Matt Westin found his fulfillment in the creative outlets of singing and singing after years of searching, and walked away from a promising career in engineering to pursue that passion. Influences by legendary artists, ranging from Johnny Cash to Garth Brooks, to even Frank Sinatra, Matt found his voice. He honed his vocal ability in bars and clubs around Pittsburgh for over a decade, with his at first reluctant family, becoming his biggest supporters. But it was the tragic event of his father passing away due to complications of chemotherapy in his battle with Leukemia, which drove Matt to seriously pursue his musical career. He decided to record an album in his father’s honor by roping in musician, songwriter and producer Bryan Cole, along with Doug Kasper to record and mix the record at Tonic Recording Studios. Legendary musicians Mike Brignardello (Big & Rich, Blake Shelton, bass) and Steve Hinson (Dolly Parton, Luke Bryan, steel guitar), and up- and-coming musician, Adam Ernst, also joined to work on the project. On the 29th of January 2018 Matt Westin will release his long-awaited, full-length debut album – “Legacy”.
Right off the bat, for anyone expecting catchy songs to cross their radios that’s exactly what’s at the forefront of “Legacy”. A majority of the album feels ready for mainstream radio with “Our Redneck of the Woods” and “Too Many Mondays” feeling like the obvious future hits from the record.
A man who knows his way around a ballad too, Westin’s low slung baritone soars on “Right Amount Of Wrong” and “The Road That News Was”. There are quite a few songs here where Matt Westin forewarns fans that he’s one of the best country singers out there right now.
There are hard and fast dividing lines between the classic and modern, and the mainstream and independent in country music, but Matt Westin’s voice and style both embraces and transcends all of them.
He can kick up a barnyard ruckus on “Farm Town”, delve into Top40 rock-induced country on “The Devils Door”, or sing an emotional porch-front tearjerker on “Don’t Feel The Rain”. These songs showcase what Westin does best, combining a little bit of introspection, a touch of emotion and a whole lot of country.
Honesty and lyrical creativity are Matt Westin’s biggest strengths. Missing are the cliché observations so many rely on, replaced by words one is sure he’s spoken in conversation. Westin is the kind of the guy who does everything well, but humbly lets you know he could still do everything even better.
He marks his own genuine path by not being afraid to be vulnerable. The production throughout the record is luscious and layered, but still leaves room for the rising country star to use his deep baritone to portray emotion and tell tales.
Weston has a really distinctive tone to his voice and you will instantly recognize it whenever you hear him. Furthermore his songs are built for radio and they’re so damn catchy that they stick in your head for a good while after they’ve finished. The debut album “Legacy” is clear, indisputable proof of why Matt Westin will land on so many “artist to watch” lists for the upcoming year.
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