Biography
Since its 1997 incorporation, Black Potatoe Records in New Jersey has cultivated an independent rock scene by championing emerging acts from Hunterdon County. The label name deliberately echoes Dan Quayle’s well-known misspelling. Its flagship act, Angus, delivers folk-rock shaped by the Band, Guster, and the Grateful Dead. Core members include Clinton, New Jersey native Matthew Angus, who handles rhythm guitar and lead vocals, alongside Kim Williams on piano, Hammond B3 organ, flute, violin, and backing vocals; John Davies on bass; Jamie Coan on violin, lead guitar, and mandolin; Megan Ernakovich on piano and vocals; and Dave Becker on drums. The band’s 2000 album Face the Day juxtaposes mid-tempo, organ-heavy folk-rock tracks with reflective country-rock ballads, one of which—“That Night”—features Levon Helm of the Band.
Matthew Angus conceived the project in 1988 while studying at the University of Southern California, where he interned at TicketMaster and A&M Records. After returning to New Jersey in 1993, he joined the cover band Tip in the Cow, which included several future Angus musicians and specialized in material by the Band, the Allman Brothers Band, and the Grateful Dead. Over time he assembled a committed lineup, and Angus made its live debut opening for Rick Danko of the Band at Atomic Productions in Clinton in 1996. This performance initiated ongoing ties with the Band’s circle; Garth Hudson contributed accordion to the 1997 debut album track “Where Are We Now?” and appeared at the accompanying release event during that year’s Black Potatoe Music Festival.
Angus issued its sophomore album, Outstanding in Their Field, in 1999, followed by the EPs Angus EP and Fall Out. The group established its online presence at www.angusmusic.com in 2000, the same year Face the Day gained national distribution via Borders Books and Music Cafe. Its October 15, 2000 performance at the House of Blues in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was streamed live on www.hob.com on January 30, 2001, and archived on the site two days later.
Matthew Angus conceived the project in 1988 while studying at the University of Southern California, where he interned at TicketMaster and A&M Records. After returning to New Jersey in 1993, he joined the cover band Tip in the Cow, which included several future Angus musicians and specialized in material by the Band, the Allman Brothers Band, and the Grateful Dead. Over time he assembled a committed lineup, and Angus made its live debut opening for Rick Danko of the Band at Atomic Productions in Clinton in 1996. This performance initiated ongoing ties with the Band’s circle; Garth Hudson contributed accordion to the 1997 debut album track “Where Are We Now?” and appeared at the accompanying release event during that year’s Black Potatoe Music Festival.
Angus issued its sophomore album, Outstanding in Their Field, in 1999, followed by the EPs Angus EP and Fall Out. The group established its online presence at www.angusmusic.com in 2000, the same year Face the Day gained national distribution via Borders Books and Music Cafe. Its October 15, 2000 performance at the House of Blues in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was streamed live on www.hob.com on January 30, 2001, and archived on the site two days later.
Albums
Superseed
2025
Thousand Lands
2023
LP 1
2017
Memoria Del Tempo Passato
2013
The Originals
2006
Face The Day
2000
Angus
1997
Singles
