“Down in the Valley”
KUTX “SONG OF THE DAY”
Singer-songwriter Matthew Payne‘s poetic Americana is salt of the Earth, evocative of both his Dripping Springs upbringing and nearly two decades as an English and creative writing teacher here in Austin. And with a stage roster that includes Hole In the Wall, Saxon Pub, and the Cactus Cafe, he truly is Austin Americana timelessness personified.
On “Down In the Valley,” Payne seems like he’s sat down at a bar after hours on the road, regaling barflies with an overture of the epic of where he’s been. We get the highlights, but we also know one question will lead to a shower of tales, and his impassioned storytelling, punctuated with a driving, honky tonk rhythm, makes us want to ask the bartender for another boilermaker for ourselves and one for our new friend.
Taylor Wallace-Riegel, KUTX
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Matthew’s vocals crack with raw authenticity and the songs sparkle like bright amethysts you find when you split open the dusty rocks of life. Life will offer shocking events and pain along with celebration and Payne clearly knows how to tackle them head on and draw out their pure human emotion in songs.
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His sound blends many of the influences of his home state, as he seeks to honour the poetry of the land and the people he’s met along the way. Mixing old-time country with a little blues and the keen eye of a poet, creating songs that explore the human heart at its rawest depth. With the help of Camille Schiess on violin and Dana Wygmans on upright bass, each of these four songs is out of the top drawer, in particular the title track that opens the EP with a style that tips its hat to Townes Van Zandt, and ‘The Light I Cannot See’, where his plaintive narrative is beautifully complimented by some excellent harmonica while Schiess’ fiddle playing puts the icing on the cake. All wonderful stuff that continues with the driving rhythm and intense vocal delivery of ‘Spiderhouse Blues’, marking Matthew Payne out as a serious contender, and “Coyote Howlin Blues” is another EP that comes highly recommended.
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Matthew harnesses that rare sought-after storytelling songwriting that quality music lovers mine for, and the songs are top shelf.
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Matthew Payne is carrying on the tradition of Texas songwriters. A rhythmic rumble rides through the tale of “Spider House Blues” while a hush falls on the guitar picking when he delivers “The Light I Cannot See’ with a vocal barely above a whisper. Words are Mathew Payne’s safe zone.
- The Alternate Root
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Matthew Payne is a songwriter from just outside of Austin, raised in the Hill Country, and his music really reflects that—earthy, poetic, and rooted in place. He’s got that classic Texas Americana sound, but what makes him stand out is the way his lyrics paint a picture—of the land, the people, and the quiet in-between moments.
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The lonesome fiddle at the start of “Coyote Howlin’ Blues” is perfect for this weary traveling single by Matthew Payne. “Coyote Howlin Blues” is the feeling one gets in the vast landscapes of West Texas. It also hints at our connection to nature and the freedom the open road can bring.
“SPIDER HOUSE BLUES”
FEATURED ON “THE SOUND OF OUR TOWN”
ON SUN RADIO
TEXAS HOMEGROWN MUSIC
with Maylee Thomas
“If you like John Prine, Bruce Springsteen and Townes VanZant this is music for you.”
“What a gift I get to share this beautiful talent with you. Two decades of teaching in at- risk schools have given him insight to the very purpose of our existence. Do yourself a favor a listen to this interview with Matthew Payne and you too will want to put his songs in your regular rotation.”
HOW DID I GET HERE?
with Johnny Goudie
“Hello friends! High school English and Creative Writing teacher turned singer-songwriter, Matthew Payne is my guest for episode 1518!”
all photos taken by Townes Payne