Employee Spotlight: Matthew Carpenter

If he’s not welding or heat treating aircraft parts, you might just find AirCorps Aviation welder Matthew Carpenter on a stage with his bass guitar slung over his shoulder.

Matthew has always loved music – a love sparked at a young age by listening to his dad’s vinyl records on the living room floor. Carpenter’s uncle, an accomplished musician, introduced him to the bass guitar at 16. He learned the basics quickly on that borrowed guitar before buying his own at 17. By 18, he was playing in his first band and found a passion for performing that has stuck with him to this day.

Carpenter has been a member of several Bemidji-area bands, performed on church worship teams, toured across Minnesota, and played on three records since 2001. His current band, called Echo Ridge, plays surf rock inspired by groups like The Beach Boys and The Ventures.

“Music is a powerful form of expression for me,” Carpenter said. “It’s satisfying and fun when everyone is playing together; I like being part of a team whether it is in a band or at AirCorps.”