Matt Heckler, "This Town is Killing Me," // GemsOnVHS™ 

If you’ve never seen Matt play live, you need to put it on your bucket list. I got to see him and Lost Dog perform together and they put on an amazing show. Matt has a great stage presence and rapport with the audience.

As an old punk kid I never thought I’d ever find my soul in the fiddle or banjo? But these new age “folk/bluegrass/alternative country” whatever you want to call it, has found a way to bridge the gap. It’s so simple just a man and his fiddle, just raw and real. I can feel the fiddle. Thank you and I hope other old punk rockers are enjoying their emotional string instrument phase!

That fiddle sounds so sweet and his playing technique is fascinating. Way more common in the past. This is just so good.

Since my fiance passed Matt and Benjamin Tod speak to my heart I cry so much now...

I’m going to see him this month for the third time this year. Seeing his set in person is life changing. Any time he’s within a couple hundred miles from me I’m going to let his music speak to my soul.

Great one. Those songs with him just playing fiddle and sing have a special magic to it and you guys captured it very well on this one! Chords and lyrics below folks. Have fun pickin! Standard tuning, no Capo Intro G Em / D C G / G C G C / D C G Verse 1 G Em / D C G / G C G C / D C G Chorus C G D G / C G D Em / C G D G / C G D G Interlude C G D G / C G D Verse 2 G C G C / D C G / G C G C / D C G Bridge C G / D G / C G / D G Interlude 2 C G D G / C G D / C G D G / C G D G [Intro] [Verse 1] In the waning days of autumn when the light starts growing so thin You can hear the winter calling, but by god, don't let it in In a bouquet of leaves I'll hang on to these days as long as I can And I'll better do to the folks I once knew cause I may never see them again [Chorus] And it's so long, I wish you the best dear This town is killing me and I need some mountain air Long gone to the wilds of the west dear I've come from bedlam but I'm bound for better days [Interlude] [Verse 2] Well I wanna die a good man so I can't die tonight Wake me in the morning and bathe me in the light You can burn my old clothes, my fiddle and bow, I won't need them where I'm going I will live and die beneath the cold open sky and never look back there again [Bridge] Cause I dream in waltzes, I waltz through the pines Where the valleys cut through in my mind So I'll take my leave with no goodbyes But I'll write to you, my love, in due time [Chorus] And I will say so long, I wish you the best dear This town is killing me and I need some mountain air Long gone to the wilds of the west dear I've come from bedlam but I'm bound for better days [Interlude]

In case anyone else is trying to play along and struggling like I was, turns out half of Matt's fiddle tunes are in old-time GDGD tuning, with the A and E strings tuned down. Had never heard of this but absolutely in love with it now!!

Matt is so awesome live and a really good person to talk to.. one time he told me that his favorite band was Gwar which was kind of a wild surprise!

I love you Matt and hate that I've never had the pleasure of meeting you. Next time you see a boat going up and down the river, just know there is someone out there working to true music like yours. From Pomeroy Ohio

he told a story about this at his chicago show, about the conductor and everything. it was really great.

had the chance to see him live a couple months back and it was a truly outstanding experience

Saw this guy in Bend, Oregon. Walked up to him outside the venue chilling with the patrons. Matt is cool as fuck. Shit show of a crowd but the best music ever.

Gems is my favorite RU-vid channel and Matt Heckler is my favorite artist. Thank you so much for bringing us this beautiful music

Sounding really class as always mate - what a legend!! 🎻

LOVE Matt and the heart he puts into all of his art.

I live in a shity town in anglesey north wales called amlwch and them words this town is killing me says it all.Bless all them lost soles.

Another hauntingly beautiful track. Thanks Matt and Gems.

Seeing him twice this summer in the rockies. Should be a blast!

If you like what you hear, you can check out Matt's entire recorded catalogue here: songwhip.com/mattheckler & make sure to follow his instagram instagram.com/mattheckler to stay updated on his new music & tour dates! & if you don't already, follow us at the GemsOnVHS instagram to see more of these incredible artists & pieces of musical history. instagram.com/gemsonvhs

First time listener, now permanent

This guy came into the restaurant I work at one time! Most awesome, down to earth person ever.

I absolutely loved this; got me ready for my shift at the Irish bar as security! Highland show this week :)

I always imagined getting married in the Sierra Nevada Foothills and having Matt Heckler playing at my wedding. Instead the Sierra Nevada’s were on fire the entire week of my wedding and honeymoon and I moved to East TN not long after. Ironically I feel like I had more access to peace and quiet there than now. Life is strange.

Nice, I love when this guy makes an appearance on this chan. First saw him doing a song on here with Benjamin Tod and instantly fell in love with his sound!

The only time I ever wished I was riding the Nashville Star.

Always so special to hear from Matt Heckler

Got to see him last week in Wisconsin. Truly an amazing musician and one of the best storytellers I've seen!

I just moved my family from California to Arkansas. Within a month I bought a house and got a new job. I feel 10 years younger, the people are friendly, there is hope for the future, and there is water, trees and life here. California was killing me.

speak to the heart with the heart thanks 🥲

Matt seems like such a beautiful soul. It was really powerful what he said at the end and I could hear his voice start to shake. True desperation really affects a person

I get excited when I see something new from Matt. Thanks y’all

Old time is no crime

Hey y’all, this field recording is now available to stream on our spotify. Check it out here: open.spotify.com/track/3FCXtKv99nPFYV0juibuEp?si=b3d3d16468b04c6a Be sure to give us a follow on there so you’ll be the first to know when we release more. Also, you can stream Matt's whole recorded catalogue here: songwhip.com/mattheckler & be sure to follow him on Instagram for tour dates & new music! instagram.com/mattheckler & if you don't already, give us a follow at instagram.com/gemsonvhs for more incredible songwriters like Matt!

Thank you for that, no matter where I've lived I have that same feeling

This man's tunes stir my soul like no other's.

I'd always admired Matt's writing, just pure heart in everything he does

Saw this guy last week in the Wisconsin Dells and I’m still mind blown. Matt Heckler is insanely talented and if you ever get the chance go check him out live.

Great stuff Mr. Heckler. Cool video spot yall at Gems.

Moving out of the grand canyon today, been here through torrential storms and drunken brawls at all hours of the night, and while I know this town is killing me, I can help but know I’ll miss it.

I've listened to this at least once a day since it came out. Cannot wait to see him in Ft Worth

absolutely amazing !

Matt is one of the most real artists I've been able to see. So pumped to see him back in SLC with Lost Dog!

yes! I got to hear the story about this video on Thursday! Amazing and hilarious 😂

This guy never disappoints

Matt Heckler is just awesome. Can’t wait to see him and Lost Dog in August.

currently watching him play and he's amazing

matt.... how can I hear you in person? your voice bro. your music bro/.... unmatched.

It’s things like this which will be so cool to watch in 50 years

I love Matt. What an awesome artist

Beautiful song.

It scares me how much i feel this song

Literally incredible

beautiful song. keep up the good work. Glad you are better . you look healthy again good Sir on this one mountain top video you looked like death was holding your hand. prayers for you from germany!

You were amazing in person!

Gorgeous!!!

Love you Matt heckler your so talented. Come play Chattanooga TN pls

hay~thayre~Matt Heckler! Brandy Gump Here! hya!thay're! them~some~nice~Ole'~fiddle~tunes~you~be~playin'! still raymebre; supre feelin' very~fortunate az well as extremely lucky, too have ya az a roomate at Graail street in asheville, North~cakalacky with Sparrow & marty; and always being treated too the most~beautiful~fine~&~dandy~live~music~in~home~fiddle~beautiful~orchestral~true~gypsy~soul; that side o tha Ol' Miss;iss;ipp! much~love 22 ya friend!dear~one!thanks for keepin the travelin music soul spirit~magic alive & well ;within these ever changing and though time~travelin'both old timey as well as modern o' times! always, & forevz; me & all y'all sacred old~soul~magical fam! peace & Love & happy~hobo~freight~train~dreamin'lullaby! :) bbest~regards! always! b.gump! ;)

Just imagine sitting in that train and this starts…..some people have all the luck

matt is such an inspiration

This man is literally a treasure.

In a industry so saturated with talentless suckers, you shine through partner. Got some real talent, and song after song from you is a absolute banger.

Banger

I love this guy

You remind me of all the street kiddos I ran with, brought in, kicked out, loved, and miss. Well…. Some of them 😊. Ride to SD friend

Really good waltzing song

hell, yeah!

There are few artists which truly speak to me, but Matt is one of them. The voice, the talent, even the look of him. I really wish I could have met him when he visited us in the Emerald Isle

Absolutely gorgeous

Damn that got me

🔥

❤

As a man who has spent all of his days in New York City. The gilded cage. This city is my home, my second mother. But I know that if I die here, I’ve had died in the wrong place. Oh to the day I say farewell to you, New York City.

Good performance

Oh yes

Let’s gooooo

my favorite thing about Western AF and the artists that it supports is the odd and interesting mix of left leaning politics with traditional music but also a deeper appreciation for traditional ideals: living with the land, family, community, and a general disgust with modern progressive society and its nihilism/hedonism, and rootlessness. its honestly amazing and refreshing.

dig it

How the heck does daddy simpkins make it not sound like matts on a moving train?!? A magician

You have a hell of a cadence.

See ya at the belly up man !

God i love you Tony and others Love Tyler James

I'm having deja vu. Is this a re-upload?

Fuck dude wow

what is tattooed on his neck?

Not my genre but have to give respect where its due. Good job nice fiddle

Im finnist but I wanna junp trains with tou guys

Cause I dream in waltzes

I'll always wonder if developers weren't behind that bombing somehow. Call me a conspiracist if ya want.

Nashville sucks now..just the same town in a different state...drunk powered vehicles everywhere..and 12 run you off if you try to play anything original and doesn't include bud light trucks or a methadone clinic