On LyricsMeanings.com: "Embracing Freedom: Chris McCandless' Belief in Something" /  by Matt Halvorson

“In the end, the song’s message is clear: it encourages a life lived with intention, a pursuit of freedom, and a rejection of the mundane. It urges us to be remembered for our beliefs and dreams rather than for simply going through the motions of life. ‘Chris McCandless’ serves as a reminder to embrace the authenticity of one’s desires and dreams, to stand for something, and to seek a more meaningful and purposeful existence in a world often characterized by conformity and superficiality.”
— LyricsMeanings.com

On ‘Second Acts’: “Before Jackie Robinson, There Was Moses Fleetwood Walker" /  by Matt Halvorson

“In 2021, a country singer who goes by the name of Cousin Wolf recorded an album entitled Nine Innings which features a song for each of nine historic baseball players. The first tune on the album is Moses Fleetwood Walker. In the song, there’s this sad refrain:
Now it’s too late,
You’re just a footnote on the page.
On April 15, as we pay tribute to Jackie Robinson for his courage, dignity and athletic achievements in the face of unimaginable abuse, let’s also pause and remember Moses Fleetwood Walker, who did it first.”
— Ronald Claiborne, Second Acts

In the Trivia Mafia Morning Rounds newsletter: “The Legacy of Moses Fleetwood Walker" /  by Matt Halvorson

Walker died in 1924 at the age of 67, and, tragically, his legacy has largely been lost to time. Fleet has been getting small, belated recognition in the recent past. Oberlin College inducted Walker into their Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2017, Ohio passed legislation to make his birthday, October 7, “Moses Fleetwood Walker Day.” Folk artist Cousin Wolf wrote a song called “Moses Fleetwood Walker” in 2021. Is it enough for what he did, is it the legacy he deserves? No, but it is at least something.

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On the "Hooks & Runs" podcast: Video of the Year award /  by Matt Halvorson 

    “This is not my video of the year, this is one of my all-time favorite videos ever. It is Cousin Wolf — the song is “Kevin Elster” — just fielding groundballs at shortstop and making the throws. I just thought that was the perfect video for a really good song and a really good record. Simple, restrained, on-point, perfect.”
    -Craig Estlinbaum

    “If you’re looking for good music and a good story, look no further. Cousin Wolf. Fantastic.”
    -Eric Estlinbaum
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In The Forum: "Fargo-raised singer turns singles into homers with concept album about Roger Maris and other MLB players" /  by Matt Halvorson

These days he writes Rise Up for Students, an advocacy blog about equity and education in Seattle and Washington, focusing on racial issues and social injustice.

He sees Major League Baseball as a reflection to America’s long reckoning with these issues. He started “Nine Innings” about a decade ago after learning about Moses Fleetwood Walker, one of the first Black men to play in the MLB. His only season was in 1884 and he would be the last Black man to play in the bigs until Jackie Robinson cracked the segregated game in 1947.

Halvorson will mark Jackie Robinson Day, April 15, with a song about the Hall of Famer. An ode to Walker comes out on May 1, the 137th anniversary of his first day in MLB.

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In Northwest Music Scene: "100 Bands in 100 Days Presented by Verity Credit Union — Day 58: Matt Halvorson" /  by Matt Halvorson

A quick glance at his bio above and you can tell this is a man on a mission and prolific barely an accurate word to describe this songwriter. In addition to sharing a song a week this year, Halvorson has a solo album due out before year’s end called Sermons. The 11-song offering is packed full of songs played from the heart, told by a new-age storyteller with seemingly never-ending tales to tell. Whether sitting in front of a piano or with an acoustic guitar slung over his shoulder, Halvorson bares his soul on these tunes and lets the rest of us in on some of what what makes him tick.

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