Karl McHugh Band + Matt Jaffe

No stranger to the UICC stage, Karl McHugh weaves his Irish heritage into a fusion of folk and rock that resonates with classic storytelling and contemporary arrangements. Hailing from Donegal, Ireland, and now calling the San Francisco Bay Area home, Karl draws inspiration from legendary artists like Paul Simon, Billy Joel and The Frames. His unique musical style creates an engaging and inclusive atmosphere evoking a house party singalong vibe: fun, warm, and good for a laugh!

Karl’s music has earned recognition on both sides of the Atlantic. He has graced prestigious stages such as the Irish National Concert Hall with the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra and Davies Symphony Hall with the San Francisco Girls Chorus. His Easy Life EP features deeply personal songs inspired by his struggle with US immigration, including the track “No One Told Me About You,” which documents his journey from Ireland to America and was featured on USA Network’s hit series Temptation Island. Additionally, his single “Keep Dreamin’,” part of his Patreon Song Series, earned the prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting award by The Great American Songwriting Contest. Karl’s music continues to garner acclaim, appearing on several national TV shows and ad campaigns in both the United States and Ireland. Most recently, he composed the music for The Pennsylvanian, a play by Jennifer Roberts.

In addition to being an accomplished performer, Karl is a dedicated music producer and former music teacher, sharing his passion and knowledge with aspiring musicians. He serves as the vice-president of the West Coast Songwriters Association, an organization committed to the development and success of songwriters through education, collaboration, and performance opportunities.

Karl McHugh’s solo career began after his time as a founding member of the Irish-American rock band McHugh & Devine. The band’s releases, including The Movie Blues EP and Emerald Hills album, earned them acclaim for their distinctive songwriting.

After cutting his teeth on open mics around the Bay Area, San Francisco songwriter Matt Jaffe was discovered by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads. Together, they produced his first album at the age of 16, cementing Matt's dedication to music. Soon, he formed a band, dropped out of college, and has not looked back.

Since then, Matt has cowritten with Tom Higgenson of Plain White T’s, opened shows for Blues Traveler and Wilco, and recorded nine albums, trying to make listeners think and dance simultaneously.

Matt has served as musical director for experimental theater, collaborated with poets on genre-bending spoken word, and curated residencies among fellow songwriters. Having had seizures since 2015, Matt also uses his music to unite local and national epilepsy communities. Matt has just released his seventh album, Gone Enough to Miss, and is in the process of finishing its follow up for release in 2025.

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0lTsklkHVb4uYKTFSDhhlh?si=s0sydThvTxmVY-ZmM9gpsg

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