Matt Hillyer has a new album ‘Bright Skyline‘ set to be released on June 21st, it’s the follow up to his 2022 solo album ‘Glorieta’. Across eleven tracks it traces Hillyer’s musical evolution from rockabilly roots to western swing, outlaw country, and traditional honky-tonk country. It’s the result of a steady period of songwriting as Matt Hillyer explains: “I’ve been in a songwriter group for four years, so I just kept cranking songs out, more so than I ever have in my life. I just wanted to keep it going, pick up right where we left off last time, and not let too much time pass.” Hillyer certainly has some dues to call on – for 23 years, he fronted the legendary honky-tonk band Eleven Hundred Springs, a band that toured the world and released dozens of albums. A long stint that came to an end with the band’s final gig in 2021, but even before Eleven Hundred Springs there were years in the rockabilly outfit Lone Star Trio, and even the Dallas rock band, Strap.
The new album ‘Bright Skyline‘ was recorded in Hillyer’s hometown of Dallas, Texas and features noted pedal steel player Lloyd Maines, along with Willie Nelson bassist Kevin Smith. Other musicians include James Driscoll on bass, Arjuna Contreras on drums, and Heather Stalling on fiddle.
Speaking of ‘Did She Ever Want To Live Like This‘, Matt Hillyer told Americana UK that “I wrote this song with Mando Saenz. I’ve always been a big fan of his music and he’s a good friend. I had the idea when thinking of my marriage. My wife was never with me because she was impressed by the music scene. She likes it, but she liked me for me and not that. I used to warn her about how life would be being married to a musician. It’s tough, but she was never phased. The songs speaks to me, wishing it wasn’t so difficult sometimes and being grateful that she understands.”
