New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Atlantic Records) F-Stop/Atlantic recording artist Matt Hires has announced the release of his eagerly awaited sophomore album. "THIS WORLD WON'T LAST FOREVER, BUT TONIGHT WE CAN PRETEND," will arrive at retailers and all leading DSPs on August 13th.
"THIS WORLD WON'T LAST FOREVER, BUT TONIGHT WE CAN PRETEND" sees Hires driving his distinctive sound forward with grander arrangements, brighter hooks, and a more richly textured sonic approach. Produced by Eric Rosse (Tori Amos, Sara Bareilles), songs like "Restless Heart" and the sophisticated, string-laden "Forever," are alight with remarkable melodies and intricate harmonies, a stunning showcase for Hires' masterful vocal work and unwavering artistic integrity.
The Tampa based tunesmith also collaborated with songwriters like Alex Dezen (singer/guitarist for The Damnwells) and Busbee (Kid Cudi, Katy Perry, Liz Phair and Lady Antebellum), resulting in delicately rendered lyrics that shift between sharp-eyed social commentary and strikingly intimate storytelling. "My favorite artists are the ones who keep making records that give you something different from what came before," says Hires, "but still hold onto their own unique sound overall. With this album, I pushed into the direction of making music that's more fun and pop-oriented but also retains that sense of honesty that I've always valued as a songwriter."
Following the release of "THIS WORLD WON'T LAST FOREVER, BUT TONIGHT WE CAN PRETEND," Hires will join Charlottesville, Virginia, five-piece band Parachute on a U.S. tour, kicking off August 13th at New York City's famed Irving Plaza. The tour will run throughout September, with a final stop in Dallas, TX on September 22nd at the House of Blues (see itinerary below).
Earlier this year, Hires released his "FOREVER" EP, a four-song collection highlighted by the single, "Restless Heart." "Restless Heart" was named an iTunes "Single Of The Week," and charted at Hot AC. Likening Hires to Mumford & Sons and Lumineers, Billboard declared that "'Restless Heart' hits that 'Ho Hey' sweet spot," and is "an ultra-polished variation on the Americana-tinged folk-pop now dominating radio." MTV Buzzworthy Blog, hailed the song as "winsomely catchy... a rattling, strings-laden track" that displays Hires' "predilection towards finger-snapping, toe-tapping jangle-pop," with the Huffington Post declaring "...Restless Heart has hit written all over it. It's infectious pop w/substance."
The companion video to "Restless Heart," which has now received over 600,000 views on YouTube, can be viewed below:
For up-to-the-minute tour information, please visit www.matthiresmusic.com and www.FStopMusic.com.
Hailed for his golden voice and knack for introspective and infectious tunecraft, Tampa-based Matt Hires is unquestionably among today's most compelling new singer/songwriters. "TAKE US TO THE START," the Tampa-based troubadour's F-Stop/Atlantic debut, hit the top 10 on iTunes' overall "Top Albums" chart and debuted in the upper half of the Billboard 200 upon its release in 2009. Among the album's highlights were a series of songs -- including "Out Of The Dark," "Turn The Page" and "Perfect Day" -- which have since been featured in episodes of ABC's Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice.
"TAKE US TO THE START" also 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, Hires has spent much of the past three years on the road, headlining countless shows as well as touring with like-minded artists such as Paolo Nutini, Marc Broussard, Eric Hutchinson, O.A.R., NeedtoBreathe, and most recently, multi-platinum selling band Matchbox Twenty.
(TOUR ITINERARY BELOW)
MATT HIRES TOUR DATES
*All dates with PARACHUTE
AUGUST
13 New York, NY Irving Plaza
14 Boston, MA The Sinclaire
15 Philadelphia, PA TLA
16 Asbury Park, NJ Stone Pony
17 Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club
20 Washington, DC Sixth & I
21 Wilmington, NC Ziggy's
22 Orlando, FL Plaza Theatre
23 Atlanta, GA Masquerade
24 Nashville, TN Rocket Town
25 Charlotte, NC Amos's
28 Winston-Salem, NC Ziggy's
29 Blacksburg, VA Virginia Tech
SEPTEMBER
3 Columbus, OH Club A&R
4 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge
5 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
6 Minneapolis, MN Mill City Music Hall
7 St Louis, MO Old Rock House
8 Lawrence, KS Granada Theatre
10 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
11 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
13 Portland, OR Backspace
14 Seattle, WA El Corazon
16 San Francisco, CA The Chapel
18 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
19 Santa Ana, CA Constellation Room
20 Scottsdale, AZ Pub Rock
21 Dallas, TX House of Blues.
