Matt McCloskey

Gritty guitar and gritty vocals make up Let It Burn, an album available on vinyl and digital download and clearly recorded for that purpose: the quality is best experienced as a blur of guitars and drums screaming through record player speakers. Soulful femail harmonies enrich the record complementing the classic rock sound McCloskey caputres on tracks like "I Need Love" and "You've Still Got Me." At times, it sounds as if Tom Petty stopped by to lend a few solos, but don't be fooled - that's all McCloskey. On "Goin' Back to Texas," a harmonica is at home beside vocals both vulnerable and yearning, while McCloskey flexes his talents with "This Is Not Over," remeniscent of a Meat Loaf masterpiece that seems to build until there's nothing left but dark, resonating guitars and a haunting piano. McCloskey closes this eight-track album with the acoustic, easy-going "It's a Good Thing," which could serve as an apt characterization of Let it Burn - Texas Music Magazine

Honest and upfront, Matt McCloskey is one of those local musicians whose music speaks for itself. His blend of midwestern folk is as soulful as it is introspective, and he invites you to join him at the Cactus Cafe Tuesday, November 28th for the release of his new EP The Hard Rains which you can stream or even download for free (right up until the show) via NoiseTrade. - Wanderless

Singer-songwriter Matt McCloskey is relatively fresh on the Austin scene, having just released his first album These Times Won’t Last in 2009. For as new and young as he is, the depth of his songs’ themes of pain, hope, and freedom is astounding. McCloskey’s truthful performances and cutting lyrics have become somewhat of a hallmark of his, taking him from your average indie musician into the territory of being a truly gifted songsmith. Matt McCloskey will release his latest EP, The Hard Rains, which explores the more difficult sides of truth, and the struggle to find it. He’ll be playing a show at the Cactus Cafe on Wednesday the 28th to celebrate its release. Recently, he stopped by Studio 1a to record a live session, check it out right now! - KUT