News

Well, I might not know who the folks at Hyperbolium are, but they just posted one of the most thoughtful and kind reviews of RAVEN HOTEL that I’ve seen so far. It makes my j-school heart happy to see reviews (about anyone’s album) where words like “fatalism”, “protagonist” and “juxtaposed” are used accurately and unapologetically, putting music criticism on par with its literary counterpart. As it should be. Want more proof? Go read some of their other reviews (Willie Nelson, Carolina Story) at www.hyperbolium.com.

Welcome to the brand new, revamped, updated and all around better version of my Internet home! I hope you like what we’ve done with the place (and when I say we, I really mean Jason Lively of Lively Productions). Take a stroll around the grounds…make yourself at home. There’s some new pictures, videos and things should work better on mobile devices now. Feel free to drop a line and let me know what you think.

Well y’all, it looks like people are saying things about this new album of mine. Good things, even. But as LeVar Burton used to say (and might be saying again soon), “Don’t take my word for it.”

“By a clear mile, Raven Hotel is the finest song collection I’ve stumbled across this year — in many a year, for that matter.” No Depression (Folk Villager)

“…it really does come down to the songs, and if others want to be taken seriously as Texas singer-songwriters, this is how good they have to be.” Third Coast (John Conquest)

“Raven Hotel is a very accomplished collection of insightful song writing. Harlan rarely misses the bar with his wrangler poetry and lassoed prose.” Exclaim (Mackenzie Heard)

“Check in to the Raven Hotel and let these twelve shots of magic soothe your soul.” Kelly’s Country (Kelly The Country Angel)

“Houston-based singer-songwriter Matt Harlan isn’t one of those musicians who puts out an album every year…but you can bet that when one does finally show up, it’s worth the wait.” Sun209: Americana Music News (Paul T. Mueller)

“Matt’s tales are clear, the stories surface level and as real as the land that raised them up from snippets of conversation, newspaper headlines or general life in the great state of Texas.” The Alternate Root (Danny McCloskey)

Well y’all, things are going to really start rolling here soon. But before the flood washes me away, I wanted to let you know that the official release date for RAVEN HOTEL will be June 24. That’s when it will be up for download on your favorite music sites and maybe even sitting in the racks of your local record store. I’ve got a local CD release set up at the Mucky Duck in Houston for June 27, with more dates being announced shortly. And it looks like the European reaction is still going strong…it might’ve been bumped from #1 by Rodney Crowell’s latest (awesome) album, but being second to Rodney is fine by me. Check it out here: www.euroamericanachart.eu Hope to see y’all soon! More news to come…

Rachel and I are hanging out just one tram stop south of Amsterdam on the last few days of our Spring tour in the Netherlands and Belgium. I’ve been keeping up with the world via Facebook and Twitter, but haven’t been able to post to my website for a while. Now that I’m back in I wanted to make a quick update…RAVEN HOTEL is now sitting at #1 on the Euro Americana Chart! That means that each of my 3 albums has now been at the top spot on the chart, which is both humbling and exciting for me. I can’t wait to bring this collection of songs back to the States this Summer. Stay tuned…tour dates and release info are on the way! Thanks y’all! www.euroamericanachart.eu