New Mexican

New Mexican is the solo project of American folk rock musician Matt Hoffman. Born in Las Cruces, NM and raised in Fort Collins, CO, Hoffman grew up singing and playing piano, drums and guitar. His father is the son of a New Mexican small businessman who was the owner of Hoffman's Melody Shop in Alamogordo, NM during the late 1940s through the late 1960s. Hoffman's mother was born in hanover, Germany, the daughter of a rocket scientist. in the 1950s her family emigrated to U.S., landing at Holloman Air Force Base in southern New Mexico. Hoffman feels strongly connected with these roots: his earliest musical instruction came from his Oma, a talented musician and painter, whose artwork of myriad New Mexican landscapes is featured on www.newmexicanmusic.com. Hoffman also plays his father's 1973 Guild Dreadnought as his main acoustic. In high school Hoffman's focus was drums, and much of his initial experience in bands took place behind a drum kit. However, he always took a keen interest in the language of music, studying intently both formally and in his own songwriting and composition. In 2009 Hoffman collaborated with Trent Nelson, and the two of them formed the band Strange Americans. Their debut album, A Royal Battle released in 2012 and was received with "almost unanimous enthusiasm" in the Denver community, (ListenUpDenver). The record placed on many lists including Marquee Magazine's 10 Best Local Releases of 2012 and landed Strange Americans alongside Denver bands to watch including the Lumineers. Since A Royal Battle Hoffman has released Lateral Moves (EP, solo, 2013), Mammoth Cave Live (EP, solo, 2014), and most recently released That Kind of Luster (Strange Americans, 2014). Strange Americans have shared the stage with such acts as Chris Stapleton, Water Liars, Cory Branan, Dead Confederate and The Both (Aimee Mann & Ted Leo). www.newmexicanmusic.com