Decatur native Livasy enjoys coming home!
Updated: Friday, January 9, 2009 7:17 AM CST

By ALICIA SPATES - H&R Staff Writer

Musician Matt Livasy has found himself making more and more trips back home to Decatur to perform.

And according to the Collinsville resident, he may be making even more trips if he and Decatur's Cornerstone Tavern work out a schedule for Livasy to play regularly.

Livasy will appear at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Cornerstone. He will be joined by percussionist and friend Patton Penhallegon, formerly of Mount Zion.

Livasy moved away from Decatur nearly five years ago to attend Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He ended up staying in the college town permanently and has no regrets about doing so. He found success, playing one to four shows a week.

"I've been playing my music for six years, and it has been my sole source of income for the past three years," he said.

Livasy's gimmick helps in booking shows regularly. Usually performing on stage by himself, Livasy puts his whole body to work as a one-man band.

"I develop my loops live so the audience can see every step it takes as I control the three Boss loop pedals with my feet, amongst other pedals that influence my sound," Livasy said on his Web site. "I first create the beat box and sample that, then I add bass and either my acoustic or electric guitar, or other instrument of choice, and not necessarily in that order. I control all of my sound by my lonesome."

None of his music is prerecorded. He plays a variety of original songs and covers from punk to reggae and from Led Zeppelin to Ice Cube.

But lately, booking shows hasn't been as easy in the Southern Illinois bars.

"I don't know if it's been because of the economy going down or me becoming lazy," he joked. "Lately, it's been a little tough for me.

"The no-smoking ban had a huge impact on me and some friends."

The 24-year-old is hoping to book a steady gig with the Cornerstone, after performing at the bar 14 times last year.

Kostaki Chiligiris, co-owner of the tavern, said Livasy brings in a crowd when he performs.

"It's really cool to watch him play and see how he loops his music," he said. "He appeals to all ages."

Livasy has begun recording his impromptu live shows and putting them on CDs, which he sells for some added income.

He continues to work on new music, yet his schooling remains a big part of his life.

Livasy is pursuing his master's degree in professional counsel from McKendree University in Lebanon. He said a master's degree is "something to fall back on, in case I break a finger or something." He graduated for SIU-Edwardsville with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in music in 2007.

Performing in Decatur more often doesn't mean Livasy is moving back home, but each gig gives him a chance to visit with his family, his biggest supporters.

"My music gives me an excuse to come home and see familiar faces," he said. "I get to talk it up with people and all that good stuff. I always like returning home."