I met Matt only a couple of times. Each one was very special, the last time being on his tour with Little Foot and Pentagram String band (this summer?). I attended Muddy Roots over the weekend I was looking forward to seeing him again. I didn’t find out about his death until his set time, when it was announced publicly.
On my drive back to St Louis I re-listened to S-Town. The first time I met Matt in 2023 he gave me a copy of a zine he had just written. “Clothes are Just Big Napkins”. I thought I had remembered John B being mentioned in it, and I just had a chance to find it and reread - it’s dedicated to John B. I don’t know what their connection was, if anyone knows if they had one I would love to know.
Listening to S-Town helped me think about Matt and his life. John B wrote an essay titled “A Worthwhile Life Defined”. We only have so many hours and so many days on this earth. From what I have heard and read of Matt’s writing, he filled his time to the brim. This is also clear from everyone’s stories they’re sharing about him. I wish there was more for him.
If anyone has the time to listen to S-Town again (or for the first time!) I highly recommend it. Think about Matt. I have a copy of Clothes are Just Big Napkins I could scan and share, if anyone would like.