Meet Matt Loewen of Head for the Hills in Front Range

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Loewen.

Matt, before we jump into specific questions about your band, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Head for the Hills is a genre-smashing bluegrass/roots/americana band started at CSU, in 2003, and has grown into a nationally touring group with eclectic shows that thrill and captivate everywhere we go. Dorm room jam sessions have turned into a decade-plus on the road–from humble coffee shops to theaters, festivals, roadhouses and clubs all across the country. Over time those sounds and influences have crept more and more into the bluegrass beginnings of the band, morphing into the seasoned eclecticism of their latest record, Say Your Mind. The new songs are quintessential Head for the Hills, genre-stradling, lyrically deep, and danceable, with a crew of collaborators bringing the best of Colorado acoustic, roots, and soul music together.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Over the 15 plus years, we’ve been a band, there have certainly been some challenges. Member changes, economic recessions–just keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of the music industry is challenging. There have been ups and downs, but the core mission and friendships remain, and we wouldn’t change it for anything!

Head for the Hills – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Head for the Hills is a band! We play music based in bluegrass that reaches out into the worlds of jazz, hip hop, soul, rock and much more. Touring solidly for the past decade has garnered us a reputation as a band that will make you shake your booty but think too, as our lyrics frequently deal with topical issues of the day.

Numerous festival appearances include notables Telluride Bluegrass Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, South by Southwest, FloydFest, RockyGrass, DelFest, Summer Camp Music Festival, Blue Ox Music Festival, Northwest String Summit, Strawberry Music Festival, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival, Folk Alliance, Grandoozy and many more. The band charted on the CMJ Top 200 twice, has been featured on NPR Ideastream and eTown and was awarded Best Bluegrass in Colorado four times via Denver’s Westword Magazine.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
It depends on what exactly you’re talking about, but one thing I always ask myself is am I having an impact here, and where and in what direction is that impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.headforthehillsmusic.com
• Instagram: Headforthehillsmusic
• Facebook: facebook.com/headforthehillsmusic
• Twitter: twitter.com/headforthehills

Image Credit:
Marc Leverette
Conrad Meyer
Dylan Langille
Josh Elioseff

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