Emerging Americana artist Matthew Payne is beginning to carve out his own place in the tradition of great Texas singer-songwriters. Beneath familiar sounds of fiddle and steel guitar, he infuses his songs with a wisdom and ache only gained from a lifetime of searching for the truth. The former English and creative writing teacher crafts lyrics that burn themselves into your psyche – like “Trying to give my love and not take it back/ Trying to lift it up above the weight of the past,” from the title track of fresh debut Better Times. The Dripping Springs native brings his mature, rootsy sound, accentuated by piercing harmonica, bluesy guitar, and sentimental vocals, to the new release. Moonlight Towers frontman JM Stevens opens. – Joseph Gonzalez
