Bio

Singer-Songwriter

MAT D

Dubbed as the "Hemingway of the Highway" by fans, singer-songwriter Mathew deRiso  has written, recorded and performed original music since 2006.  Vocalist and principle songwriter for the roots rock band The Profane Saints from 2006-2019.    Critics have hailed him as "A Young Steve Earle with a more powerful set of Pipes" "Lynyrd Skynyrd meets Rob Zombie" and "Gritty, Soulful Hard Luck Americana"   Mat has shared the stage with Chuck Berry, the Neville Brothers, David Alan Coe,  John Hiatt, Stoney LaRue,  Cody Johnson, The Bottle Rockets, Bruce Hornsby, Michael McDermott, Ziggy Marley, The Reverend Horton Heat, Bonnie Raitt and the Avett Brothers. 

In 2006, Mat D became the principle songwriter, acoustic guitarist and vocalist for Mat D and the Profane Saints.  Several albums followed to critical acclaim, international radio airplay and regional success.  The band performed and toured throughout  Iowa,  Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota before  disbanding in early 2019.

Mat lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  His latest album  JERICHO GAP was released on March 2023 on independent record label SMC Records.  

Music

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PRESS PHOTOS

Press / Reviews

"During today’s age of ‘Bro’ Country, an artist like Mat D is the ultimate musical refreshment for those of us that crave real, heartfelt, from the gut music. It’s storytelling at its best, and Mat D’s heart and voice bleeds truth when he sings.  I’ve been in country radio for 30-plus years, and the best and most moving acoustic performance I’ve had live on the air is Mat D...Music to me is supposed to be about truth, and Mat D’s version of the truth and world as he sees it makes for gripping music that restores my faith in tight bands and true songwriters. What I really like about him?  I don’t know what genre to place him in. That to me is the true art of the world of music."

-Joel "Big j" Van Dover    Duane Doobie Radio Info Magazine

 

"It’s a crying shame that the world at large isn’t familiar with this guy yet. It’s time for that to change. Country, Americana, Southern rock, call it what you want to call it. I’ll just call it bad-ass." 

-Fred Phillips somethingelsereviews.com

 

 

 

"I've been in and around music and the business of music, since the early 1970's. In all that time I've heard a lot of bad music, a lot of good music but very little GREAT music. This is GREAT music; well written, well played, solidly produced...from beginning to end the finest example of Americana Rockabilly I have ever heard... It stacks up with Haggard, Johnny Cash, Elvis, and kicks the liver out of most major label attempts in this genre" 

- Jim Pipkin Hickorywind.org

 

"Mat D’s Plank Road Drag is an ambitious record that hits on all cylinders to set a high water mark for any other contender for this year’s album of the year."

-Baron Lane  Twangnation.com

 

"Vocally supreme, Mat D has the talent to take his music to bigger stages. The fact that the writing and clear devotion to the performance are so faultlessly in keeping with the high bar set by that voice, is simply the icing on top."

-Rebecca Cullen  Stereo Stickman 

 

MAT D is currently available for solo/acoustic and FULL BAND shows.  

Acoustic shows can be booked for maximum of 3 hours.  Acoustic gigs showcase primarily original material with a few covers.  Available as an opening or headline act.  

 Full band shows can be booked for a maximum of 1-1/2 hours.  Full band shows feature all original material with few to no covers.  We are available as an opening or headline act. 

Please use the contact form below to for all booking inquiries or email mderiso@matdhardluckamericana.com  

BOOKING INQUIRIES

Upcoming Shows