Matthew Allen

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Challenge: Autism, developmental dyspraxia. Developmental coordination disorder, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, Tardive Dyskenesia, Schizoaffective Disorder

Website: gapanalysis.bandcamp.com

Matthew '0Eno7ch' Allen has been challenged since birth with poor coordination, poor short term memory, poor working memory, lack of focus, anxiety, depression, mood swings, and difficulty with perception.

Matthew started playing around on his family's old upright piano at 4 years old. He adds "It was the only thing i could do to calm myself down when having a meltdown or panic attack". He has sang his whole life as well. Matthew adds "Singing along to the jingles on the commercials was my favorite form of self stimilation as a child". During Matthew's grade school years he began to experiment with trombone, electronic keyboards, and synthesizers. He added on guitar, electric bass, percussion, autoharp, and omnichords in his early 20s.

Matthew's worst gig took place almost 20 years ago when his punk band the Creature Known as Mother was performing at a local cofee shop. He adds "Due to my autism, I was not aware that it is not appropriate to sing lyrics that directly reference male and female genitalia. I had to learn the hard way when my band was permanently banned from performing at that coffee shop".

Matthew's heroes and influences include Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Louie Armstrong, Elliot Smith, Jello Biafra, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Tori Amos, Pat Benatar, Nina Simon, Kurt Cobain, and Glen Danzig.

He is unable to maintain traditional employment despite having a graduate degree. Throughout his life, performing music and taking care of his animals are the two activities that bring hin peace of mind and joy. His past musical projects include Trash, Mother and Her Majesty's Bitches, AK47, The Creature Known as Mother, Mr Vampire, Princess Dead, Endothrot, ZebraMeat, and the Passionistas.

Matthew says "I am currently focusing on my solo vocal, omnichord, and qchord project Gap Analysis. I am actively promoting my new album Genetic Attraction as well as recording vocal and omnichord covers of my favorite songs using the name Gap Analysis as well".

Matthew says "My biggest challenge due to my disability is my poor coordination and poor dexterity due to my Developmental Dyspraxia. I have had to compensate by practicing my music 4 to 5 hours a day to generate the results that neurotypicals often achieve by just practicing 1 to 2 hours a day".

Gap Analysis - Sail on Sailor (Beach Boys cover)