Meeting the Neighbors: Muzzle of Bees

Early last year we started a feature called “Meeting the Neighbors” based on the concept that the Madison blogosphere is one big neighborhood and that as neighbors we should get to know each other. The concept is simple; each blogger gets the same list of questions and can take them in any direction they wish. So far it has been fairly successful and this week is no different. We start the year off with Madison's top music blog Muzzle of Bees. MOB shocked Madison in August when it took third place for the Isthmus Favorite's poll for Favorite Local Blog Content. The title is a testament to the quality and energy MOB founder Ryan Matteson has invested into his website. On January 16 MOB will be hosting a two-year anniversary party at Cafe Montmartre. The picture to the left is of Matteson (on the right) with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco (the hairy guy).

1. What inspired you to start your blog?

In early 2005 I was about to embark on a backpacking trip across Europe with my best friend. I wanted to be able to keep an online diary for my friends and family back in Wisconsin that allowed them to follow along on our adventures as well as know that we were still alive.

After that trip I decided that instead of sending out daily e-mails to my friends about bands or upcoming concerts in Madison or Milwaukee that I would instead post them on my website. I continue to be surprised that people outside of my circle of friends stop by, but am grateful that they do.

2. Where did the name of your blog originate from, and when did the blog start?

I had been listening to Wilco’s 2004 release, A Ghost Is Born a lot and the track Muzzle of Bees was a favorite from the very beginning. I needed a name, and I couldn’t think of anything original. I made my first post on January 19th, which was announcing the Ray LaMontagne show at the High Noon Saloon.

3. What is the most rewarding facet of writing on the internet?

Having the freedom to write about and share music that I really enjoy with friends as well as total strangers. It’s amazing how music can bring people together and introduce you to a world of new discoveries.

It’s also nice to have a timeline of when I started listening to certain artists and have an easy reference point to what music was important to me at certain points of my life.

4. Describe the space you do your writing in.

The majority of my writing is done at my apartment in the early morning right before I go to work each day. I also try putting together some thoughts for future posts at the end of each day so I have plenty of things to choose from the following morning. My job affords a lot of travel opportunities which results in a good number of posts from different cities, mostly hotel rooms.

5. What do you do for kicks when you're not posting?
I travel when I can. I love being home and enjoy my time in Madison, but I also jump on any chance I can to get away with my friends or girlfriend to a place that I’ve never been before. There’s a lot of world out there and I want to do my best to see the most I can before my time is up.

Lately, I’ve been preparing for the Mad City Marathon on May 27th. It’s one of the biggest undertakings of my life mentally and physically, so that has been taking up a lot of time and I hope I’m able to follow through and finish.

I enjoy sports a lot with special attention always given to the Badgers, Notre Dame Football, and the Milwaukee Brewers. I try to get out and take in as many sporting events that I can each year.

6. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Madison?

Reputation. I’m always amazing by the wonderful reputation the city of Madison has earned. Wherever my travels take me there are always people who have heard or have great things to say about our city. That means a lot, and the citizens should really hold their heads high knowing that. The city of Madison has a lot of great things going for it, especially for people in my age bracket.

7. Is there one thing about the city you wish was different or something the city is missing you wish it had?

Great question the only thing that I really wish the city had was a closer proximity to the ocean. I get a little jealous of all my friends in California when I get them on the phone to hear all about how their bon fire, surf session, or camping trip in December was.

8. Where do you enjoy eating the most in Madison (or Dane County)?

In my opinion you can’t get a better cheeseburger in the city than those at the Village Bar on Mineral Point. I’ve been going there since I moved back to the city in 2004, and while I don’t get there as often as I would like, each time I’m there whole atmosphere reminds me of my hometown.

9. If you could replace the word "blogs" in the cultural lexicon, what would you replace it with?

Bumblebee Tuna. I actually had to reach out to a friend for some advice on this question, and I think he answered with something I could get behind.

10. Finally, name one person you wish kept a blog and what you think they would title it (can be living or dead).

My roommate, Tim. Tim has been one of my best friends for a long time and he’s pretty much your average fan of everything. Sports, Music, Fashion, Bars, Movies, etc Tim doesn’t have one thing he’s truly interested in. Awhile back he said that if he ever blogged, he would call it Average Fan because he’s and average fan about everything. Nothing ever blows him away, but I sure would love to read his commentary and reviews.