Matt Tarka – Beginnings (2025)
Pushing the limits of genres to an eclectic realm of rock, pop and folk, singer-songwriter Matt Tarka is no one-trick pony. With a penchant for storytelling, and the originality of moving melodies, the US-based Tarka offers comfort, solace, intimacy and relatability with his music. Honing his craft in the “vibrant music scene of the DC area”, his genuineness has come to life with numerous collaborations, experiments, and musical concoctions. For over 10 years, Matt Tarka has intoxicated his listeners with heartfelt melodies. The latest addition to his discography is the single, ‘Beginnings’.
Following his well-received single ‘Back of an Envelope’ – the first single since his 2021 song ‘Comets’ – ‘Beginnings’ is a pivotal point in Tarka’s musical evolution. Initially developed during a songwriting workshop, ‘Beginnings’ was the result of this momentous push to continue creating and finishing the track. Joined by his long-time friend Jarrett Nicolay, the single came to life with a flair for melodic eccentricity. Tarka shares: “Jarrett’s a multi-instrumentalist and finds unique ways of taking me out of my comfort zone. We’ve developed a great shorthand for how we can advance a song without feeling beholden to any particular musical styles…”
For me, ‘Beginnings’ nods at old-school folk from the outset and keeps the vintage vibe flowing through the song. Yet, a refreshing element to the retro familiarity is not a modern-day edginess, but rather the fusion of all vintage folk styles. From the opening traditional folk styles – you know, the one you sing around a campfire – to a brush of folk-rock hiding poignant profoundness in its chilled-out laidback soothing.
To fully describe ‘Beginnings’ is not simple considering the rollercoaster ride from Fleetwood Mac to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, alongside the poetic songwriting of Bob Dylan – it’s a madness of joyful folk for just on four minutes. Interestingly, as the single has the upbeat charm of vintage folk, its lyricism seems to linger between hard-hitting profoundness with empowerment and resilience. Tarka sings of finding new beginnings, experiencing new beginnings, and celebrating the start of something fantastic. Sincere, sentimental and heartwarming, this shouldn’t be just a theme song for new beginnings, but the theme song for finding joy in life.
Find out more about Matt Tarka on his official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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