Gambles - A Trip to a One-Man Island

August 7th, 2013, Brooklyn, New York- To paint a portrait of the harmonious experience Gambles created that night is hardly a challenge.

To stay silent was the simplest test while listening to Matthew Daniel Siskin sing and strum his poetry during this particular night at Glasslands.

From the first song - though I was but a mere speck amongst the intimate crowd of music-enthusiasts - I could still easily feel the emotional presence radiate off the stage and fill us all like a warm cup of coffee.

Father’s song had a unique huskiness to it, like a cigarette-clouded sound. A smoke-like song with lyrics that waft of curiosity.

 

When he sings Trust, the lyrics are so thick in effect you can almost "touch" the words. The song continues to feel honest and personal each time I hear it.

Safe Side had quite the passionate edge to it. Very sandpaper rough and paper-cut sharp. If you listen to the words (and after hearing how he sings it), it's almost as if you're being challenged to play the darkest version of a Truth or Dare game. The words

are thick and sticky with thrilling fearlessness.. like a poetic ghost story.

 

Of course Far From Your Arms had just the right amount of energy and fluidity. I could also feel a sense of "weeping" hidden beneath the words, which I loved. Like witnessing an entrancing struggle in the form of a song; truly poetic in its bitter-sweetness.

The song donates a voice to the "voice of reason". With lyrics resembling the pearls of wisdom a loving grandfather would pass onto a child, it appears to stem from a lifetime of lessons learned. A lesson which bestows a revelation of strength that proceeds after longing and sacrifice - the way it was always meant to be taught.

"You breath my lungs, you keep me strong"... to my ears these lyrics sound and feel like the comfort that bonds the closest, long-distance friendships together.

One of his newest songs Animal, was not only a unique and theatrical portrayal of love, it had such an upbeat and catchy sound. The best part of the performance of this song was the direction the song was carried to (emotionally)... to Nola.

Even hearing Gambles through a pair of headphones - if you close your eyes - you'll feel as if you're sharing the same street corner, as he plays for you lo-fi folk-song style.

Personally, one of my favorite things about of Siskin's music is the way the rawness in his voice can be captured digitally just as it does live.

There is also so much pureness in everything from his voice, to the lyrics, and his performance on stage. When he plays his music it's like he's simply jamming with his closest friends comfortably, no matter the crowd size.

For me, the lack of poetry in music was beginning to feel nearly comparable with the disappointment of a repetitively kicked dead-horse. It was making me feel homesick for Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and Bob Dylan.

When Gambles takes the stage I am hopeful of its presence once more and grateful for the lost art of poetry finally peeking its head out of the music pond again.

Written by- Sara Taylor Siskin