Matt Zeltzer lives in Portland when not traveling off of the map, in search of "a world hidden beneath the Formica veneer of the disposable age." Submitted photo

Matt Zeltzer is a blues/roots musician from Portland, who brings a driving mixture of fierce, bone-shaking slide guitar and subtle finger-picked folk to the stage. The stirring texture of his guitar backs up poetic lyrics and a soulful, seemingly timeless voice reminiscent of an earlier generation of folk music, yet with a unique and contemporary feel. Intense energy, vibrancy and unusual honesty transform this talented young man’s music into compelling and profound art.

Originally from the Los Angeles area and now living in Portland, Zeltzer has been traveling backwards for as long as he can remember, saying “I grew up listening to The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley, out of the tape deck in my parents’ Camry wagon.” Eventually, his interests led him to the blues, and later folk music, from Buddy Guy, Howling Wolf and the Band, and back to the likes of Son House, John Lee Hooker and Lightnin’ Hopkins. Zeltzer has been playing music for nearly his entire life. After fiddling with the family piano and a guitar he received “around age 4,” he began taking piano lessons at age 8, later shifting his focus to guitar.

Only in his early 20s, Zeltzer has already released an EP, two demo CDs, played guitar on The Flying H’s EP “Shake It Out Loud,” and performed at numerous festivals such as “One Family Gathering,” venues, benefit concerts and house shows up and down the West Coast and in Hawaii. He’ll be at Fort George Brewery, 1483 Duane St., at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. There is no cover charge.

To hear examples of Zeltzer’s music, log on to www.myspace.com/mattzeltzer