The Suitcase Junket Album Release Show

The Suitcase Junket is the musical world created by songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and instrument builder Matt Lorenz.

Performing alone on stage, Lorenz surrounds himself with guitars, homemade percussion, found objects, and self-built instruments, creating an astonishing range of sounds that blur the line between one musician and an entire band. A suitcase becomes a bass drum. Bones become percussion. Everyday objects find new voices, all in service of the songs.

Those songs are at the heart of everything he does. Drawing from folk, blues, old-time music, and the improvisational spirit of jazz, Lorenz writes with remarkable honesty and attention to detail. His seventh album, To Go On, is his most personal work to date. Written after the loss of his sister, singer-songwriter Kate Lorenz, the record is both a meditation on grief and a celebration of enduring love. Rather than dwelling only in loss, the songs explore memory, resilience, and the ways people continue to shape our lives long after they're gone. Lorenz describes the album as finding "comfort, a little bit of surprise, a little bit of discomfort… and after all that, a sense of joy and hope."

The music reflects that emotional journey. One moment, the songs are quietly intimate; the next they're full of rhythmic energy, reminding us, as Lorenz puts it, that "you can tap your toe, or dance even, and still think about death." Throughout To Go On, moments of sorrow are balanced by humor, warmth, and a deep appreciation for the people who leave lasting marks on our lives.

SAMPLE SONG

Raised in rural Vermont, Lorenz grew up taking apart discarded electronics and bicycles to build musical instruments while learning piano, violin, saxophone, and guitar. That same curiosity still defines his work today. Every performance combines inventive musicianship with thoughtful songwriting, creating music that feels rooted in tradition while remaining entirely his own.

Whether appearing at major festivals or in intimate listening rooms, The Suitcase Junket invites audiences into a performance where craftsmanship, imagination, and deeply personal songs exist in equal measure. This tour offers an early opportunity to hear music from To Go On before its October 2026 release, presented in the close, attentive setting where these songs are meant to be heard.

Stream this show live at Caffè Lena TV. Livestream available for $5 – 100% of live stream tickets on CaffeLenaTV benefit the artists. Subscribe for unlimited live streaming, two week access to recent shows, and Caffe Lena's video archive.  

Note: Caffe Lena does not permit ticket reselling above face value. Tickets purchased for the purpose of resale may be canceled without notice, and refunds for such purchases will not be granted.