Matt Hires

Matt Hires (born August 5, 1985) is an American singer-songwriter from Tampa, Florida. Drawing inspiration from influences as disparate as The Band, Sufjan Stevens, Wilco and Ryan Adams,[1] Matt became the first artist to sign with F-Stop Music, an imprint of Atlantic Records.

Matt Hires
Background information
Born (1985-08-05) August 5, 1985
OriginTampa, Florida
GenresPop rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals, melodica, bass, harmonica
Years active2005–present
LabelsF-Stop, Atlantic
Associated actsSerena Ryder, Paolo Nutini, Sara Bareilles, Marc Broussard

Biography

As a cabinet store worker by day and a musician by night, Hires always had a heroic passion for music.[2] Matt's father, also a musician, introduced him to music at a young age, giving him the handmade guitar that Matt continues to play. Initially drawn to the punk, Post-hardcore, and Emo scenes, Matt later developed an interest in artists like Tom Petty and Bob Dylan, which explains the uniqueness of his vocal and instrumental harmonies that dabble in both traditional and contemporary musical realms.

Hires began his music career as frontman for Tampa, FL based band Brer. The band's debut record, Microwavable, was produced by Will Denton, longtime drummer for Steven Curtis Chapman. Atlantic Records A&R executive, Gregg Nadel, fell in love with his sound. Soon Hires began working with producer Eric Rosse (Sara Bareilles, Tori Amos, David Archuleta), and together they recorded his first full-length record.

Live From the Hotel Café, EP

Hires released his debut EP, Live From the Hotel Cafe, under F-Stop Music/Atlantic Records, on October 7, 2008. Although only four songs in length, the EP gained him solid exposure, with critics comparing him to the likes of Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Matt Costa, Mat Kearney, and Bright Eyes. But still, critics conceded that Hires has a sincerity and authenticity of his own.[3][4]

Building his fan base in preparation for his debut album, Hires appeared at the SXSW Music Festival and on the 2009 Mayercraft Carrier. He has also opened for Dave Matthews, Marc Broussard, OAR, and Paolo Nutini.[2]

Take Us to the Start

On July 28, 2009 Hires released his debut full-length album, Take Us to the Start, featuring his first single, "Honey Let Me Sing You A Song." The album also features "You in The End", co-written by Sara Bareilles.[5] Tracks from Take Us to the Start have appeared on Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Cougar Town on ABC and Life Unexpected on The CW.

Discography

Albums

Year Album Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
US[6]
2009 Take Us to the Start
  • Released on August 25, 2009 (CD)
    July 15, 2009 (Digital download)
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: CD, digital download
96[7]
2013 This World Won't Last Forever, But Tonight We Can Pretend
  • Released on August 13, 2013[8]
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2016 American Wilderness
  • Released on October 16, 2016[9]
  • Label: Rock Ridge Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download

EPs

Year Album Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
US[6]
2008 Live From the Hotel Café EP
  • Released on October 7, 2008 (CD, Digital Download)
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: CD, digital download
2010 A to B EP
  • Released on August 17, 2010 (Digital Download)
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: digital download
2011 Live Sessions EP
  • Released on March 8, 2011 (Digital Download)
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: digital download
2013 Forever EP
  • Released on February 11, 2013 (Digital Download)
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Formats: digital download

Singles

Year Single Chart positions Album

US Hot 100

US Rock
2009 "Honey, Let Me Sing You a Song" Take Us to the Start
2013 "Restless Heart" This World Won't Last Forever, But Tonight We Can Pretend

References

  1. Jacqui Anderson and Nathalie Voirin. "Matt Hires | Metromix Tampa Bay". Tampabay.metromix.com. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  2. "Artist of the day: Matt Hires | Tampa bands, Tampa concerts, Tampa Bay music scene: Soundcheck | tampabay.com & St. Petersburg Times". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  3. Nathalie Voirin. "Q&A: Matt Hires | Metromix Tampa Bay". Tampabay.metromix.com. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  4. "Ryan Cabrera > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  5. "Matt Hires". Facebook.com.
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