On this episode of Sullivan’s Backstage Pass, we sit down with Portland guitarist, singer-songwriter, and rising Pacific Northwest powerhouse Andrew Matthews for a deep dive into the music, the grind, and the freedom of live performance. Andrew opens up about starting guitar on a cheap beginner Strat copy, cutting his teeth at blues jams in Oregon City, and how playing with veterans helped shape his sound, stage confidence, and understanding of band dynamics.

We get into the bigger questions behind the music: what makes a great live set, why dynamics and volume matter, how musicians communicate onstage, and what it really takes to make the jump from playing covers to writing and performing original material. Andrew talks candidly about learning from the blues scene, getting pulled into more punk and alternative spaces through his partner Violet, and how those worlds changed the way he writes, records, and performs.

There are also some especially interesting moments in this conversation, including Andrew’s thoughts on the “three chords and the truth” punk stereotype, the pressure of original music versus covers, the realities of venue support and why he believes musicians should keep playing with people who challenge them. He shares stories about his first paid gig filling in for a Rolling Stones tribute band, playing major stages like the Waterfront Blues Festival, and the mindset that lets him improvise huge solos while staying locked in with the band.

If you love honest talk about performance, tone, improvisation, and the work behind the art, this episode delivers.

Andrew currently leads The Andrew Matthews Band, fronts original punk/alt-rock duo The Slightest Bits, plays guitar with The Revival Brothers Band (an Allman Brothers tribute), and is active in multiple other projects including Daddy’s Vinyl (cover band), The Rock Doctors, Rolling Tones, Valhalla (Led Zeppelin tribute), Californication, and Arena Rock Gold. You can find his upcoming shows, music, and more at AndrewMatthewsLive.com.