Get To Know: Matt Quinn of Mt Joy

Born in Philadelphia, Matt Quinn’s passion for music ignited at a young age. He started writing music as a high-schooler with future bandmate Sam Cooper, and he continued the hobby through his college career. After graduating college in 2016, Quinn moved to Los Angeles to pursue law school, where he once again reconvened with Cooper. They started playing music together again in their spare time, “doing the night shift thing as a band,” Quinn says. The band’s moniker pays homage to the mountain in Valley Forge National Historical Park near Philadelphia. They recorded their first single, “Astrovan”, in a friend’s L.A. apartment. The song became a sleeper hit, and the and started a monumental ascent in folk music scene. After signing with Dualtone Records, the band added Michael Byrnes (bass), Sotiris Eliopoulos (drums), and Jackie Miclau (keyboards), forming the quintet that would define the Mt. Joy sound.

By 2017, before releasing a full-length debut album, the band start touring alongside acts such as The Head and the Heart, The Shins, and Whitney, as well as playing festivals Bonnaroo and Lollapolooza. Quinn considers this time his “professional music education,” witnessing how touring bands handle the grueling schedule of tour life.

Mt. Joy’s released of their eponymous debut album in 2018. Led by Quinn’s emotive vocals and introspective lyricism, the album was a smash hit with listeners and critics alike. The band’s biggest hit-to-date was this single “Silver Living”, which Quinn wrote in college about his family member’s struggling with drug addiction. The album’s success propelled Mt. Joy into the spotlight, earning them widespread acclaim and a devoted fanbase.

Following the release of their debut album, Mt. Joy embarked on an extensive touring schedule, headlining their first North American tour. Their relentless touring efforts paid off, earning them accolades from critics and fans alike.

The band’s sophomore album, “Rearrange Us,” showcased a newfound maturity and depth in Quinn’s songwriting, exploring themes of love, loss, and self-discovery with honesty and vulnerability. Quinn’s introspective lyrics and soulful vocals remained at the heart of the album, while the band’s musical palette expanded to incorporate lush arrangements and intricate harmonies. Similarly, the band’s third album, “Orange Blood,” pushed the band’s sound in a more robust direction, while Quinn’s lyricism continued to be at the heart of the band’s identity.

In addition to his work as a musician, Quinn has been heralded for his activism and philanthropy. During the height of the pandemic, Quinn organized an Instagram Live stream that featured a variety of popular musicians, earning $30,000 for Music Cares and Philabundance. During the George Floyd protests, Quinn announced that 100% of profits from the first week of Mt. Joy’s sophomore album, which had just been released, would go to Campaign Zero, a nonprofit that strives to end police violence.

When not touring, Quinn splits his time between Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

Want to know more about Matt Quinn? You can visit the band’s website, https://www.mtjoyband.com, for more information, other upcoming tour dates, and more!

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