Melbourne bluesman and folk balladeer Matt Katsis has recently released his newest 6-track EP,’ As The River Runs’. The EP will be the third release from the artist and the release will be accompanied by an 8-date tour across Australia. The seed was planted for Matt through exposure to family friends playing the acoustic guitar at family gatherings, and since then Matt has grown into a well known Australian alternative singer-songwriter with an individual edge. The successful release of his last EP ‘The Burke & Wills Sessions’ back in 2016 was warmly welcomed and since then Katsis has been working hard on writing and recording his newest collection of tracks. After extensively touring over the past couple of years, Katsis shows no signs of slowing. His newest EP release ‘As The River Runs’ encompasses his distinctive fusion of folk, blues and roots and now, after a recent trip to the US travelling through Nashville, New Orleans and Memphis, his music hints at influences of alternative country and Americana.
‘As The River Runs’ is a wholesome slice of folk and blues flavoured country pie. ‘Colours’ kicks off the EP foot stomping and soaked in bluesy swagger. Gritty guitars screech and whine while a throbbing pulsing beat adds a strong foundation and kick to the track. Katsis’ warm raspy vocals add a gritty texture while guitars wail with a sensual allurement. ’ Need You Here’ is a delicate subtle track with very little instrumentation to start letting Katsis’ soothing warm vocals take the limelight. Light guitar twinkles throughout with delicate percussion chimes and a stomping beat. Golden and wholesome this track glows with infectious bright tones and comforting positivity. Extremely passionate and emotional it’s the kind of track that fills you with hope, puts a smile on your face and brightens your day. ‘All I Wanna Do Is Fly’ is a little darker to start with deep vocals and a shadowy undertone. The vocal harmonies add a chilling coolness to the western like pistols at dawn vibe. It’s a little bit eerie and cold with only the haunting guitar twangs to brighten the track. ‘You & My Guitar’ returns us to the jingly bright bluesy soaked Americana. It’s gentle sway-like tempo and light guitar twinkles evokes images of a sunset and relaxation. With touching vocals and warm tones it’s a blissful cosy blanket to snuggle into. ‘Tomorrow & The Next Day’ again twangs with country warmth. The thing that becomes apparent with this EP is how detailed and moving a guitar feature can be. The guitar twangs really add depth and vibrancy to the track and lift it into a melancholic sense of playfulness and it’s quite beautiful. ‘Need You Here (unplugged)’ brings us to the end of the EP it’s here you feel the true impact and depth of Katsis’ soulful vocals. It’s quite the calming exquisite way to end a beautiful EP.
‘As The River Runs’ is a warm soothing EP brimming with passionate graceful tracks that warm the cockles of your heart. It pure and honest and charming. Each track flows smoothly into the next while displaying subtle variety’s in Katsis’ musicianship and depth. So rich and moving its immensely satisfying and a soul fulfilling adventure.
When asked about the track Katsis said “This EP as a whole pushed me further as a songwriter and led me to cross new territory, using a wider use of instrumentation and taking a closer look into song arrangement.”
You can catch Matt Katsis live at
23rd Sept – Albany, WA
24th Sept – Margaret River, WA
6th Oct – Canberra, ACT
14th Oct – Bendigo, VIC
20th Oct – Mildura, VIC
29th Oct – Adelaide, SA
1st Nov – Melbourne, VIC
23rd Nov – Brisbane, QLD
Stream ‘As The River Runs’ below
