A South Australian country troubadour – whose two previous albums have landed at #1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album chart – Matt Ward's newest single is a call out to "loved ones, family, friends, and especially faithful dogs".
Gorgeous, spirited, Nashville-flavoured country that bursts like a sunrise, the flaming intensity of 'A Place To Stay' (that's taken from his forthcoming album 'The Long Way Home' out 6 September) billows with a cheerful energy that's hard to refute.Brushy, snare-filled drums are packed tight alongside buoyant guitar and bass, the addition of fiddle and pedal steel guitar infusing the track with a homeliness that's both comforting as it is uplifting.
Then Matt adds his empowering lyrics about friendship, the brilliance of road trips and generally escaping the grind of daily life. The continuing infusion of fiddle and peddle steel simply adds to the song's charm.
"'A Place To Stay' is a good reflection of the kind of country music I listen to and love to play live," shares Matt. "It's full-band sound riddled with pedal steel guitar and fiddle. I'd say bands such as Turnpike Troubadours and Shane Smith & The Saints are the main music influences for this song."
Ahead of the song's release tomorrow (2 August), today scenestr is thrilled to premiere the 'A Place To Stay' music video. Enjoy.
The film clip follows Matt and his loveable doggo Shooter as they embark on a trip into the great outdoors of South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, the scenic imagery another delightful inclusion that marks 'A Place To Stay' the feel-good-energy hit to power you through the last weeks of winter.
"The song was written for a friend going through a hard time and a call out to join me on the road, but this also relates to my dog Shooter – who's joined me on so many adventures, but is also going through a hard time with some very dodgy hips.
"So it was awesome to make a film clip with him as well as a memento of our life together – he was a very good boy for the filming! Kicking off from my new farm home, Shooter and I travel in the pursuit of adventure, settling down to a warm fire on a cool winter's night."
Matt Ward 2024 Tour Dates
Fri 6 Sep - Stein's Taphouse (Barossa Valley)Sat 7 Sep - Three Brothers Arms (Adelaide Hills)
Sun 8 Sep - Shotgun Willies (Adelaide)
Sun 20 Oct - Wheatsheaf Hotel (Adelaide)
Fri 1 Nov - Altar Bar (Hobart)
Sun 3 Nov - Wilder Tasmania (Gowrie Park, TAS)
