A riveting take on the Tom Waits classic “Hang on St. Christopher” comes via Brooklyn-based artist Matt Basile, representing the first single from his upcoming album, In the House of the Lord. A twangy country and folk cohesion aesthetic shines, propelled further by memorable pedal steel from Rob “Bobby Rich” Ritchie alongside Randy Schrager’s steady percussive pulse. Basile’s debonair bass-baritone voice beckons to “hang on, St Christopher — don’t let me go,” with road-trip immersion, embarking on a trip to Reno and beyond — through a nocturnal haze and a seemingly endless road.
“I’ve always loved this tune and thought there could be a way inside that was more of a driving barn-burner, something to bring out my memories of late nights on The Grapevine,” Basile explains. He was also inspired by a Saint Christopher belt buckle, part of a personal collection symbolizing places and identity, which led him to reflect on the chaos of modern life and the protector of travelers — setting the tone for his new album. Basile’s suave vocals meld with a sturdy country/folk production, inducing replays in both its re-interpreted melodic drive and Waits’ vivid lyricism.
“It got me thinking that he’s the patron saint of travelers and how everyone seems to be, well, traveling on a pretty wild ride these days … so, kinda like all the songs on this new album, it felt like the right time to take a swing,” Basile says. The stylish track has us fully anticipating In the House of the Lord, which leans into spiritual themes through both traditional gospel covers and observational storytelling. With a mix of original songs and faith-tinged tracks, the upcoming release explores how Christian language and influence quietly permeate everyday life.
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The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Indie Folk.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
