Matt Lawless grew up near Springfield, MO & started playing music around town at age sixteen. While attending Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) he played regularly with local musicians including saxophonists Richard Bruton & Randy Hamm for low pay & sometimes free sushi. After getting a degree in Electronic Arts (a degree that allowed him to focus on music outside of college) he attended the graduate program at the University of North Texas. There he participated in the One O'Clock Lab Band & played with various guest artists including, Benny Golson, Jeff Watts, Slide Hampton & jazz curmudgeon Phil Woods. While at UNT, Lawless performed in many groups playing piano and organ.