There’s a reason audiences don’t flock to bands comprised of robots. Enjoyment is not about a given note or mechanical adherence. Rather, music is much more about the bounce and joy that might encase a melody or chosen rhythmic pattern. And that’s what Seattle-based drummer, Matt Goodin, specializes in. He is the grinning ripple effect emanating from a drum kit played with honest passion and intellectual adoration. Combine that with decades of experience and you have the essentials, mixed with a little bit of magic.
Born in Reno, Nevada, Goodin began playing drums at 12 years old and music has been a mainstay ever since. At first, Goodin began writing songs with friends as a teenager. Years later, he moved to the Emerald City in 2006 to pursue a career. Throughout the interim 15 years, Goodin has played and recorded professionally, toured and had a hand in just about every aspect of the business. Notable accompaniments include performing alongside legends like Naughty By Nature and members of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, as well as most noteworthy Pacific Northwesterners.
Goodin has played just about every significant venue in Seattle, including the Showbox, Neumos, Crocodile, Nectar and the Tractor Tavern. He’s performed at coveted festivals like Bumbershoot, Doe Bay Fest and Reverb Music Fest. He’s recorded with Grammy-winner, Jack Endino, and his music has been featured in film and notable television series such as HBO’s Vice. He’s currently the man behind the drums for Seattle’s beloved 45th St Brass and former drummer for the Seattle based Hip Hop group Southside. As a Music Director for School of Rock, Goodin teaches music and works to showcase its variety. Goodin, who has played in numerous bands along his journey, aims to ensure that at least one thing always shines through in each of his efforts: that he cares. It shines through.
Testimonials
“Being a touring musician every so often you have to hire someone out of town that you’ve never met in person and hope they learn the songs well enough to play your first shows together. Showing up to Seattle and playing music with Matt was amazing. He was very professional and learned the songs better than I would have imagined. It’s not easy playing a festival as your first show together. We played Bumbershoot. He fit in like family and played amazing. Here are some photos from that weekend. I hope we play again together soon. Highly, highly recommend Matt Goodin for drums. You won’t be disappointed!”
-Josh Desure
Bumbershoot 2018 KEXP Stage with Desure
“Matt Goodin is the embodiment of hard work, dedication, and genuine kindness. His unwavering commitment to his craft is truly remarkable, evident in the passion he infuses into every performance. With a tireless work ethic and an unyielding pursuit of excellence, Matt consistently strives to deliver nothing short of his best. It is clear that he puts in the time and effort to make every show a true representation of himself and his musical prowess. Beyond his musicianship, Matt's infectious enthusiasm radiates on and off the stage, leaving a lasting impression on both fellow musicians and fans. His positive impact extends far beyond his music, as he genuinely cares about those around him and goes out of his way to uplift and support others. Matt Goodin is not only a remarkable and talented drummer but also a genuinely good human being. I cannot recommend him enough to anyone in search of an extraordinary musician who embodies the values of hard work, dedication, and kindness.”
— Peter Daniel Bandleader & Composer of 45th St Brass
Chinook Fest 2019 45th St Brass
“Matt is a total pro. What sets him aside from other drummers is that he does his homework. He will listen and study tracks you send and pick up all the subtleties and feels and bring it to the performance. From surf, to rock, to disco, to latin - he has you covered!”
— Cheryl Serio
“Matt is a dream to work with: great skills, strength, musical intelligence, and a killer work ethic to top it all off. He showed up to rehearsal incredibly prepared on a wide array of complex songs, earning our whole band’s complete confidence in very short order and providing us with everything we needed to have an ideal show. He was also a ton of fun both onstage and off (and wore his slip well). I would book Matt again in a heartbeat and count myself lucky.”
- Angie Louise, singer-composer-bandleader for The Love Markets
Live at The O Space with The Love Markets
"Matt is a legit pro. He's always my first call when I need a sub because I know he'll show up prepared and deliver the goods."
— Troy Lund
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Matt on the Seattle leg of Misfit Cabaret's ASYLUM tour and he was absolutely phenomenal. He was extremely professional, and within one short rehearsal he had all of the material down. He took the pressure off me having to worry about the musicality of the show, and both me and MD Brendan really enjoyed working with him. He also has a great personality, is fun to be around, and rolls with the punches, which is great when you're doing live theater. It's a great comfort knowing that my show can call on him again when we're in need of a fantastic drummer.”
-Kat Robichaud, Kat Robichaud's Misfit Cabaret
Misfit Cabaret 2021 Photo by Marcia Davis
Misfit Cabaret 2024 at The Triple Door
Misfit Cabaret 2021 Cast Photo by Marcia Davis
Misfit Cabaret 2024 at The Triple Door
Misfit Cabaret 2024 at The Triple Door
“When Matt plays, extraordinary things happen, because he is more than your drummer - he is the power source of which all the players connect. I remember witnessing this first hand from the audience at an open mic at Darrell's Tavern in 2011. Some cat hit him up to back him on his 3 songs, and Matt got up there not only lit up the stage, but he created time and space for the other players to tap into if they wanted. I thought to myself, "My god, there's my drummer!" And it took months to nail him down. We played together until I decided to put the band to rest, but hands down, he is a solid and honorable person who is passionate about his craft, and I miss playing with him. Just know that when you ask Matt to play, you are summoning a force.”
-J-kNee January, Bandleader & Songwriter of The Januariez
The Januariez with Alice Bag
