Matt Hires
F-Stop Music/Atlantic recording artist Matt Hires has announced details of his
upcoming new EP, entitled simply, “A To B.” The four-track collection will go on sale at
all digital retailers on August 17th.
Produced by Eric Rosse (Tori Amos, Sara Bareilles), “A To B” is highlighted by
a newly recorded version of “Honey, Let Me Sing You A Song.” In addition, the EP
includes the song’s original album version – first found on the Tampa-based tunesmith’s
acclaimed 2009 debut, “TAKE US TO THE START” – as well as two brand new tracks.
“Honey, Let Me Sing You A Song” will hit Hot AC radio outlets nationwide later this
year.
To celebrate the release of “A To B,” Hires is launching his official website,
located at www.matthiresmusic.com. On July 28th, Matt will host a very special live
webcast that will see him taking questions from fans and performing tracks from both
his album and “A To B.”
A tireless live performer, Hires is currently on tour with the Benjy Davis Project
and will soon join up with Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers for a pair of two-night-stands
at Hoboken’s legendary Maxwell’s and Vienna, Virginia’s famed Jammin’ Java (see
attached itinerary).
Hires will then get his live band back together for the "State Lines Tour – Part
2," slated to hit the road on September 3rd at Orlando, Florida’s The Social and then
continue through a hometown return at The Orpheum in Tampa on October 22nd. Pre-
sale tickets for the tour will go on sale July 14th at www.matthiresmusic.com, with all
remaining tickets available to the general public on July 16th. The "State Lines Tour –
Part 2" follows Hires’ enormously popular “State Lines Tour,” which saw Hires & Co.
barnstorming the country alongside fellow Atlantic recording artist Jason Castro. The
second leg of the tour will see Hires joined by an array of artists including Wakey!
Wakey!, Drew Holcombe and The Neighbors, Camera Can’t Lie and Joey Ryan.
Ticket bundles for the upcoming dates will be available for purchase at
www.matthiresmusic.com and offer fans the chance to meet the singer and take home
a laminate from the tour as well as a limited edition “State Lines Tour – Part 2” poster.
The posters in the first 100 bundles sold will be personally autographed by Hires
himself.
The first full-length release from Atlantic’s new F-Stop Music imprint, "TAKE US
TO THE START," hit the top 10 on iTunes’ overall “Top Albums” chart and debuted
in the upper half of the Billboard 200 upon its release last summer. The album – also
produced by Eric Rosse – is filled with multiple delights, most notably Hires’ remarkable
voice, an instrument striking in its warmth, expressiveness, and ability to convey a
multitude of emotions within a single song. Tracks such as “State Lines” and "Honey,
Let Me Sing You A Song" see the talented tunesmith fusing the intimacy of the great
singer/songwriters with indelible pop-rock hooks and propulsive rhythms.
Among the highlights are a series of songs – including “Out Of The Dark,” "Turn
The Page" and “Perfect Day” – which have been featured in recent episodes of ABC’s
Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. What’s more, “TAKE US TO THE START” has
received extensive critical praise. People hailed the collection, noting "on the opening
cut of his debut, Hires requests, ‘Honey, Let Me Sing You a Song.’ With his folky pop
and aching croon, how could you deny him?" Creative Loafing commended the album
as "cleverly-crafted and interesting, full of sincerity and catchy melodies highlighted by
(Hires’) enveloping, gravelly tenor."
A charming and charismatic live performer, Matt has spent much of the past two
years on tour, both as solo star and with such like-minded acts as Paolo Nutini, Dave
Matthews Band, Marc Broussard, Eric Hutchinson and O.A.R.
For up-to-the-minute news and information, please visit Matt’s official MySpace
page at www.myspace.com/matthires or via Twitter at http://twitter.com/matthires.
