An artist and craftsman, Matt Monsoor returned to his hometown from Los Angeles in the late ’90s. Longing for the space he once took for granted—the Driftless—he settled in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he’s made his home ever since. Inspired by the region, he wrote “Sam’s Hill,” his latest single. The new song reflects the quiet joy of rural space, shaped by days spent salvaging wood from old farm structures to turn into something new. Now rooted in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Monsoor found renewed inspiration through collaboration, unveiling a series of singles and his critically praised 2024 EP, Better Things. Recorded live to 1/2″ tape and mixed by Shane Leonard (Humbird, Anna Tivel) featuring contributions from Matthew Skemp (Collections of Colonies of Bees) and Andrew Fitzpatrick (Bon Iver).
Coming straight from the deep corners of Monsoor’s archive is a soulful folk-rock tune with emotional dexterity and gentle tones. “Sam’s Hill” is a stunning, glistening piece of Southern music with vocals that carefully stumble around a poignant arrangement with subtle moments of animation. The no-frills ballad positions Monsoor as a purist, an individualist with a sense of tradition that is camouflaged in his refreshing take on folksy, pop nostalgia. “Sam’s Hill” takes you on a journey through imaginative imagery that depicts an apocalyptic mindstate, using the downtrodden guitar melodies to elevate the devastating songwriting. There is a novelist air to “Sam’s Hill” that makes the minimalism of the song feel immersive, bringing us closer to the story Monsoor is spinning and making every nuance impactful. “Sam’s Hill” is a quaint ballad from Monsoor that details the intricacies of the artist’s approach in a potent sketch of his songwriting prowess.
“‘Sam’s Hill’ was written 25 years ago— First recorded on an 8-track MiniDisc, over the years, it’s remained firmly attached, and now feels more at home than ever—fitting like a glove to the life we’ve built here,” explains Monsoor when asked about “Sam’s Hill.”
