[EDGEWISE: 1997: MUSICAL GUESTS: MATTHEW SWEET/BEN HARPER

About This Footage

In 1997, amidst the waning influence of MTV's once-vibrant music programming, NBC's MSNBC was quietly cultivating its own musical showcase, Edgewise. Hosted by veteran journalist John Hockenberry, this weekly current events/music program offered a refreshing respite from the homogenized airwaves of the time. One such episode, featuring Matthew Sweet and Ben Harper as musical guests, has surfaced on YouTube, offering a rare glimpse into the alternative rock landscape of late 1990s America.

Matthew Sweet, by then an established force in the Athens, Georgia music scene, was riding high on the success of his 1996 album, 100% Fun. This album's blend of power pop and alt-rock sensibilities resonated with a generation disillusioned with mainstream rock's stagnation. Sweet's music, characterized by its catchy hooks and introspective lyrics, had found an audience eager for something more nuanced than the grunge-dominated airwaves.

Ben Harper, on the other hand, was still in the early stages of his career, but already making waves with his unique blend of blues, folk, and rock influences. His 1994 debut album, Welcome to the Cruel World, had garnered critical acclaim, and he was beginning to establish himself as a rising star in the alt-rock firmament.

The Edgewise episode featuring Matthew Sweet and Ben Harper is significant not only because it captures these two artists at a pivotal moment in their careers but also because it highlights the innovative spirit of MSNBC's foray into music programming. By showcasing alternative acts like Sweet and Harper, Edgewise was providing a platform for artists who might have otherwise gone unnoticed by mainstream audiences.

The 12-minute clip offers a fascinating glimpse into the musical landscape of late 1990s America. Matthew Sweet takes center stage, delivering a captivating performance that showcases his signature blend of power pop and alt-rock sensibilities. Ben Harper's set is more subdued, but no less compelling, as he weaves together elements of blues, folk, and rock to create a unique sonic tapestry.

What makes this clip truly remarkable, however, is its rarity. With the proliferation of online content in recent years, it's become increasingly difficult to find authentic, unedited footage from the 1990s music scene. Edgewise, in particular, remains a largely forgotten chapter in the history of alternative rock, and this clip serves as a poignant reminder of the innovative spirit that once defined MSNBC's foray into music programming.

As viewers watch Matthew Sweet and Ben Harper take the stage, they'll be transported back to an era when alternative rock was still finding its footing. They'll witness the raw energy and creativity that defined the late 1990s music scene, as well as the innovative spirit of a network willing to take risks on untested talent. In this clip, we're not just witnessing two talented artists at work; we're experiencing a moment in time, frozen in amber, when the boundaries between music, politics, and culture were being pushed to new heights.

Curated from public records and music databases.

About Matthew Sweet

Sidney Matthew Sweet is an American alternative rock/power pop singer-songwriter and musician who was part of the burgeoning music scene in Athens, Georgia, during the 1980s before gaining commercial success in the 1990s as a solo artist. His companion albums, Tomorrow Forever and Tomorrow's Daughter, were followed by 2018's Wicked System of Things and 2021's Catspaw, his 15th studio effort.