I Walk Alone

Mattlock and the Keys

It was 2 years ago yesterday, April 7, 2024, that I first heard this song. I had booked a show for JJ Braves to play at The Central Saloon and I needed two other bands. Mattlock and the Keys was one of the bands I found that joined the bill. It was the first time I had worked with them. I recorded a video of just one song from their set and it happened to be “I Walk Alone”. I asked Mattlock about the song later and found out it had never been recorded. As the idea of doing this compilation started to really get serious, I made getting “I Walk Alone” for it a priority. This is the only song that didn’t exist as a recording, when I began talking with bands and building out the track list. Mattlock got in the studio in January and captured a phenomenal version that has that signature reggae rhythmic chug, his powerful vocals and an incredible saxophone part that brought in this Bob Seger vibe that is perfect.

Mattlock shared his thoughts about it: “A few years ago, my former partner and I got really into the show Yellowstone. One night while we were binge-watching, she paused the episode to make some popcorn. While she was in the kitchen, I picked up my guitar and started strumming, trying to capture the gritty, outlaw vibe of the show—especially the feel of Walker. As I played, I began blending that old west, outlaw perspective with my own life. By the time the popcorn was ready, we had decided to turn off the TV and write a song instead. It came together fast—one of those moments where everything just flows. A simple two-chord banger. Fast forward two years to when we finally recorded it. I was lucky to work with an incredible group of musicians—Bryan Jones, Neil Prof, Henry Smith-Hunt, Dan Warbington, Dean Kattari, and Rex Olsen—who helped transform it from a straight western-style tune into a rock and roll/reggae track.”