Matthew Hope

	Matthew Hope's new LP "Black Tea Nights" is now available. Get it here for only $10! Just send us a quick note from the contact page and we'll mail it right to you.
	"Black Tea Nights" is a true neo-folk effort, capturing the bittersweet mood of British and American singer-songwriters of the early 70’s. Matthew Hope keeps the music up to date with the inclusion of guitar drones and the ambient textures of keyboards and organic strings. The title track is immediately distinctive, its haunting vocals and catchy chorus being the obvious choice for a first single. Another highlight, “When I'm Gone”, seems a classic Americana ballad, enhanced by pedal steel. “The Woman I Love is Crazy” is a bouncy folk-rock ditty full of twanging guitars, recalling the Byrds at their most light hearted. Hope's unflinching embrace of the pop hook keep repeated listens of “Black Tea Nights” fresh and memorable. A worthy addition to any collection of contemporary folk music. Matthew Hope's first album, "Black Tea Nights", is an innovative step forward in the neo folk revolution. For the past few years, artists such as Iron and Wine, M. Ward and Devendra Banhart have continued the American tradition of sculpting simple poetry to subtle folk melodies. Combining the sounds of acoustic instruments and experimental techniques, he adds the one ingredient that has been missing from the work of all of these established song writers: the hook. His impassioned love ballads always include a chorus to sing along with. His phrasing is simple, using repetition without sounding redundant. Many of these studio arrangements feature established local talent, including Chris Koza and Joanna James, with inspiring results. Tom Herbers skilled production accentuates the raw emotion of Matthew's voice alongside his unique melodic phrasing on acoustic guitar. To especially astute folk fans, “Black Tea Nights” feels like it should be familiar; each song sounds like a folk classic you've never heard before.

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