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New Jersey-born roots-rocker Matt Koziol has an innate ability to chronicle the stories of blue-collar America, a talent at the forefront of his sophomore record ‘Last of the Old Dogs,’ out today via RED Creative Records. The album is a purposeful, cohesive listening experience, tackling themes like personal growth, nostalgia, heartbreak, self-empowerment and more.

Listen to ‘Last of the Old Dogs,’ here: mk.ffm.to/lastoftheolddogs 

On ‘Last of the Old Dogs,’ Koziol’s vocal and stylistic versatility radiates across 13 tracks. Ranging from heavy-hitting rockers to metamorphic ballads, Koziol honors his past and looks forward to the future, delivering a profound look into the lessons learned from a life on the wild side.

“I had a neighbor back in my hometown who used to talk about the good days of people,” says Koziol. “This album tackles the idea of that ‘tried-and-true’ kind — someone who is ok with modernity, but has a fondness for nostalgia, tradition and hard work. This record was made with that idea in mind. Write great songs, find great musicians, stick everyone in a room, and hit record. Magic happens that way. I don’t feel like many are doing it like that anymore, and it’s how I always felt music should be made.”

Koziol wrote or co-wrote each of the 11 original songs on the album alongside Steve Moakler (Reba McEntire, Dierks Bentley), Kenton Bryant (Luke Combs, Kip Moore), Jenn Schott (Tim McGraw, Mickey Guyton) and others. 

He shows off a tenacious side on electrifying standouts “Which Way To Heaven” and “Follow Me Home,” while also offering earnest reflections on life’s changes on poignant tracks such as “I Was” and the title track. The album also includes a free-wheeling collaboration with 49 Winchester (“Old Fashioned”) and soaring renditions of Willie Nelson’s “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” and Shenandoah’s “Ghost In This House,” with the latter featuring 22x GRAMMY-winner Vince Gill.

 

Here’s what critics are saying:

“age-weathered rasp… crackling fire of a voice” 

— Billboard

 

“2024 is going to be a big year for Matt Koziol”

— Whiskey Riff

 

“a storyteller worth raising hell with” 

— Holler Country

 

‘Last of the Old Dogs’ was recorded at Gray Matter Studio in Nashville, TN and features steel guitarists Collin Pastore (Boygenius, Julien Baker) and Andy Ellison (Jon Pardi, Kameron Marlowe), drummer Jake Finch (Lucy Dacus, Bre Kennedy), keyboardist Charlie Lowell (Jars Of Clay) and more. 

Koziol will play multiple shows across the South and Midwest this year, with more shows to be announced in the coming months. For more information, visit mattkoziol.com.

‘Last Of The Old Dogs’ Tracklist:

Produced by Matthew Odmark

 

1. “Which Way To Heaven” 

(Matt Koziol, Reyna Roberts)

 

2. “Better Side Of Lonely” 

(Matt Koziol, Ava Suppelsa, Khal Yassein)

 

3. “Last Of The Old Dogs”

(Matt Koziol, Steve Moakler, Andy Skibb)

 

4. “The Fire” 

(Matt Koziol, John Stanislawski, Tristan Bushman)

 

5. “Mine” 

(Matt Koziol, Carlton Anderson)

 

6. “Ghost In This House (Feat. Vince Gill)” 

(Hugh Prestwood)

 

7. “I Was” 

(Matt Koziol, Kenton Bryant)

 

8. “You Better Run, Son” 

(Matt Koziol, Brandon Moore)

 

9. “Letting You Go Again” 

(Matt Koziol, Jenn Schott, Danny Rader)

 

10. “Old Fashioned (feat. Isaac Gibson of 49 Winchester)” 

(Matt Koziol, Brett Truitt, Steve Moakler)

 

11. “Follow Me Home” 

(Matt Koziol, Gus Seyfertt)

 

12. “Uphill Battle” 

(Matt Koziol)

 

13. “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” 

(Fred Rose)

 

Matt Koziol On Tour:

Sun., Apr. 14 | Cattle Country Music Festival | Gonzales, TX

Thurs., Apr. 18 | The Rustic | Houston, TX

Fri., Apr. 19 | Fiesta Oyster Bake 2024 | San Antonio, TX

Sat., Apr. 20 | The Rustic | Dallas, TX

Thurs., Apr. 25 | Kansas Crossing Casino + Hotel | Pittsburg, KS

Sat., Aug. 3 | Stone Pier Concert Summer Series | Lake View, IA

Fri., Aug. 16 | Lime Kiln Theater | Lexington, VA^

^with Zach Top