Matt Nathanson Releasing Billy Joel Covers EP

The singer-songwriter performs at Carnegie Hall tribute concert and is inspired to record 'Songs in the (M)Attic'

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:00pm

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Matt Nathanson, known for his 2008 hit 'Come On Get Higher,' is releasing an EP of Billy Joel covers after performing at a recent charity tribute concert for the Piano Man at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The six-track 'Songs in the (M)Attic' EP features covers of Joel classics like 'I Go to Extremes,' 'Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway),' 'Pressure,' 'The Longest Time,' 'Uptown Girl,' and 'Only the Good Die Young.'

Why it matters

While Billy Joel is one of the most celebrated songwriters of his era, not many artists have recorded full cover versions of his songs. Nathanson's EP provides a fresh take on some of Joel's most iconic tracks and introduces his catalog to a new generation of listeners.

The details

Nathanson was inspired to record the EP after his standout performance at the Carnegie Hall tribute concert in March 2026. The EP's title is a play on the name of Joel's 1981 live album 'Songs in the Attic.' The cover art is also identical to Joel's 1982 album 'The Nylon Curtain.' Two of the tracks, 'Uptown Girl' and 'Only the Good Die Young,' are already available on digital platforms, with the full six-song EP set for release on April 17.

  • Matt Nathanson performed at the Carnegie Hall Billy Joel tribute concert on March 12, 2026.
  • The 'Songs in the (M)Attic' EP is set to be released on April 17, 2026.

The players

Matt Nathanson

A singer-songwriter best known for his 2008 hit 'Come On Get Higher,' who performed at a recent Carnegie Hall tribute concert honoring the music of Billy Joel.

Billy Joel

One of the greatest songwriters of his generation, known as the 'Piano Man' and for hit songs like 'Uptown Girl,' 'Only the Good Die Young,' and 'Piano Man.'

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What they’re saying

“One of the greatest songwriters of our (and any) time”

— Matt Nathanson

“So proud of this EP and so fired up and inspired by it”

— Matt Nathanson

What’s next

Nathanson will spend the summer of 2026 opening for the band Train, whose lead singer Pat Monahan also performed at the Carnegie Hall Billy Joel tribute concert.

The takeaway

Nathanson's Billy Joel covers EP provides a fresh interpretation of the Piano Man's iconic songbook, introducing Joel's music to a new generation of listeners and highlighting the enduring appeal and influence of one of the greatest songwriters of the modern era.