Matt Kivel’s New Single Is About Saying Goodbye to Old Friends – AdHoc

Matt Kivel’s New Single Is About Saying Goodbye to Old Friends

More delicate pop from the New York artist’s upcoming record, last night in america.

Since 2012, New York-based singer-songwriter Matt Kivel has been releasing delicate, ambient pop music, often using guitar and vocals to craft his melancholic tracks.

Most recently, Kivel released “l.a. coliseum” and “two braids.” They’re the first two singles from his upcoming record, last night in america, which he self-recorded at a makeshift home studio during a stint in Austin, Texas. Both tracks are tranquil and dreamy, benefiting from Kivel’s simple arrangements and gentle, fluttering vocals.

Today AdHoc is premiering “radiance,” a minimal, meditative track that calls to mind Bon Iver’s atmospheric “Lisbon, OH.” While “radiance” shares the ethereal quality of “l.a. coliseum” and “two braids,” it feels a little darker, tinged with a sense of mourning or loss. The last minute of the song is especially tender, with Kivel’s faint vocals fading away altogether.

“This song changed in meaning for me over time,” Kivel told AdHoc via email. “At first, it was about the idea of physically leaving old friends. Then, after an illness in my family, I saw that it also is about the way sickness can transform a relationship.”

Catch Matt Kivel at Park Church Co-op on May 3, with support from Daphne Tunes, James Place, and Lori Scacco. last night in america is out May 10, via Cascine.

TOUR DATES

05.03.19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Park Church Co-op (w/ James Place, Lori Scacco, Daphne Tunes)
05.17.19 – Austin, TX @ Cactus Cafe (w/ Daphne Tunes, Alexalone)
05.29.19 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Departamento (w/ Joaquin Garcia)
06.01.19 – Xalapa, Mexico @ La Moderna (w/ Joaquin Garcia)

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