Jay Mathes is a performing songwriter. It's as simple and as complicated as that. His music is often compared with Counting Crows' stirring melodies, John Mayer's intricate guitar, Switchfoot's contemplative lyrics, and Sister Hazel's spirited live shows. Mathes reminds us of why we love music.

"The record industry would say my style is adult alternative, but nobody knows what that is," says Mathes. "My music is about memorable hooks and rhythms that you can bob your head to."

Over the past 18 months, Mathes has toured the Midwest, playing solo shows (mostly colleges) to support his new EP, "The Nashville Sessions". This season, he's looking to forward to playing shows all over the country. Past stops include: University of Illinois - Champaign/Urbana, Loyola University, Elmhurst College, and Northern Illinois University.

As a performer, Mathes hopes that his own love of music will have a positive impact on the people around him. "Every night," Mathes says, "my goal is always the same: to bring the joy that I find in performing to my audience. I write about love and faith and life because it excites me, and I want that passion to overflow into the hearts and minds of those who hear me play."