Songwriter/solo artists are strange animals. They’re typically solitary and… Read Full Bio ↴Songwriter/solo artists are strange animals. They’re typically solitary and prickly. They don’t move well in packs. It’s unusual for two such artists to find something in common magnetic enough to join forces over a common vision.
In the case of Matthew Ryan and Neilson Hubbard, this would seem a particularly difficult event. Each had already carved out a niche for himself, each was well-known and highly-praised by the critics. Steve Earle had referred to Ryan as, “one of the best songwriters I’ve seen come to Nashville,” and No Depression had claimed Hubbard’s music was, “a realm where melody, hooks and harmonies converge in a spirit of yearning and state of grace.” In addition, they come from opposite ends of the spectrum. Hubbard constructs songs like glimmering white birds – emotionally open, light and jubilant. Ryan’s songs are storm crows – heavy, world-weary and wise. Where Ryan loves The Clash and Leonard Cohen, Hubbard loves Bjork and Sinatra.
The songs on their debut are arresting. It is a sound that is sophisticated and pretty and smart. It is clean and simple. The purest example of this being “Cars & History” in which, over an acoustic guitar and hovercraft groove worthy of a Wes Anderson film, Ryan sings.
Another way to picture their differences: if they were filmmakers, Hubbard would be Truffaut and Ryan would be Scorsese.
It’s two polar artists blending into a single cohesive vision. It’s a classic rock and roll move to challenge one’s expectations from music. Tireless, hopeful, ambitious and hungry…
...It’s The Strays Don’t Sleep
In the case of Matthew Ryan and Neilson Hubbard, this would seem a particularly difficult event. Each had already carved out a niche for himself, each was well-known and highly-praised by the critics. Steve Earle had referred to Ryan as, “one of the best songwriters I’ve seen come to Nashville,” and No Depression had claimed Hubbard’s music was, “a realm where melody, hooks and harmonies converge in a spirit of yearning and state of grace.” In addition, they come from opposite ends of the spectrum. Hubbard constructs songs like glimmering white birds – emotionally open, light and jubilant. Ryan’s songs are storm crows – heavy, world-weary and wise. Where Ryan loves The Clash and Leonard Cohen, Hubbard loves Bjork and Sinatra.
The songs on their debut are arresting. It is a sound that is sophisticated and pretty and smart. It is clean and simple. The purest example of this being “Cars & History” in which, over an acoustic guitar and hovercraft groove worthy of a Wes Anderson film, Ryan sings.
Another way to picture their differences: if they were filmmakers, Hubbard would be Truffaut and Ryan would be Scorsese.
It’s two polar artists blending into a single cohesive vision. It’s a classic rock and roll move to challenge one’s expectations from music. Tireless, hopeful, ambitious and hungry…
...It’s The Strays Don’t Sleep
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Strays Don't Sleep
Strays Don't Sleep Lyrics
April's Smiling at Me We can Walk alone When the noisy heads Surround you So…
Cars And History December thirty first Eleven fifty nine I think I'm happy …
Falling Asleep with You I'm falling asleep with you Tomorrow there's nothing to pro…
For Blue Skies Its been a long year Since we last spoke How's your halo? Ju…
Love Don't Owe You Anything I lost myself for a second there I don't know how I…
Martin Luther Ave. Somewhere there?s a little girl cryin? Somewhere there?s an …
Night Is Still When the night is still And the world doesn't know our…
Pretty Girl There's a pretty girl sitting next to me And you know…
Spirit Fingers Sticky fingers closing in my hands Warm breath whispered in…