Have Gun, Will Travel - ProfilesArchive

About Me

"The most important new alt-country ensemble in Tampa Bay" Creative Loafing Tampa HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL began as a vehicle for the songs of Matthew Burke, singer-songwriter and former frontman for Florida indie-rock trio The Chase Theory. Burke began writing and recording these songs at home, then performing them in front of crowds around the Tampa Bay area. By combining elements of folk, rock, punk, bluegrass, and traditional country music with an indie sensibility, the music takes on a style of its own. Evan James from American Songwriter Magazine explains why HGWT's self-recorded, debut EP release was featured in the publication's "Under the Radar" section: "HGWT's self-titled EP is a testament to the fact that you don't need ostentatious artwork or $25,000 production to make it into Under the Radar; all you need is good songs." What started out as a solo, mostly accoustic project has since evolved into a full-band effort. With the help of brother Daniel Burke on bass, drummer JP Beaubien, guitarist Nate Oliver and Josh Hernandez on viola, HGWT has established itself regionally as a force to be reckoned with. "Come, All Ye Sinners" (track 5 on the new LP) was the 1 song on Tampa's WMNF Community Radio 88.5 FM for four consecutive weeks after being featured on the BAAMO (Bay Area Arts & Music Organization) CD compilation Cheatin Heart: Tales of Lies & Love.New record Casting Shadows Tall As Giants available now!

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/24/2006
Band Members: Matthew Burke (voice, accoustic guitar, banjo, harmonica) Daniel Burke (bass guitar, voice) Jean-Paul Beaubien (drums, percussion) Nathaniel Oliver (elec. guitar, lap steel, voice) Joshua Hernandez (viola)
View Have Gun, Will Travel's EPK
Sounds Like:PayPal users click here:"HGWT's freshly minted full-length debut, Casting Shadows Tall as Giants, ranks with anything on the national Americana charts. Its gorgeous acoustic guitar-based melodies are fleshed out with back-porch banjo, lap steel, viola, piano and harmonica. A taut rhythm section that occasionally operates in subdued rock mode propels the songs. The mostly traditional instrumentation, arrangements and production provide a supreme backdrop for Matt Burke's reedy, intimate singing about charlatan preachers, finding solace in a lover's arms and facing up to the responsibilities of growing older." Wade Tatangelo, Creative Loafing Tampa
Record Label: D.I.Y. baby!
Type of Label: None

My Blog

NEW RECORD OUT APRIL 18TH!!

Yeah! Our new full-length record CASTING SHADOWS TALL AS GIANTS is finished and ready for your listening enjoyment. Our official CD release show will happen at The Crowbar in Ybor City (Tampa) on Apri...
Posted by Have Gun, Will Travel on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:09:00 PST

HGWT at SXSW & BAAMO CD comp.

Our song "Come All Ye Sinners" (from our upcoming full-length album) will be featured on Cheatin' Heart: Tales of Lies & Love, a CD compilation put together by the fine folks at BAAMO (Bay Area Ar...
Posted by Have Gun, Will Travel on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:02:00 PST

Forthcoming Full-length Album!

We're currently wrapping up production on our first full-length album. The record will be released early '08. Details will be announced as they develop. We're very pleased with how everything is turni...
Posted by Have Gun, Will Travel on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:46:00 PST

Best of the Bay 2007!

Creative Loafing, Best of the Bay 2007 Critics' PicksBEST NEW BAND: Have Gun, Will TravelMatt Burke taught himself banjo, harmonica and clandestinely composed alt-country tunes in between gigs with hi...
Posted by Have Gun, Will Travel on Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:02:00 PST

American Songwriter!

HGWT is currently featured in the Under the Radar section of American Songwriter Magazine! Here's what they had to say about HGWT's self-titled EP... Have Gun, Will Travel's self-titled EP is a testam...
Posted by Have Gun, Will Travel on Fri, 01 Sep 2006 10:10:00 PST

HGWT on the Radio!

HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL was recently featured on WMNF 88.5 fm's "Live Music Showcase". The hour-long broadcast included live, in-studio performances by HGWT and The Diviners. If you missed the show (or ...
Posted by Have Gun, Will Travel on Wed, 19 Jul 2006 12:01:00 PST

HGWT in the press...

Click here to check out a write-up on HGWT in the current issue of the Weekly Planet. Click here to read about the new EP in the Bradenton Herald....
Posted by Have Gun, Will Travel on Wed, 24 May 2006 10:21:00 PST

CDs now available!

Hell Yeah! HGWT's self-titled, 7-song EP is now available. CDs will be on sale at shows, or you can purchase a copy right here through an easy, secure PayPal transaction. You can order ...
Posted by Have Gun, Will Travel on Mon, 24 Apr 2006 01:11:00 PST