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The Journey Of Champlain Valley Musician Matteo Palmer


photo by Bloom Machine Photography

Tuesday March 13, 2018

By Cookie Steponaitis

Matteo Palmer had visions of maybe studying architecture when he was walking along the streets of his Addison County hometown as a youth. Surrounded by music growing up; especially the sounds of Bruce Springsteen, it was not until his parents encouraged him to seriously consider pursuing a career in music that Palmer gave the concept real thought. Starting guitar at the age of nine, Palmer was quickly frustrated as many young musicians are and moved from guitar to playing trumpet. As a member of a jazz band in middle school, Palmer fell back in love with his guitar and began to play again. However, it was just after his fifteenth birthday when Palmer and the acoustic guitar came together. Since then Palmer’s musical career has taken off and away from his Addison County home providing him with the opportunity to learn and collaborate with many talented teachers and professionals. Palmer both writes and performs and embraces all kinds of music and has not been disappointed. “I can’t say that any specific style of music is my passion,” shared Palmer. “I really like most music and I enjoy writing for so many different genres. Of course, my fingerstyle guitar work will always be a huge part of my life, but since high school I’ve definitely expanded into some other musical realms. I have always loved film and video game music. I also love solo piano, electronic, R& B, jazz and my passion for music does not lie in just one genre. I have made so many friends and connections at school and have learned so much. Many of my music professors were and still are mentors to me. I will always consider Will Ackerman, the producer of my first two albums, to be a huge mentor and contributor to may musical voice.”
    While living in Minnesota and attending college for music composition, Palmer has released two acoustic guitar albums and this last December released his latest called, Opaline Sky. Palmer also releases electronic EP under the name DRACARY’s. Adding piano work into his music, Palmer continues to evolve and grow. Palmer’s passion for acoustic fingerstyle guitar started after seeing Alex De Grassi perform and is showcased in his first album Out of Nothing which was produced by Grammy award guitarist Will Ackerman at Wil’s Imaginary Road Studios.  Palmer is recognized nationally and internationally for his guitar playing and appeared last year at the 11th annual Zone Reporter Awards Show in New Orleans. “I have had the honor of working with some of the most influential guitarists in the latter of the 20th century and feel utterly confident in saying that Matteo Palmer is the real deal,” remarked Ackerman.
    With the world continuing to open up, Palmer does not get back to his hometown as much as he would like but carries a bit of the Champlain Valley with him wherever he goes. Music motivates this young man to create and bring to each new piece and endeavor the passion to explore and experience all he can. Those looking to follow Palmer’s path can find his music on Spotify or check out his website www.matteopalme
rmusic.com . To hear the style of acoustic finger style of playing that launched him into his musical career listen to him play El Gaucho by checking out www.matteopalmermusic.com/videos.


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