Matt Koelsch Bio
A passionate and thoughtful singer-songwriter, Matt Koelsch (pronounced “kel-sh”) blends introspective lyrics, dynamic rhythms, and soaring vocals to craft music that resonates deeply with audiences. Drawing inspiration from his New England roots and personal journey, his songs reflect the highs, lows, and transformative moments that have shaped his life.
At the height of the 2008 financial crisis, Koelsch made a bold pivot—leaving a promising career in finance to pursue his true calling in music. Since then, he has thrived as a full-time musician, captivating listeners with his signature mix of heartfelt storytelling and engaging, genre-blending sound. His performances—often infused with falsetto, guitar solos, and even whistling—deliver a bold and original take on alternative-pop, drawing from elements of pop, rock, folk, and singer-songwriter traditions.
Koelsch’s music strikes a balance between infectious, upbeat tunes and tender, emotional ballads. His vibrant melodies get audiences dancing, while his more intimate tracks explore love, loss, and longing through stripped-down arrangements and poetic lyricism.
With over 1.5 million streams and 3,000+ physical records sold, Koelsch has built a loyal fanbase through relentless touring and engaging live performances. He has played more than 1,000 shows—sometimes clocking as many as 170 gigs a year—ranging from intimate venues to large-scale festivals. Highlights include sharing stages with members of REM, Pink Floyd, and Toto, as well as supporting acts like Hootie & The Blowfish, Collective Soul, Edwin McCain, and Phoenix. He has also performed alongside contestants from The Voice and American Idol, and played to a crowd of over 5,000 at the Lights Festival in Barstow, CA.
Koelsch and his band held a long-standing residency at Disney in Anaheim, CA, further cementing his reputation as a captivating live performer. His work has earned coverage in respected outlets like American Songwriter, Paste Magazine, Huffington Post, EarMilk, and PopWrapped.
A lifelong student of music, Koelsch earned a summer scholarship to Berklee College of Music and holds a Bachelor of Science from Providence College. He has furthered his studies at UMASS Amherst, Providence College, and the Herb Alpert Music Center in Los Angeles, where he continues to deepen his understanding of harmony, production, composition, and performance across multiple genres.
As a producer and composer, Koelsch has been expanding his creative reach. He previously recorded at the iconic Capitol Studios in Hollywood and is currently producing emerging artists and scoring an upcoming independent drama/suspense film. His latest album, produced under indie label Turbulent Records, showcases his versatility—with tracks ranging from brassy, uptempo stories to lush, string-driven ballads and subtle electronic textures. The project features top-tier session players with credits including Adele, Halsey, John Mayer, and Hans Zimmer.
Koelsch’s evolving sound draws comparisons to artists like Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, David Gray, Dave Matthews Band, Ben Howard, Paul Simon, and Elton John. With 75–175 performances annually and a steady stream of fresh, heartfelt releases, Matt Koelsch continues to grow as a respected voice in the alternative-pop scene.
Genre: Pop | Rock | Folk | Alternative Record Label: Turbulent Records
Has Shared the Stage With: James Taylor, Hootie & The Blowfish, Collective Soul, Edwin McCain, John Hiatt, Pierce the Veil, Passion Pit, Lucy Spraggan (X-Factor UK), Karmin, Kris Allen & Casey Abrams (American Idol), St. Lucia, Livingston Taylor, and members of REM, Pink Floyd, Toto, and the Posies.
Influences: Jack Johnson, John Mayer, David Gray, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz, Paul Simon, Ben Howard, Elton John