DESCRIPTION:
Venice, California; Matt Ellis and Paul Chesne are set to release a new single, together. The duet, titled “They Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To”, will be available online everywhere Thursday October 27th.

“They Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To” is a slice of classic Americana. Lush pedal steel and electric guitar licks carry the listener through a contentious lyric as the pair call out the fading legacy of Music’s untouchable elite. The infectious melody is a sugar coating to a deeper truth both Ellis and Chesne stand by.

Matt began writing the track back in 2015, during sessions for his new album. “I knew it stood out from the other tracks I was writing, but it didn’t feel like a Matt Ellis solo track to me. And the last thing I wanted it to be was some old cranky rocker bitching about young pop stars. It needed a wink and not to be taken too seriously.” Enter Paul Chesne.

The pair got together over a couple of drinks and added the remainder of lyrics to the arrangement in late 2015. With Chesne fleshing out the verses and the outro, the track strikes the perfect balance of cynicism, and authentic despair over the state of current music industry.

“The losses we’ve experienced in recent years highlight the original inspiration for the track. I mean who’s there to fill the void left by Prince, B.B. King, David Bowie and Merle Haggard?” adds Ellis.

The single was tracked with Matt’s band; Acoustics and Vocals; Matt Ellis, Lead Guitar and Vocals; Josh Norton, Pedal Steel; Tim Walker, Bass; Grant Fitzpatrick and Drums and Percussion; Fernando Sanchez. The rhythm section was tracked live by Fernando Sanchez with Nick Luca engineering vocal and overdub sessions. The acoustic guitars were tracked by Alex Kemp at Wolf At The Door, Venice. Nathan Sabatino (Dr. Dog, The Flamming Lips, Giant Sand) mixed the track and J.J. Golden took care of mastering once again.

The Digital Single is accompanied by this Music Video, Shot, Directed and Edited by Daniel Elkayam (Blitzen Trapper). The Video amplifies the song’s meaning, turning Ellis and Chesne into a pair of D.I.Y. mad scientists, hell bent on creating the perfect pop star. Shot in Matt’s garage, the clip is perfect for this Halloween Season and is available now via YouTube.

Credits:

Directed by: Daniel Elkayam
Shot by: Daniel Elkayam
Edited by: Daniel Elkayam and Matt Ellis
Production Design: Jodi Ginnever
Prop Master: Jacob Whitmore
Coloring: J.D. Narro
Concept: J.D. Narro
Catering: Victual Habitual
Pop Star: Zoe Black

Cover art: Shot by J.D. Narrow