Combine Townes Van Zandt with Jimmie Rodgers, and somewhere in the middle, you’ll find Matthew Payne. 

Texas songwriter and Americana artist Matthew Payne grew up in the beautiful hill country surrounding Dripping Springs, and worked as an educator in Austin for almost two decades. He taught high school English and Creative Writing, and loved every minute of it. The release of his debut EP, Coyote Howlin Blues, showcases an earthy, down-home style reminiscent of the old-time country and acoustic blues traditions of Texas songwriters mixed with Appalachian folk. It explores the human heart at its raw depth. It’s a love story, perhaps, among other things, and howls like the wild coyote. “Matthew’s vocals crack with raw authenticity and the songs sparkle like bright amethysts you find when you split open the dusty rocks of life,” says Americana Highways.