Press Contact: Kim Grant
KG Music Press
Kim@KGMusicPress.com
Office: 626-264-8198

Downloadable EPK:

Nearly Beloved Press Release PDF
Matt Lax Bio PDF
Matt Lax Color High Res Photo 15.1 MB
Matt Lax Black & White High Res Photo 10.1 MB
Nearly Beloved Color High Res Photo 8.1 MB
Nearly Beloved Black & White High Res Photo 8.5 MB

"A bunch of roots cats that have an unabashed love for early Statler Brothers, Bakersfield sound and Tom Waits come in with a subversive roots date that would have normally had to spring from a mind like Kinky Friedman. Killer roots music for malcontents that want to keep it slightly under the radar and not give their stripe away too quickly, this stuff is a gas for anyone with a sense of humor---even though it's not a comedy record. Great stuff for those looking not to play it too straight.- Chris Spector of Midwest Records ."
Chris Spector- Midwest Records

"…the title track is one of the year's best songs...The disc ends with Matt Lax alone with his acoustic guitar, singing a song about leftie/ folkie Woody Guthrie's daughter. Another of the year's best songs. Matt Lax is clearly a songwriter to watch."
Paul Rile-Country Music People-UK

"There's much to like here and it's the sort of album where your favorite songs will change with each listen....Where's Bob is an album worth looking out for and listening to."
Steve Rapid- Lonesome Highway

With sly humor, an ample serving of classic country songwriting and sparkling guitars, Matt Lax and his band, Nearly Beloved, bring you their newest record, Where’s Bob? due out mid-February on Attaboy Records. Nearly Beloved is a group of seasoned roots and americana musicians who are at home playing swing, traditional country, the Bakersfield sound, country rock, and bluegrass. Throughout the recording they play with depth and experience as they guide “Darling Bob” and the many star-crossed characters from the album, along their way. Lax describes the varied personalities from his songs, “People living lives full of mistakes, paying the price, and learning from their mistakes…or not!”

The album combines a rich blend of styles unified by Lax’s songwriting and singing, and the band’s crack musicianship. The opening track, My Memory is reminiscent of classic Buck Owens and fervently reminds us, “don’t sweat the small stuff.” Cool Fucking Sunset is an anthem to the California Surfer and has a Byrds cum Rolling Stones feel to it, while Where’s Bob? with spare instrumentation and a gorgeous gospel background serves as the ultimate testament to rebound relationships. Tomorrow Won’t Be The Future is a Gram Parsons’ inspired tune whose theme explores the fatuous notion that science and industry can rescue us from our current environmental peril. My P-Role Officer is a jug-band infused look at our criminal justice system from the perspective of a simple minded ne’er do-well. Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues is the lone cover song on the disc and his warning “lookout kid” seems to fit right into Lax’s circumspect world of downtrodden characters. “It’s likely part of my Irish Catholic upbringing,” says Lax, “When I’m feeling optimistic I like to say ‘the glass is only half-empty’, because things can always get worse!”

The album is not all irreverence. The many acoustic offerings include The Moon and Morning Star and Sunflowers Turned Away, intimate and plaintive songs like those from Lax’s 1998 release Wanderer’s Dream. Little Woodblock, the final song of the album, features Lax alone with his guitar reflecting on Woody Guthrie’s journey and the influence his older sister’s premature death had on that troubadour’s beautiful and tragic life. “Woody Guthrie gave so much to this world, while in his own life he suffered so many personal tragedies.”

Nearly Beloved are Matt Lax-guitars, mandolin and vocals, Erik Pearson- guitar, banjo and vocals, David Rubin– drums, Paul Olguin- bass, and Peter Lax- harmonica. The album is rounded out by special guests Joe Kyle Jr.- Upright bass (The Waybacks) Jon Dryden-piano (Nora Jones’ band “The Little Willies”), background vocals- Richard Linley and QB Williams (The Palm Wine Boys), Sonya Hunter, Ted and Kaye Rodden-background vocals, John Mader-Drums (Booker T. Jones), and Dave Zirbel- dobro, pedal steel (Commander Cody, I see Hawks in LA). Matt’s lead vocals were recorded and produced by Mark Karan (Jemima Puddleduck, Rat Dog).

"It is always exciting when good songwriters hit their stride. Matt Lax hit it out of the park with Hurricane and a Tumbleweed. Nicely crafted songs and stylish arrangements tumbled into a beautiful and satisfying musical package."
Mary Tilson - America's Back 40 - KPFA, Berkeley

"A storm of furious instrumental solos, bouncing rhythms and clever lyrics are the components from which Matt Lax's CD “ Hurricane and a Tumbleweed” is built. Expect to be swept away in a party of music."
Fran Gray - Two Louies Magazine.com

4 stars...Believe this stuff !!! A very fine fusion that is listenable and humorous too! A very pleasant and well-played musical adventure from musicians who are conversant with much more than just Country music! Good job!
Dave Chamberlain - WRFG FM Atlanta