In the landscape of modern American music, some of the most intriguing stories emerge from the spaces between genres. Prettier Than Matt - the dynamic duo of Jessica Skinner Sims and Jeff Pitts - inhabits this liminal territory with a sound they've dubbed "Americana Pop," though even they admit that labels can't quite capture their musical alchemy.
Armed with a ukulele, a guitar, and a collection of improvised percussion created by their own feet, Prettier Than Matt transforms stages into intimate living rooms where stories unfold through crystalline harmonies and infectious melodies. Their name, borrowed from a friend's playful joke, has become a testament to the way they approach music - with reverence for craft but never at the expense of joy. This balance has carried them from small-town venues to national television, with their songs finding homes on shows like The Bachelorette and Temptation Island, and their live shows supporting acts like Edwin McCain and Sister Hazel.
Since their chance meeting through a mutual musician friend in 2010, what started as a side project quickly evolved into something more magnetic. Five albums deep, with originals like "Anymore" and "Small Town Famous" alongside cleverly reimagined cover songs (don't call them a cover band - they know where you live), Jessica and Jeff have mastered the art of serious musicianship wrapped in deliberate whimsy. Their live performances are as much about the banter between songs as the music itself - though they'll let you be the judge of how funny they actually are. Whether they're touring across America or venturing into Canada, Prettier Than Matt continues to prove that the best music, like the best stories, often comes from the unexpected spaces between the familiar.
DISCOGRAPHY
1. Play Pretty: released May 7, 2013
2. Prettier Than Matt: released October 30, 2014
3. Christmas Jams: released November 20, 2014
4. Better Left Said: released April 23, 2016
5. Uncover: released November 3, 2017
6. Cover: released August 23, 2018
7. Retrograde: released May 25, 2019
8. Colors: released April 9, 2021
9. Better Me (single): released April 28, 2023
10. The Gift That Keeps On Giving: coming November 29, 2024