Cleveland, OH born and (now) Nashville based singer-songwriter Matt Moody writes songs that meet somewhere between rust belt grit, western tropes and vulnerable melancholia. A prolific songwriter & performer, Moody's journey thus far has landed him on notable stages such as The Hotel Cafe, Douglas Corner Cafe and Bonnaroo (the latter as a member of Wax Owls). Having been at it for well over a decade amongst the midwest, Tennessee and California, Moody has found himself collaborating with some big hitters in the biz; co-writing songs with Steve Cropper and Karen Staley.
Still a Kid in a Painted Sky is the sophomore album from Matt, released June 10th, 2022. Poetic and honest, Moody's writing and production style on his debut echoes a wide range of influence in the cowboy genre-sphere from heroes like Tom Petty to Jonathan Wilson. Rooted in American rock, pop and folk music with the storytelling approach of an epic, Painted Sky touches on themes of hope, desperation, love, loss, betrayal and ego death. Tracks like "Puttin' It Off" and "Shadows" evoke a dreamer's laissez faire attitude towards life and one's manifest destiny, while "California" and "Driftin'" accentuate the darkness underlying passion and the desire one experiences when reaching for something larger than themselves. Decorated with lush scenic soundscapes, boisterous horns, somber slide guitars and an overall dreamlike warmth, Still a Kid is sonically rooted in an era gone-by while simultaneously summoning a modern take on the drifter's philosophy. "Do what feels right" Moody and close collaborator, Hannah Stak, chant on the closing track "Miller Lite”; a mantra for Matt's way of life and attitude towards music.
Matt's music has been featured in TV series such as MTV's Teen Mom 2 and Hulu's How I Met Your Father.
PUTTIN' IT OFF
Nina’s in the back with her mind made up
we should get to heaven with a little luck
57 chevy or a pickup truck
just keep me on top, keep me on top
I was never good at playin rainbow road
cheap thrills are boughten and cheap thrills are sold
moving like molasses in the afternoon
me and my girl will get to heaven soon
but I keep putting, putting it off
but I keep putting, putting it off
Pour a glass of wine and let the universe
take its damn time with the human curse
fables are forgotten feeble and rehearsed
digging that dirt, digging that dirt
Angels and devils in a hurricane
washing me clean of every sin I’ve made
Hollywood’s calling every ball and chain
try to keep sane, try to keep sane
but I keep putting, putting it off
but I keep putting, putting it off
Do we ever make it to kingdom come?
with all I've done it's never enough
I DON'T MIND
That's my baby sitting on the couch
talking about yoga, undoing her blouse
she's emotional and I'm okay with that
like a flower
she gets
away with it
I've got friends and I've got enemies
turns out, they both got ahead of me
mono a mono, head in my hands
oh the things that i can't comprehend
chewing it over again and again
then I remember we'll all be dust
so I don't mind
it too much
Call me up and riddle me good
my daddy's in the shop
while momma gets wood
we're a long way now from the neighborhood
and that supper bell
Homemade sins and breakaway lambs
I've got my sights set on Japan
like an eagle I'll fly to the top of the charts at last
or maybe my moment's passed
then i remember it's just dumb luck
so I don't mind
it too much
So what's the big takeaway here you ask
well it feels like I've been yappin' my best
but I don't have much left
that ain't been said
except we'll all be dead
like rocks and such
and I don't mind
it too much
JOHN WAYNE
Every day in autumn is a lonely spell
when your heart goes missing at John Wayne's motel
in the not far distance I can see the view
surely I'll be better all because of you
Say ooh, say
I'm so tired of being my worst
that I'm putting love first
Think we gravitated
I have payed my dues
all the time that's wasted chasing avenues
I don't need the money or a golden key
I have found an answer
right in front of me
She say ooh, I say
I'm so tired of being my worst
that I'm putting love first
Wasn't made for television
this wasn't made for masquerades
you are all I've ever wanted
now say
ooh, say
I'm so tired of being my worst
that I'm putting love first
GRAVEYARD
Im shocked, how could you be so cold?
And then pretend like you don’t know
Wish I could move on down the road
Wish I could turn away
I search for hope
there's not a trace
Whats behind that empty gaze?
Its like your lost in outer space
Like you don’t feel a thing
You built me up
you broke me down
Ive been a fool for sticking around
You put up a fence to keep me out
I should’ve known from the start
I'm not surprised this fell apart
I bet you have a graveyard full of hearts
Still find it so hard to believe
That you could care less if I leave
I guess that I'm not what you need and
That’s hard for me to say
I just cant take it anymore
Theres not enough here to fight for
You never loved me like before
Can't even look me in the eyes
Wish I could walk away
CUTTING YOU LOOSE
It really shows
you don't know me at all
I'm tired of feeling two feet small
I gave a chance for you to come around
but you painted all in red across the town
through all our ups and downs
I got the news
you've been talkin' to who knows who
I'm cutting you loose
I'm cutting you loose
Thats some nerve of you
you threw me under the bus my dude
I'm cutting you loose
I'm cutting you
Right out of this
I had to put an end to all those nasty things you said
I had your back
when did you have mine?
you took a blade and twisted it in my spine
at least I've got my peace of mind
PARTY IN THE VALLEY
When I wake up in the morning every part of me's dead
pull me out bed
fix my coffee, hit the lighter and roll over again
is it ever gonna end
Well there's wind blowing in my hair
flowers on the guarder rail
sometimes feeling innocent
Mona Lisa in a benz
Pick me up and drop me off
I could never learn to bend
but I'm softening
I've been in a spell
feeling overwhelmed
drowning in the light
it's alright
it's alright
Well i guess i should get over my self
its not like you could help
quick, there's a party in the valley I think we should attend
they said to bring your friends
well
I still ignore the signs
mad about the candle light
tell me I'm not acting right
speeding on a stormy night
tears falling into rain
something to disguise the pain
till theres nothing left to face
I've been in a spell
feeling overwhelmed
drowning in the light
it's alright
it's alright
It's alright
its alright
it's all gone
CRASHING IN THE OCEAN
Hold me down
and break me in
I am dust
fading skin
and when I die
don't forget
I'm just
crashing in the ocean
of everything
All my life
been facing it
opened eyes
will let you in
So when you die
I won't forget
you're just
crashing in the ocean
of everything