Krissy Matthews

Pizza Man Blues Krissy Matthews

What do you do when your world disappears overnight? By spring 2020, at the grand old age of 28, Krissy Matthews had been a full-time professional musician for more than half his life. Since walking out of the school gates at 16, the British-Norwegian bandleader had measured his existence in albums, tours and broken guitar strings, his thousand-plus shows across the world testament to his insatiable drive, his reputation summed up by the words of Howlin' Wolf's fabled sideman, Hubert Sumlin: "Oh boy, this kid can play..."

Released on Ruf Records in 2021, Pizza Man Blues is a snapshot of the moment those certainties were snatched away, with songs that tell of watching the life you knew torn down, then building it back and seeing things clearer as a result. "This last year, we've all had to adapt to circumstances," reflects Matthews. "I've been forced off the road, but I've tried to keep the engine alive, keep earning, not lose my passion. I've done so many jobs, like pizza and flower delivery driver, tree surgeon assistant, volunteering for the NHS. These songs are all about the experiences I've had."