Plaintiff

Matthew Zarder is a Central Texas songwriter whose music moves between intimate folk storytelling and the textured, emotionally charged sound of his indie-rock project, Plaintiff. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Elliott Smith, Conor Oberst, James McMurtry, and John Prine, his songs pair cutting narratives with melodies that can feel equally at home in a quiet room or surrounded by a full band. Plaintiff is now releasing singles from its second studio album, its first in four years, a record that explores abandoned parts of the self and midlife reckoning. Plaintiff explores the underbelly of a crumbling middle class with melodic arrangements and cutting lyricism.