Wine Country – “Hard Times”

Texan songwriter Matt Kivel is a name that’s floated around here for some time, with releases on Woodsist, Olde English Spelling Bee, Driftless, and earlier roots in the aughts garage rock ripple. This week Matt announces a new band, Wine Country, and a debut EP, Hard Times, set for release at the end of next month. The band kicks into view with the title track, a winding, wondering single that embraces a touch of toasted Americana. Soaked in a deeper shade of the Southern sun, the trio turns Kivel’s bruised musings into a single that saunters through the speakers with a touch of prickly heat on the hands and hot Asphault in the lungs. Bent, scuffed, frayed, and grease-stained, the song lays its lament down like a torn bus pass. Wine Country turns out to be Kivel at his most unbuttoned; born to die, but not without carving a few caricatures in the concrete first. The new EP is out as a super-limited 12” (ed 100) or printed zine with download. Hit it before it disappears.

Support the artist. Buy it HERE.