Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Mattson.
Christine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My first guitar was a loner from a friend as I couldn’t afford one myself, I was in community college and 21 years old. I started writing songs right away and had included the harmonica early on. It was a year later I started playing out in pubs and open mics in the duo, 75 Walls – which was my phone number at the time. This was before cell phones. For 4 years we got paid to play 3 hour sets, sneaking in our original music. In 2004, after losing my father to lung cancer, I decided to pursue a career in the yachting industry ultimately getting my USCG captains license in 2007. For 11 years I worked on an array of sailboats, 6 of those years I was a full time captain on two different sailboats. I lived on the boats I worked on and only carried with me a bag of clothes/gear, a long skateboard and my guitar. I played out as much as I could in whatever port I found myself in from Newport, RI to Antigua. I was a modern nomad. Most of the songs on my first album, Everything & Nothing, I wrote while on the water. In 2015 I decided to move home to Michigan and abruptly stopped playing. I’m still not completely sure why but it took 9 years to get it back. Last year I started recording and writing again and I haven’t stopped. I’ve been playing out again and plan to keep going. Today I’m having the 1st Annual Backyard Music Bash at my home with local musicians, food & drinks! It’s mostly female artists—fittingly, the same week the Lilith Fair documentary is being released:)
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a female captain has had its challenges. Mostly when asked who the captain on the boat was, when I responded it was myself, I would get looks of confusion and/or disbelief. During a delivery when I was crew on a 60′ sloop from West Palm Beach, FL to Antigua when we stopped in the British Virgin Islands for fuel I was kicked off the boat for not sleeping with the captain. You grow a thick skin when you’re working in a man dominated profession. I would find solace in my music.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I was going back and forth to answer questions about my real estate career or my music. As a realtor since 2018, my success has afforded me a home with Muskegon Lake views and a beautiful sailboat of my own. It is a rewarding career helping clients find ‘land homes’ as I called them in the beginning:) However my true passion is in my music.
The songs that have transpired over the years, I’ve been told, sound timeless. The rawness and inspiring nature of my lyrics, while incorporating the harmonica sets me apart.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Music is healing. In today’s political climate I feel that it is so important to remind everyone that we’re all in this together, that life is short and being kind to one another is imperative. Most of my songs have a message with one or all of these important messages. What matters to me the most is to be inspiring to all human beings on this planet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://christinemattson.net/ and https://www.mattsonrealty.com/
- Instagram: @christine_mattson_music @christine_mattson_realtor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christine.mattson.792
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristineMattsonMusic-wo4vk
- Other: https://christinemattson.bandcamp.com/
