road album.

He lent a helping hand to Dave Grohl in assembling the all-star heavy metal album Probot, tracking down the legendary singers and providing guitar work (the Probot album was not released until 2004, on Southern Lord records).

After Zwan's breakup, Sweeney played guitar with Bonnie "Prince" Billy for several tours in 2004. January 2005 saw the release of their collaboration Superwolf on Drag City.[10][11] Sweeney and Bonnie toured behind the Superwolf record in the U.S. and Europe.

2005 also saw Sweeney producing heavy metal band Early Man's debut album, Closing In. The following year found Sweeney working in both the country music and hip-hop scenes, providing guitar work, along with Mike Campbell and Smokey Hormel, on the Johnny Cash album American V: A Hundred Highways and appearing with Yo La Tengo bass player James McNew and Def Jux founder El-P, as guest artists on the first track of rapper Cage's album Hell's Winter. He also played guitar on the Dixie Chicks' Taking the Long Way album. In addition, he became a member of apocalyptic Christian folk legends Current 93's touring group, playing shows in Europe in support of the Black Ships Ate The Sky album. He also recorded Andrew W.K. for W.K.'s Close Calls With Brick Walls album.

In 2007 Sweeney again collaborated with El-P, this time alongside Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala of Mars Volta, on El-P's 2007 album, I'll Sleep When You're Dead.

In early 2009 Sweeney formed The Brill Sisters with Andrew W.K. and producer Don Fleming. They played their first show (without Fleming) at Santos Party House on April 2, 2009.[12][13] The entire group performed on April 21.[14]

In 2016, Sweeney toured with Iggy Pop, Josh Homme as well as Matt Helders to support their album Post Pop Depression.[15]

In 2021 Sweeney teamed up with Iggy Pop again releasing their cover of “European Son” for the album I’ll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to The Velvet Underground & Nico.[16]

That same year Sweeney partnered with Bonnie “Prince” Billy with the release of their record Superwolves. [17]

In 2024, Sweeney founded the band The Hard Quartet with Stephen Malkmus, Jim White, and Emmett Kelly.[18]

In 2025 Sweeney toured the world supporting the debut album by The Hard Quartet. He has spent his life as a semi regular member of Endless Boogie.

Production work

[edit]

Sweeney’s production work includes albums by

Collaborations

[edit]

Matt Sweeney has collaborated with a number of other artists, including:

In tune with his many collaborations, an unlikely combination of Sweeney and Neil Diamond was proposed by seminal producer Rick Rubin in 2008 to follow up Diamond's Rubin-produced 2005 album 12 Songs.[19] The 2008 album Home Before Dark, released on May 12, features Sweeney on all songs.

Guitar Moves

[edit]

Matt Sweeney is also the host of the web series Guitar Moves created in 2013 in which he interviews many popular guitarists with a focus on showing and teaching their guitar techniques.

Sweeney has interviewed prominent guitarists such as Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, St. Vincent, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and many others.[1]

Sweeney describes Guitar Moves as “a loose anti-authoritarian music ‘show and tell’ designed to inspire anyone to pick up a guitar”.[20]

The series was produced by Vice's music channel Noisey from 2013 until 2017.[21] Guitar Moves is now run independently of VICE with new episodes being uploaded to YouTube and the Guitar Moves website as of November 2025.[22]

Discography

[edit]

Skunk

[edit]

Chavez

[edit]
  • Gone Glimmering (1995) Matador
  • Ride The Fader (1996) Matador
  • Better Days Will Haunt You best-of compilation CD/DVD (2006) Matador
  • Repeat the Ending EP (1994) Matador
  • Pentagram Ring EP (1995) Matador
  • What's Up Matador? feat. "Theme from 'For Russ'" (1995) Matador
  • School House Rock feat. "Little Twelve Toes" (1996) Atlantic Records
  • Boys Making Music, Music Making Men Documentary VHS (1996) Matador
  • Cockfighters EP (2017) Matador

Zwan

[edit]

Matt Sweeney & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

[edit]

The Hard Quartet

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Other collaborations

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Matt Sweeney

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from Grokipedia
Matt Sweeney (born July 2, 1969, in ) is an American guitarist, vocalist, , and renowned for his versatile contributions to , alternative music, and session work across decades. He first gained recognition as a founding member of the New York-based band Chavez in the 1990s, with whom he released the album Ride the Fader in 1996, and later as the guitarist for the short-lived supergroup , led by , which issued Mary Star of the Sea in 2003. Sweeney's career also encompasses extensive collaborations and production credits, including long-term partnerships with singer-songwriter Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (Will Oldham) on acclaimed albums such as Superwolf (2005) and Superwolves (2021), as well as session guitar work for artists like , , , and . After early recordings with his high school band and a stint as a music following Chavez's initial run, he has maintained an active role in the industry, producing tracks for diverse acts, hosting the guitar instructional series Guitar Moves on since 2020, and currently as a member of the supergroup The Hard Quartet. His distinctive fingerpicking style and use of flatwound strings have influenced his raw, exploratory tone across genres from alternative folk to heavy rock.

Early life and education

Family and childhood

Matt Sweeney was born on July 2, 1969, in . He grew up in the communities of Maplewood and , where he spent much of his early years immersed in a culturally rich suburban environment. Sweeney attended , an all-boys Catholic high school affiliated with . Sweeney's family provided a foundation blending academia, law, and artistic pursuits. His father, John D. Sweeney, served as a professor of Medieval English at and was an avid musician himself, contributing to a household filled with records and books that exposed young Matt to diverse sounds. His mother, Katharine Sweeney Hayden, is a federal judge for the in , whose career emphasized and legal scholarship. Sweeney's initial interest in music emerged during his childhood through familial influences and local access to recordings. At age five, in 1974, he first encountered the 12-string guitar work of via his parents' collection of albums at their home, an experience that captivated him and planted the seeds for his lifelong passion for the instrument. This early auditory environment, combined with the vibrant scene around him, fostered his growing fascination with guitar playing by his pre-teen years.

Higher education

Sweeney briefly attended in the late 1980s but chose to drop out around 1989 in order to dedicate himself fully to music. This decision was shaped in part by his family's strong academic tradition, though the specific major he pursued remains unspecified. In a 2015 interview, he described the immediate aftermath: after dropping out, his early band disbanded, leaving him directionless before he immersed himself in the burgeoning local music scenes of and New York. The pivot marked the end of his formal higher education and the beginning of his professional trajectory in music, as he transitioned from student life to active participation in underground rock communities.

Career

Band projects

Matt Sweeney's early band involvement began in the late with , a New Jersey-based punk outfit he co-founded during high school, where he served as and vocalist. The group released two albums on , blending raw punk energy with youthful, irreverent that marked Sweeney's initial foray into songwriting and . Skunk's short-lived run laid the groundwork for his toward more angular, guitar-driven sounds, emphasizing his role as a central creative force in small-scale indie scenes. In the 1990s, Sweeney shifted to the New York math rock scene as lead guitarist and co-founder of Chavez, formed in the mid-1990s alongside , James Lo, and Scott Masciarelli. The band drew influences from and , crafting intricate, riff-heavy compositions that avoided overly technical tropes in favor of emotional, celebratory dynamics. Chavez dissolved around 1997 amid shifting personal commitments, though Sweeney remained its primary songwriter, contributing to a style that prioritized tight interplay and melodic accessibility over complexity. Sweeney's supergroup phase emerged with in 2001, a collaborative project initiated by following the ' breakup, where Sweeney played guitar alongside Corgan, , , and . The band focused on expansive, harmony-rich , with Sweeney contributing to the songwriting and guitar arrangements on their sole album, Mary Star of the Sea. disbanded in 2003 due to internal tensions, including Corgan's dissatisfaction with bandmates' drug use, mistrust, and personal conflicts, as well as his lingering attachment to his Pumpkins-era vision. More recently, Sweeney co-founded the Hard Quartet in 2024 with , Jim White, and , forming an supergroup rooted in spontaneous jamming sessions and shared affinities for lo-fi guitar textures. The band's collaborative songwriting process involves collective and equal input, evolving from informal rehearsals into a cohesive unit that blends Malkmus's wry lyricism with Sweeney's versatile riffing. Their eponymous debut album arrived in 2024 via , followed by initial tours in late 2024 and an extensive North American run in 2025, highlighting Sweeney's ongoing pivot toward egalitarian supergroup formats. Throughout these projects, Sweeney's contributions reflect a progression from punk-infused indie in and Chavez—where he drove band dynamics through vocal and guitar leadership—to the broader, star-driven collaborations of and Hard Quartet, emphasizing fluid songwriting and adaptive roles in ensemble settings. This trajectory underscores his adaptability, from tight-knit East Coast scenes to international supergroups, while consistently prioritizing guitar-centric innovation over rigid structures.

Production work

Matt Sweeney's production career emerged in the , marked by collaborations with emerging indie and experimental artists seeking to preserve authentic, unpolished sounds. Among his early credits was the co-production of Baby Dee's album Safe Inside the Day (2008), where he worked alongside to blend the artist's piano-driven compositions with subtle guitar and bass elements, emphasizing emotional intimacy over elaborate production. Similarly, he produced Early Man's debut Closing In (2005), infusing the heavy metal duo's raw riffing with crisp clarity while adding guitar textures to heighten their aggressive energy. Another key early project was Dax Riggs' We Sing of Only Blood or Love (2007), on which Sweeney not only produced but also contributed guitar, helping translate Riggs' visions into a brooding, atmospheric record that balanced intensity with restraint. Central to Sweeney's production philosophy is the capture of raw, collaborative energy, often treating recording sessions as "blind dates" that foster trust and spontaneity among musicians. He prioritizes working with indie and experimental talents, drawing from influences like The Replacements to create music that channels collective creativity rather than individual ego, as he explained in a 2021 interview: "The person who is framing the singer is very important." This approach involves deep listening to artists' personalities—consulting those close to them—to avoid preconceived sonic templates, allowing performances to unfold naturally. In discussions tied to his Guitar Moves series, Sweeney has highlighted techniques for complementing vocals through strategic spacing, advising players to "play around me" rather than overlap, which underscores his focus on supportive, reactive arrangements. Over the subsequent decade, Sweeney's role evolved into more prominent oversight, where he guided guitar tones and structural arrangements to enhance an artist's core identity without overpowering it. By blending fingerpicking patterns inspired by figures like with modern indie sensibilities, he crafted distinct instrumental "lanes" that react to one another, as seen in his emphasis on non-traditional rock forms that amplify emotional depth. This maturation allowed him to tackle diverse projects while maintaining a commitment to raw vitality, often overlapping with his session playing to ensure cohesive execution. In a 2021 reflection, he noted treating high-stakes sessions—like those with established acts—as dreamlike opportunities to stay present and adaptive, reinforcing his philosophy of discipline enabling creative freedom.

Session and collaboration work

Matt Sweeney has built a prolific career as a session , contributing his distinctive playing to recordings across diverse genres, often in collaboration with high-profile artists and producers like . His session work spans , hip-hop, and , showcasing his versatility on electric and , as well as occasional and bass. Beginning in the late 1990s, Sweeney's contributions have appeared on over a dozen notable albums, where he provided guitar tracks that enhanced the sonic texture without dominating the foreground. One of Sweeney's early high-profile session appearances was on Johnny Cash's posthumous album American V: A Hundred Highways (2006), where he played guitar on multiple tracks alongside musicians like Mike Campbell and , under Rubin's production. This collaboration immersed Sweeney in and Americana traditions, marking his entry into Rubin's orbit of projects. Similarly, on Diamond's (2008), Sweeney contributed guitar parts, complementing the album's introspective rock-folk sound and Rubin's stripped-back approach. In 2010, he added guitar and to Kid Rock's , blending rock, , and Southern influences in a roots-oriented session. Sweeney's session work extended into contemporary pop and hip-hop with Adele's blockbuster 21 (2011), where his guitar enriched tracks like "Don't You Remember" and "He Won't Go," supporting the album's soulful, live-instrument feel. He further bridged genres by providing additional guitar on ' self-titled debut (2014), including "," and continued this role across their catalog, such as on RTJ2 (2014) and (2020), adding gritty textures to their aggressive rap-rock hybrid. In 2017, Sweeney co-wrote lyrics for Haim's , contributing to the sisters' polished pop-rock aesthetic while drawing on his collaborative songwriting experience. His work with dates back to her 2000 covers album , where he played on "," marking one of his first without a pick and influencing his later techniques. Beyond sessions, Sweeney has engaged in deeper collaborations that often involved co-writing and performance. His partnership with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy () on Superwolf (2005) was a landmark, where Sweeney co-wrote songs and played guitar, creating a raw folk-rock intimacy that became a cult favorite; the duo revisited this dynamic with Superwolves in 2021. On Dave Grohl's metal project (2004), Sweeney provided additional guitar on "Dictatosaurus," fitting into the album's all-star heavy lineup. He also contributed guitar and vocals to Current 93's experimental Aleph at Hallucinatory Mountain (2009) and live album Birth Canal Blues Live (2008), aligning with the band's apocalyptic folk-noir style. Earlier, Sweeney filled in on bass for ' 1996 tour supporting Under the Bushes Under the Stars and provided vocals on select tracks, bridging his indie rock roots with the band's prolific output. Sweeney's touring commitments have amplified his collaborative reach, notably as part of Iggy Pop's Post Pop Depression band in 2016-2017, where he played bass and guitar alongside Josh Homme and Matt Helders, delivering high-energy performances of the album's raw proto-punk material across North America and Europe. This tour highlighted his adaptability in live settings, from intimate folk sessions to arena rock. More recently, in 2025, Sweeney contributed guitar to Eyedress's single "Satan's Son". Overall, Sweeney's session and portfolio reflects a breadth from Johnny Cash's somber country to ' explosive hip-hop, underscoring his role as a connective force in modern music.

YouTube series

Matt Sweeney launched the series Guitar Moves in as a with Vice's Noisey channel, initially producing episodes as short-form video interviews centered on renowned guitarists. The format features in-depth, casual conversations where Sweeney, as host, engages guests in discussions about their playing styles, influences, and techniques, often culminating in collaborative jam sessions or demonstrations of signature riffs and licks. Early episodes exemplified this approach, with guests like St. Vincent sharing family-taught moves and improvising alongside Sweeney, while others, such as , delved into banjo-infused guitar storytelling. The series quickly gained traction within the guitar community for its unpretentious, educational vibe, encouraging viewers to experiment with instruments through accessible breakdowns of complex techniques. Episodes hosted on and later the dedicated Guitar Moves website amassed significant viewership, with standout installments like the one featuring Slipknot's James Root exceeding 500,000 views by demonstrating intricate metal riffing. Fan appreciation highlighted its role in demystifying elite guitar playing, fostering a sense of inspiration and community among aspiring musicians, as Sweeney positioned the show as an "anti-authoritarian music show & tell." This popularity led to its evolution beyond , with Sweeney independently releasing full episodes and commentary tracks, broadening its reach to a global audience of guitar enthusiasts. By 2024, Guitar Moves continued to thrive with fresh content, including the season-opening episode with in January, where they explored blues-rock dynamics, and a mini-reunion with Queens of the Stone Age's , a former bandmate. Sweeney has noted that hosting the series intersects with his broader career, leveraging personal networks from session work to secure high-profile guests like , whose 2015 episode involved relaxed chats over orange soda and guitar swaps, often sparking further collaborations. As of late 2024, episodes tied to Sweeney's recent projects, such as discussions around the Hard Quartet's debut album, appeared in related promotional content, underscoring the show's ongoing relevance in his professional ecosystem. No new episodes were announced in 2025 up to November.

Discography

Skunk

Skunk was Matt Sweeney's earliest band, formed during his high school years in the late , where he served as guitarist and vocalist alongside Stephan Apicella on guitar and vocals, Matt Quigley on bass and vocals, and on drums. Tim Aaron later joined as guitarist and songwriter, contributing to the band's second album. This project marked his first recorded output following his dropout from higher education, capturing a raw and punk-influenced sound on the independent label. The band's releases remain and are notable for their sophomoric themes and energetic performances, reflecting Sweeney's initial foray into music before transitioning to form Chavez. The band's debut album, Last American Virgin, was released in 1989 as an LP on (TTR 89156-1). Recorded in a straightforward punk-alternative style, it features nine tracks showcasing Sweeney's guitar work and shared vocals, with key songs including "(There'll Be Other Girls) Hoss," a driving opener; "Come Alive," highlighting the band's energetic ; and the title track "Last American Virgin," which closes with a reflective tone. The full tracklist is as follows:
  1. (There'll Be Other Girls) Hoss (4:39)
  2. Come Alive (4:31)
  3. (I'm Such A) Chump / (To Be The) Chump (5:48)
  4. Chezarone and Trevor (4:45)
  5. Hots On 4 Suzy (4:58)
  6. Rosie (3:45)
  7. Good To Go (3:22)
  8. Last American Virgin (4:12)
  9. The Girl Who Owned The Circus (3:12)
Skunk's second and final album, Laid, appeared posthumously in 1991 on Twin/Tone Records, released in both LP and CD formats after the band's dissolution. Sweeney contributed guitar and vocals to this collection of unreleased material, emphasizing the group's evolving sound with tracks like "Knobb Off," an aggressive starter; "Every Mother," a longer piece with dynamic shifts; and "Beauty Calls," featuring prominent guitar riffs. No singles or EPs were issued during the band's active period, and no official live recordings have been released. The full tracklist for the LP version includes: A1. Knobb Off (3:45) – Written by Tim Aaron
A2. Kome Klean (3:38)
A3. Take It All (3:19)
A4. The Best (3:30)
A5. Every Mother (5:25)
B1. Beauty Calls (4:24)
B2. Dummy (3:15)
B3. Beauty Crawls (3:42) – Written by Tim Aaron
B4. Girlfriend (3:50)
B5. No No No (2:55)

Chavez

Chavez's debut , Gone Glimmering, was released on May 23, 1995, by . The album was produced by the band itself, with engineering by and Bryce Goggin, and additional co-production and mixing by John Agnello on select tracks such as "" and "The Dead Only Quickly Become Themselves." It features 10 tracks characterized by angular guitar riffs and dynamic rhythms, including standout songs like "Break Up Your Band" and "Nailed to the Blank Spot." Prior to the album, the band issued their first single, the 7-inch "Repeat the Ending / Hack the Sides Away," in 1994 on . This release marked an early showcase of their leanings, with "Repeat the Ending" highlighting Matt Sweeney's raw vocal delivery over interlocking guitar lines. The Pentagram Ring EP followed on October 17, 1995, also via , compiling one track from Gone Glimmering (""), the 1994 single tracks, and two previously unreleased songs: "Pentagram Ring" and "The Ghost by the Sea." Self-produced by the band with assistance from their core recording team, the EP emphasized experimental edges in their sound, such as the dissonant swells in the title track. Chavez's second and final studio album, Ride the Fader, arrived on November 5, 1996, through . The record incorporated self-produced elements alongside co-production from Bryce Goggin on tracks like "Unreal Is Here" and John Agnello on others including "Top Pocket Man," with engineering by Jamie Candiloro at Waterworks. Spanning 12 tracks, it refined the band's math-rock precision, exemplified by songs such as "The Guard Attacks" and "New Room." Following the band's initial disbandment, released the compilation Better Days Will Haunt You on October 10, 2006, as a two-CD/DVD set encompassing both studio albums, the Pentagram Ring EP, and the 1994 single, along with live footage and interviews. In 2015, reissued Ride the Fader on vinyl in a , restoring the album to print after nearly two decades. The label further expanded availability with the 25th-anniversary reissue of Gone Glimmering (Expanded) on October 23, 2020, as a double LP remastered by , incorporating the full Ring EP for the first time on vinyl and featuring updated artwork. No additional Chavez reissues or compilations have been released as of 2025.

Zwan

Zwan's sole studio album, Mary Star of the Sea, was released on January 28, 2003, by . Matt Sweeney contributed guitar and backing vocals throughout the record, co-writing the title track and providing arrangements for the traditional-inspired closer "Jesus, I / Mary Star of the Sea." His guitar work, characterized by intricate fingerpicking and overdriven tones, added textural depth to songs like "Of a Broken Heart" and "Lyric," blending sensibilities with the band's expansive sound. The album's tracklist highlights include the upbeat opener "Lyric," the melodic "Settle Down," the introspective "Declarations of Faith," the "Honestly," and the epic finale "Jesus, I / Mary Star of the Sea," spanning 79 minutes across 17 tracks. Mary Star of the Sea debuted at number 3 on the chart, selling approximately 90,000 copies in its first week and ultimately around 200,000 units in the United States. The album was supported by the single "Honestly," released on February 24, 2003, which featured Sweeney's harmonious guitar layers supporting the song's soaring chorus. The commercial single included b-sides such as "" (performed by the acoustic-oriented Djali Zwan incarnation, with Sweeney on guitar) and "Freedom Ain't What It Used to Be." It peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and number 28 on the UK Singles Chart. No official EPs were issued during the band's active period. During 's 2001–2003 era, numerous live recordings captured performances of album tracks and early material, though none were officially released at the time; fan-traded bootlegs from shows like the December 2001 Djali Zwan sets and 2003 festival appearances, including Sweeney's prominent guitar solos, have circulated online. In the 2020s, archival efforts have advanced, with announcing plans for a comprehensive featuring 65 unreleased songs from the Zwan sessions, including recently uncovered tracks like " Song." The project, potentially releasing in installments starting in 2026, aims to include live and studio material from the period.

Hard Quartet

The Hard Quartet was formed in 2024 by Matt Sweeney alongside , Jim White, and , all of whom had previously collaborated with Sweeney on various projects. The band's debut album, titled The Hard Quartet, was released on October 4, 2024, by . The record features 14 tracks blending with scuzzy guitar riffs and melodic hooks, including contributions from each member on vocals and instrumentation. The full tracklist is as follows:
  1. Chrome Mess
  2. Earth Hater
  3. Rio's Song
  4. Our Hometown Boy
  5. Renegade
  6. Heel Highway
  7. Killed By Death
  8. Hey
  9. Thug Dynasty
  10. Last Train to LA
  11. X
  12. Golden Chords
  13. Sunset Blvd
  14. The Hard Quartet
Preceding the album, the band released several singles in 2024, starting with "Earth Hater" in mid-year, followed by "Rio's Song" and "Our Hometown Boy," which previewed the album's garage-rock energy and collaborative songwriting. The debut received widespread critical acclaim, with Pitchfork praising its "gorgeous melodies" and sense of camaraderie among the musicians, while The Guardian highlighted the "wondrous" guitar playing and "cosmically trippy joy" across the tracks. Outlets such as Sun 13 named it their Album of 2024, underscoring its impact in the indie rock scene. In 2025, the band issued a digital double single, "Lies (Something You Can Do) / Trail," recorded in July 2024 in , offering a glimpse of their ongoing experimental sound with Kelly-led shredding and sprawling instrumentals. No further EPs or live albums were released by November 2025.

Matt Sweeney & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

Matt Sweeney and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, the latter being the recording alias of , formed a collaborative duo that debuted with the album Superwolf in 2005. Their partnership emphasizes Sweeney's raw, emotive guitar work complementing Oldham's introspective songwriting and vocals, resulting in sparse, folk-infused rock recordings. Over the years, they released a follow-up album and a single, maintaining a for their unadorned, harmony-driven sound. The duo's debut, Superwolf, was released on January 25, 2005, by Drag City Records. Co-produced by Sweeney, Oldham, and Paul Oldham, the album features Sweeney on lead and rhythm guitars, bass, Nord synthesizer, and backing vocals across all tracks, with his fingerpicking and slide techniques providing a haunting backbone to the material. The tracklist is as follows:
  • "My Home Is the " (5:49)
  • "Beast for Thee" (3:41)
  • "What Are You?" (2:38)
  • "Goat and Ram" (5:16)
  • "Lift Us Up" (2:57)
  • "Rudy Foolish" (4:13)
  • "Bed Is for Sleeping" (3:46)
  • "Only Someone Running" (3:53)
  • "Death in the " (5:03)
  • "I Gave You" (3:48)
  • "Superwolf" (0:55)
Sweeney co-wrote the music for several tracks, including "My Home Is the " and "Goat and Ram," enhancing the album's nautical and themes. Their second album, Superwolves, arrived on April 30, 2021, via Drag City, Palace Records, and , with physical formats following on July 16, 2021. Co-produced by Sweeney and , it reunites the pair after 16 years, with Sweeney delivering electric and parts, as well as harmonies on tracks like "Make Worry for Me" and "Hall of Death," where his playing evokes a sense of urgent introspection. The album incorporates guest musicians such as on guitar for "Hall of Death," but Sweeney's contributions anchor the core duo dynamic. The tracklist comprises:
  • "Make Worry for Me" (3:58)
  • "Good to My Girls" (2:41)
  • "God Is Waiting" (3:07)
  • "Hall of Death" (3:21)
  • "Shorty's Ark" (3:29)
  • "I Am a Inclined to Ramble" (2:51)
  • "My Popsicle" (2:29)
  • "Watch What Happens" (2:55)
  • "My Suit" (2:53)
  • "My Body Is My Temple" (4:01)
  • "You Can Regret What You Have Done" (2:16)
  • "Mind My Love" (2:59)
  • "Not Fooling" (4:31)
  • "Shorty's Ark (Reprise)" (1:08)
Sweeney co-wrote all songs, drawing from sessions spanning over five years. In June 2021, the duo issued the digital single "Watch What Happens" b/w "Stay on My Shore" on Drag City, featuring a cover of their own Superwolves track by and Nathan Salsburg on the A-side, and the duo's rendition of Shelley and Salsburg's song on the B-side. Sweeney provided guitar and vocals on the B-side, highlighting their ongoing ties within the scene.

As producer

Matt Sweeney has served as a on several albums outside his own projects and collaborations, frequently incorporating his expertise in guitar arrangements to enhance the recordings' texture and energy. His production work spans heavy metal, , and folk-influenced styles, often involving direct musical contributions that blur the lines between production and session playing. One of his early production credits was the debut album Closing In by heavy metal duo Early Man, released in 2005 on . Sweeney not only produced the record but also added guitar parts, contributing to its raw, riff-heavy sound that evoked classic heavy metal influences. In 2007, Sweeney co-produced We Sing of Only Blood or Love, the solo debut by (formerly of and ), on . Alongside Riggs, he handled production and mixing, while providing guitar, bass, piano, and backing vocals across the tracks, resulting in a dark, atmospheric rock album with layered instrumental depth. Sweeney co-produced Baby Dee's 2008 album Safe Inside the Day on Drag City Records, working with (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy). The record features Sweeney's guitar contributions amid the singer-songwriter's harp and piano-driven songs, creating an intimate yet eclectic folk sound with whimsical and haunting elements. In the 2020s, Sweeney produced the self-titled debut album by Nashville rock band Country Westerns, released in 2020 on . His involvement brought a brawny, guitar-centric edge to the heartland punk tracks, emphasizing live energy and raw instrumentation. He returned for their sophomore effort, Forgive the City (2023, ), maintaining a focus on punchy guitar arrangements that amplified the band's rugged alt-country rock style. More recently, Sweeney produced , the 2023 sophomore album by on . Recorded at Strange Weather Studios in , the project highlights Sternberg's vulnerable songwriting with Sweeney's production emphasizing clear, emotive arrangements that prioritize the artist's voice and acoustic elements.

Other collaborations

Matt Sweeney has contributed guitar and other instrumentation to numerous one-off sessions and albums across genres, often as a . His work spans rock, country, hip-hop, and pop, with specific performative credits including , and occasional lyrical input. In 1996, Sweeney filled in on for during their tour supporting the album Under the Bushes Under the Stars. For Dave Grohl's metal project , Sweeney served as and riff consultant, contributing guitar riffs to several instrumentals on the self-titled 2004 album, including elements in tracks like "Centuries of Sin." Sweeney played guitar on Johnny Cash's posthumous album American V: A Hundred Highways (2006), notably on the track "." On Neil Diamond's (2008), Sweeney provided guitar throughout the album, contributing to its rock-oriented sound alongside producer . Sweeney added guitar to multiple tracks on Kid Rock's (2010), enhancing the album's country-rock blend. For Adele's blockbuster 21 (2011), Sweeney played guitar on the track "." Sweeney contributed additional guitar to ' self-titled debut album (2014), including on "," and appeared on subsequent releases in the series through 2020. On Pop's : Live (2016), a recording from the supporting tour, Sweeney played across the performance. Sweeney provided additional lyrics for several tracks on Haim's (2017), including "Want You Back" and "Little of Your Love." In tribute compilations, Sweeney collaborated with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy on a cover of "Straight Back" for Just Tell Me That You Want Me: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac (2012). He also joined for a rendition of "" on I'll Be Your Mirror: A Tribute to the Velvet Underground & Nico (2021). No major compilation appearances featuring Sweeney were released in 2024 or 2025 up to November.

References

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