Available Now: New Mexican’s Debut Album ‘Take It On Our Shoulders’

Denver-based folk-rock songster Matt Hoffman, who performs under the name New Mexican, today releases his debut album, Take It On Our Shoulders. Available now on Spotify, iTunes and Amazon, New Mexican’s debut album is a beautiful, introspective collection of songs about the American experience which Glide Magazine describes as, “channeling Bruce Springsteen through a folk and Americana sound.”New Mexican is currently touring in support of Take It On Our Shoulders this fall, including a sold out home town listening-room release show at the Ubisububi Room in Denver on September 29^th, 2018. All announced dates are below with tickets available at www.newmexicanmusic.com.

Recently, New Mexican released the video for “Two Hearted”, which showcases a melodic, working-class reflection on money, art, wilderness and the American economy — themes which ring throughout the album. “I’ve been troubled by the economic challenges Americans of all backgrounds face, and how that has fueled a sense of disconnectedness in our communities,” New Mexican explains. “The songs on Take it On Our Shoulders explore those ideas as honestly as possible, trying not to sugarcoat anything, even when the conversation gets difficult.”

The 11-track album sees New Mexican examining the stories of different middle-class people in present-day America — not those at the top, not the 1% — but the average American who is affected by the rising cost of education, finding and keeping work, trying to buy a home or having to move, generally those feeling underserved.

New Mexican’s fictional characters on Take It On Our Shoulders are influenced by recent historical events, including the album title, which refers to the 2008 Financial Crisis and the American taxpayers’ role in the recovery. “The whole album attempts to understand people in struggle, and also to connect us as human beings,” New Mexican explains. “A coal miner and a die-hard solar advocate who may disagree politically both share the challenges of making a living, spending time with friends, raising a family, living a meaningful life. I think it’s time we try to understand differences by connecting through our shared experience. Go grab a beer with someone who has different political or religious views or go stay with people different from you and get to know them.”

Take It On Our Shoulders was recorded primarily in New Mexican’s home studio in the Cole neighborhood in Denver, CO, where he wrote, performed, recorded and produced the album. Mixed by Xandy Whitesel (Bon Iver, The National Reserve, Trout Steak Revival, Land Lines, Natalie Tate), mastered by Matthew Barnhart (David Bazan, Superchunk), and featuring Jeff Rady on pedal steel (Patrick Dethlefs, 5 & Dimers), Take it on Our Shoulders is available for purchase now via iTunes.

Praise for New Mexican

“Consider the close-in immediacy of Hiss Golden Messenger triangulated with the cinematic scope of Calexico – a space on the smudged and torn map that’s well-removed from the noise of the nearest city.”  – ROUTES & BRANCHES

 “In his own way, this New Mexico native is taking cues from the likes of Waits, Steinbeck and Hemingway as he strives to shine light on the plight of working-class men and women in our time — and while that’s not always pretty, this record has very few blemishes.”  – MARQUEE MAGAZINE

“. . . lush arrangements over Springteenesque stories about coal miners, factory workers and Hoffman himself, all wondering about their station in life and if there is something bigger out there.”  – WESTWORD

“Channeling Bruce Springsteen through a folk and Americana sound . . . In our divisive times we are need of artistic voices to speak for the everyman and his struggles without judgement, and ‘Letters’ makes it clear that New Mexican possesses this ability.”  – GLIDE MAGAZINE

“ . . . real life, real stories of people, and getting back to the heart of what makes us tick.”  – THE NEW SCENE

Feet-in-the-Dirt Honesty . . . depth of experience . . . gorgeously melodic.”  –The Denver Post

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