Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons, Lyle Lovett, Uncle Tupelo/Wilco/Son Volt, Gillian Welch/David Rawlings, river banks, highways, solitude/togetherness, nightlife, etc., etc., etc.
Matt Harlan is a songwriter's songwriter. He composes landscapes and statements disguised as songs. Often non-linear, but always melodic, Harlan's works confront social norms, celebrate lives overlooked, or just wax poetic about coffee and bus-stops. Whatever the inspiration, the music is always heartfelt and genuine.
Born and raised in Texas, Harlan soaked up the richness of the state and its song-smiths while bouncing between big cities and small towns. Always in love with music, he eventually learned to play and write it. Harlan draws from a range of influences interpreting a generation steeped in plastic and filtered through the Hill Country limestone.
After gigging in rock bands around San Antonio and Austin, Harlan dropped the pick and the power chords to develop his own unique fingerstyle guitar technique. Now back in Houston he is working to promote his earthy, socially conscious sound, which is continually evolving.
Matt's songwriting has been getting some recognition lately with awards from Billboard, American Songwriter and the Houston Fort Bend Songwriting Association; as a winner in the Wildflower Arts and Music Festival and Snowbird Mountain Music Festival, finalist in the Mountain Stage New Song Festival and regional finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk competition.
Congratulations on the new release!!! I really wish we could be there. Keep up the great work! Still miss ya man, I promise we'll eventually visit when we're able.
Hi Matt I don't know if you remember me I met you at the Open Mic at MAin Street Crossing in Tomball, I just wanted to let you know if you can come out Saturday I am playing a benefit show at BIG DADDY'S SPORTS BAR in Spring on 2920 from 2-6, so if you can come it would be awesome to see you... also your music is sounding great!!!
Matt!! I wish I could be there tomorrow night. I'll still be in Bakersfield. I'll see if Ron n Rob n them are gonna go. DANG!!! Well, all the very best! I love the album. I LOVE your songs! You're an awesome song writer!!
I hope you had a great show and got to see some old friends tonight Matt! Sorry, I don't check myspace very often and just got the invite! Next time buddy!
Thanks for the invite, Matt. I didn't know you were going to be in town. I have a prior engagement, but will try to stop by for a song or two. It's been too long since I've heard you perform.
Hey, Thanks for being my MySpace friend! I look forward to meeting and becoming real-life friends in the near future.... Your stage or Mine! (Currently Looking for New Band or Sit-In Work, Keep an Ear Open 4 Me)!
Check out these videos, maybe you know a band that we'd be a good fit!
HI I AM PLAYING A BENEFIT CONCERT AT BIG DADDY'S SPORTS BAR 4027 FM 2920 Rd # C, Spring, TX 77388 SATURDAY FROM 2-6PM, TO HELP "CAT" Catherine Torrence GET A MUCH NEEDED WHEELCHAIR, PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT THIS AND I PROMISE TO PUT ON AN AWESOME SHOW!!!
Matt Harlan is a songwriter's songwriter. He composes landscapes and statements disguised as songs. Often non-linear, but always melodic, Harlan's works confront social norms, celebrate lives overlooked, or just wax poetic about coffee and bus-stops. Whatever the inspiration, the music is always heartfelt and genuine.
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