There are singer-songwriters who use their craft to project a more romantic image of themselves. You hear them sing their songs and you imagine them as cowboys, drifters, gamblers, rebels on life’s highways, though the reality is generally far more prosaic.
Wellington based singer-songwriter Matt Hay is different. Starting from the dictum ‘write what you know’ he pens songs that barely venture beyond his own suburban backyard. He doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what he is; a balladeer from the ‘burbs. And yet you will find melodies here that stick in your brain, choruses you’ll want to sing along to, lyrics that are timeless and poignant, offering quietly astute commentaries on life’s little ups and downs.
About the album
Something Blue, out 28 October, is Hay’s second full length release, following on from his impressive 2007 debut album Inside Stories, and his 2012 EP Where do we go from here? From the opening country rocker, ‘Last jubilee’ through the back porch dobro driven blues of ‘High Roller’ to the closing old timey country blues of ‘Ain’t Gonna Worry’, Something Blue delivers tunes you’ll tap your toes to, and melodies you won’t forget.
Something Blue features Hay’s regular band, the Makers – Clint Meech on Keys and BVs, Phil Hope on Mandolin and BVs, George Barris on Bass and Delia Shanly on Drums and Percussion.
About the artist
Hay is now a firmly established face on the Wellington blues and roots scene having first appeared as harmonica player in blues wunderkinds Cool Disposition in the early ‘90s. Cool Disposition morphed into roots rock outfit Surge, who release one critically acclaimed album ‘Then Again’ before calling it quits in 1997. Hay has also featured as side man for local blues legends Darren Watson, Dave Murphy and Marg Layton.
Some quotes
“..loosely in the alt. country/Americana camp and with his lived in voice and everyday stories of beautiful losers coping with life’s ups and downs, Hay draws comparisons with fellow roots rock travellers such as John Hiatt and Willy Mason or even our [New Zealand’s] own Barry Saunders.” Tony Parker, NZ Musician
“...smooth and instantly likeable ballads that affirm his [Hay’s] mastery of the roots rock genre….the songs have a cosy, familiar feel that invite sing along on first listen...” Ben Martin, NZ Musician
Downloads available via Bandcamp – https://matthay1.bandcamp.com/
Contact: matthaysuburban@gmail.com ph. 027 245 1403
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