Forever changed by this feature with the game-changing inspiration of Crys Matthews and Chicken & Pastries. Check out the recipe below! 

I recently had the chance to catch up with Crys Matthews at Sunflower Bakehouse in Nashville. We shared some deep conversation paired with a matcha latte and Crys’s own specialty, a juice spritzer while discussing all things music and food. Her journey into music is truly inspiring with an evolution from an aspirant high school band director to a full-time artist, driven by her passion for social justice, highlighting her resilience and creativity. Crys is a social justice music maker, not just a singer-songwriter. Growing up as a preacher’s kid in southeastern North Carolina, she was first drawn to gospel music, singing in the church choir and playing piano. She joined the school band in sixth grade, initially aiming to become a high school band director. However, in college at Appalachian State University, she joined a band called Half and Half one night for their gig as a substitute playing keys and singing. After that life-changing experience, the passion for writing songs was ignited and she wrote her first song, which won first place and $500 in the campus talent show at college. The therapeutic process of songwriting became central to her life. Initially, she wrote poetry to help cope with the struggles of being the lesbian daughter of a preacher, but she transitioned to songwriting and performing at open mics as she began to write more songs. This passion eventually turned into a full-time career, which she continues to pursue. 

Ani DiFranco is described by Crys as a notable influence on her music; and others often compare her to Tracy Chapman- a flattering comparison, given her admiration for Chapman’s storytelling. Although she didn’t consciously choose Chapman as an influence, Matthews appreciates the recognition. She also has a deep appreciation for Otis Redding and old soul music, which overlaps with her gospel music roots. Also, she admires Melissa Etheridge and dreams of opening for Etheridge or Chapman someday. Matthews describes her music as having Americana vibes, but she also creates more relaxed, chilled songs, along with grittier, old-school influenced songs like “Sister’s Keeper”. Her eclectic influences are evident in her diverse musical style, resisting comparison to any one artist. Crys Matthews’ current Spotify playlist features a diverse range of artists, including Maren Morris, various Black country artists, Brittney Spencer, and Holly Near. This wide range of music highlights her broad spectrum of musical influences.

Crys Matthews has an exciting upcoming schedule for her fans. She is set to release her new album, “Reclamation”, on October 11th this year. Leading up to this, she will drop three singles- one in July, one in August, and one in September 2024. The album “Reclamation” focuses on reclaiming spaces for Black people in country music, the LGBTQ+ community, and LGBTQ+ individuals within faith communities. It promises to be a multifaceted work with a strong social justice theme, reflecting on current issues, especially those affecting the LGBTQ+ community in Tennessee. 

Crys moved to Nashville two years ago from D.C. with her girlfriend, Heather Mae. They have found a supportive community there, despite the challenges of being a lesbian couple in Tennessee. She feels that being in Nashville is essential for both her and her partner’s music careers and for leveraging their platform for change. They are committed to helping other artists use their voices and stand firm against marginalization. Crys believes it’s crucial to stay and fight for a better Tennessee, using their platform as artists to support marginalized communities and drive positive change. 

Crys Matthews wants her fans to take away a sense of hope from her music. She believes that social justice music can facilitate difficult conversations, helping people find the words to discuss important issues with loved ones. For Crys, music is a powerful tool that can reach places ordinary conversation cannot. She aims to remind people that, despite current hardships and fears, it is crucial to keep hoping and fighting for a better future. Her mission statement emphasizes amplyifyng voices and ensuring that her listeners feel seen, understood, and valued. Crys believes that everyone deserves to live a happy life, regardless of their identity. Her music, whether its about social justice or love, always carries this message. 

Don’t miss Crys’s new album “Reclamation” coming out in October with three single releases over this summer. Check out her music on Spotify and follow her on Instagram – she’s an amazing upcoming artist to watch. 

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Crys Matthews Website

Crys Matthews connects deeply with her North Carolina foodie roots and has a love for chicken and pastries. This dish, known in the midwest as chicken and noodles, features homemade doughy noodles, reminiscent of her grandmother’s cooking, and is a cherished comfort food. For Crys, this dish evokes memories of her rural hometown in Southeastern North Carolina, a place with a population of fewer than 5,000 people where comfort food is a way to show love. Whenever she visits home, her mom makes her favorite chicken casserole. In her daily life, Crys loves cooking dishes like salmon with rice and vegetables and shepherd’s pie. She also makes a fantastic breakfast sandwich with bacon, toasted sourdough bread, spicy brown mustard, mayo, cheese, and a fried egg. Despite her love for food, she avoids eating before singing to keep her voice in top condition. 

Local Nashville spots like Hawkers, Joyland, and Madtown Coffee are favorites for Crys, and she often makes herself a spritzer with juice and sparkling water like she enjoyed during this interview. She adores citrus drinks, lemonade, and exotic ginger beers. When it comes to sweets, she loves her mom’s “chocolate cake”, a yellow cake with dark chocolate frosting and pecans that has been her birthday cake since she was 10 years old, and her aunt’s strawberry cake with whipped cream icing. She also enjoys strawberry rhubarb pie and banana pudding. If she had to choose her perfect dish, it would be her girlfriend’s steak Diane, served with rainbow chard. Someone needs to share her recipe because Crys described the sauce on this dish as divine. 

After our conversation, I felt inspired to try making chicken and pastries. Having never heard of it before- being from the South, we always made chicken and dumplings- I was intrigued by how Crys spoke of it with such fondness. It sounded absolutely delicious, so I took on the challenge and decided to make the dish. When I say it is a game-changer, I mean it. I have officially been converted to a chicken and pastries fan over chicken and dumplings. Hands down, chicken and pastries is now my favorite. Check out the recipe below and let me know what you think: chicken and pastries or chicken and dumplings?

Chicken and Pastries Recipe 

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. chicken tenderloins (they are easier to shred later) 
• 8 cups chicken bone broth (use this for more depth and flavor but can use regular chicken broth as well) 
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¾ cup water, at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons melted grass-fed butter

Directions

1. In a large pot, add the chicken tenderloins and bone broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Then,in another bowl, mix together room-temperature water and melted butter. 
3. Stir in the butter mixture into the flour mixture and do not overmix just until incorporated into a sticky dough. 
4. On a lightly floured surface, turn over the dough and knead it for about 1 minute.
5. Then roll out the dough so that it is very thin, about ⅛-inch thick. 
6. Take a pizza cutter, and slice the pastry into ½-inch wide strips that are about 3 inches long. 
7. Remove the chicken to a bowl and shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. 
8. Return bone broth to a boil over medium-high heat and add pastry dough strips to the broth. Stir the broth and dough. Add the shredded chicken and cook everything for about 15 minutes on reduced low heat and cover. Be sure to stir from time to time to ensure the dough isn’t sticking together but the broth should thicken. 
9. Serve in dinner bowls, garnish with parsley, and enjoy!