Congratulations to the folks named in Metroland Magazine‘s BEST OF 2009 edition! We have plenty of friends all over this thing, but first, our own artists!

SEAN ROWE :: “Best Solo Artist”
Sure, this guy once ate a chipmunk so as not to starve, but he also opened for Boz Scaggs and the Doobie Brothers, so cut him some slack. Better yet, give his recent album Magic a spin and then try to tell us Rowe ain’t the bee’s knees. This survivalist has pretty much the best baritone around and certainly knows his way around a six-string, backing band be damned.

MATTHEW LOIACONO :: “Best Songwriter (Project-Oriented)”
Loiacono has proven to be an ace songwriter (in addition to label honcho and musician-about-town), particularly when he puts himself to task. Last year’s excellent Kentucky, recorded for the RPM Challenge in just 22 days, found the artist limiting himself to just mandolin and voice. For this summer’s Penny Riddle he used different constraints: Each of its eight songs is just a minute long. We can’t wait to see what he puts his mind—and talent—to next.

Check the rest of the listings here! Thanks Metroland!

Matthew has also signed up for this new service called NoiseTrade, which allows users to either pay what they want, or tell five friends about the music in trade for downloading high quality MP3s of the songs.

Check it out!

Penny Riddle is eight one-minute songs. That’s right; bite-sized songs. Instead of challenging himself to record an album using only one instrument (like his last album, Kentucky), Matthew chose to use time as the limiting factor for this recording. All instruments were “in play” this time, including a brand new octave mandolin, a new Guild acoustic guitar, and for the first time – electronic beats and samples.

The result is a whirlwind of a recording, meant to be listened to in order and on repeat.

Collar City Records is pleased to offer this recording on CD in a very limited quantity. Only 88 physical copies will exist, ever. Head to the CCR store now to secure your copy of this beautifully packaged, hand-numbered piece of Matthew’s future.

Artwork: Phil Pascuzzo for Pepco Studio
Sleeve / CD Production: Sire Press

Listen to the first four songs from Penny Riddle at Matthew’s MySpace page.

Going hand-in-hand with the audio of the EP is a video portion. Matthew solicited some video-making friends to put together pieces for each song. We will be revealing them (hopefully) weekly at the Collar City Records YouTube Channel. Up now is Paul Coleman’s take on “I Would Keep You”! Stay tuned, please!

TRACKLIST:
1. Offering
2. Penny Rag
3. Are You Hearing What I’m Saying?
4. I Would Keep You
5. Caramel Hands
6. Subtly Torn
7. Beat for Baby
8. Riddle

The EP is comprised of eight one-minute long songs. The recording is available for download here.

Offering

Caramel Hands