In 2008, Matt Bauer released The Island Moved In The Storm, one of our favorite records of that year that has continued to hold its weight in rotation since.

Earlier this year Bauer released The Jessamine County Book Of The Living, a continuation of greatness which demonstrates Bauer’s a firm grasp on the songwriting craft.

If you live in Austin be sure to catch Matt Bauer at Waterloo Records at 5pm this Wednesday and later that night at the Mohawk. Both shows feature the equally talented Dana Falconberry.

We couldn’t think of a more fitting subject to draw favorite sad song selections from and are thrilled to feature Matt Bauer’s selections below.

Jolie Holland – “The Future” (Listen)

There are a million love songs and a ton of break up songs, but I can’t think of another song that touches on love and break ups in this way. The speaker in the song recounts to her partner all of the things they’ve had, recounts their love in detail as a kind of tribute as she asks him gently to wake up from their “beautiful dream” because it’s ending. Such a strange, generous, unique and heartbreaking song.

Dolly Parton – “Lonely Coming Down” (Listen)

If someone other than Dolly delivered this, it could swing way too far into melodrama, but she captures the over the top longing and sadness of having your heart broken just perfectly. The little detail in the lyrics that describes the impression left on her pillow from her lover’s head is so specific and sad!

Tom Brosseau – “How To Grow A Woman From The Ground” (Listen)

The over all feel of this recording is just wonderfully late night and lonesome. It was recorded live with no audience in a bar. This song in particular has a lonely and surreal feeling of jumbled memories, longing, and regret that knocked me over when I first heard it years ago and still kills me.

Hazel Dickens – “West Virginia, My Home” (Listen)

Hazel had one of the saddest most beautiful voices I can think of. Listening back to this song recently I realized it’s more complicated than just a song about longing for home, its also about what happens when you leave home to follow a dream and things don’t work out the way you hoped.

Mariee Sioux – “Old Magic” (Listen)

I’ve heard Mariee sing this a million times and I still well up a little every time I hear it again. I’m not really prone to crying at shows except when something is so bad I weep for the minutes of my life being wasted! The part about “a snake who knows he’ll never stand” is usually my breaking point. So, so good.

Buy: Matt Bauer – The Jessamine County Book Of The Living
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MP3: Matt Bauer – “Blacklight Horses”
MP3: Matt Bauer -”Hammer Down”

Muzzle of Bees favorite Matt Bauer comes to Madison supporting Jolie Holland on Tuesday, October 13th at the High Noon Saloon. If you are not familiar with Bauer’s work, do pick up a copy of The Island Moved In The Storm – it is one of the most staggeringly beautiful and under-appreciated records out there. Seriously, you’ll love it.

“Music saved my life, and so now I go where it takes me.” – Matt Bauer

Tickets: $13 | Buy Online

Buy: Matt Bauer – The Island Moved in the Storm
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Myspace: Matt Bauer
MP3: Matt Bauer – “Don’t Let Me Out”