Regional Americana group looking to expand roots

Already a veteran in music, Mathew deRiso is working to take his career to the next level.

And he’s beginning in Mitchell.

Mat D and the Profane Saints will open their regional American Roadhouse Tour at 9:30 p.m. Friday at Signatures. There will be a $5 cover charge. Women are admitted for free.

The American Roadhouse Tour will feature frontman deRiso as both a solo artist and with his band, the Profane Saints.

DeRiso grew up playing punk music in various garage bands in the 1980s. But after watching music icon Bob Dylan play live in Sioux City, deRiso changed his musical direction. He is from Denver, but relocated to Sioux City, where he and the rest of his bandmates are based.

Although Mat D and the Profane Saints have gone on the road before, this is the group’s first trip performing consistently month to month. Besides a Mitchell show, Mat D and the Profane Saints will open for American Idol performer Bucky Covington at the Sioux Falls Jazz Fest in July. Several other Sioux Falls shows are scheduled this month, too.

Describing his music as “Johnny Cash on steroids,” deRiso has been playing and recording with the Profane Saints since 2006.

So far, the group has four albums that are a mix of old country and blues rhythms. DeRiso has three solo albums.

“I use a lot of American mythology,” he said of his songwriting. “I try to tell stories. Other times I’m trying to purvey a sense of something they can identify with. If they can get something out of it, I’ve done my job.”

“Plank Road Drag,” released in 2010 by the band, boosted the group’s recognition. It was named album of the year by www.twangnation.com, an online music blogging site.

“It really started to put us on the map, giving us more national exposure,” deRiso said.

He credited the album “Dirt Town City Limits” for the group’s amplified success, too.

“We had a strong following, so it just made sense to hit the road and build a fan base,” deRiso said.

With the American Roadhouse Tour, Mat D and the Profane Saints are looking to draw a fun crowd.

“We’re just coming in and playing good music,” deRiso said. “This is a nice way to bring the music to an audience.”

To learn more about Mat D and the Profane Saints, or to listen to the band’s music, visit www.matdandtheprofanesaints.com.

Tags: life, entertainment, signatures