Spotlight Release Review | Matt Tarka – Beginnings: Pennsylvania Folk-Rock That Actually Feels Like Real Life
United States, Lancaster, PA
There’s something quietly powerful about Beginnings, the new single from Lancaster, PA songwriter Matt Tarka. Released on March 21st, it’s the kind of folk-rock track that doesn’t try too hard to impress you. It just works its way in and stays there. Built on reflective lyrics, warm guitar tones, and a voice that feels weathered in the best way, this one sticks.
The story behind it only makes the song more meaningful. Tarka wrote it during a songwriting workshop with Findlay Napier, Tracyanne Campbell, and Donna Maciocia. Instead of treating it like a one-off experiment, he knew he had something worth chasing. He brought it to Jarrett Nicolay at Mixtape Studios in Alexandria, VA, and together they shaped it into something that feels both personal and universal.
Tarka’s vocal delivery stands out right away. He doesn’t over-sing or dress anything up. There’s a rawness to it, but it’s also controlled, like someone who’s seen enough to know when to say more and when to let the silence hang. The lyrics are thoughtful but never try to be too clever. They land in that sweet spot where they feel like real life.
The production complements that feeling perfectly. Nicolay keeps things grounded and organic. There’s a mix of acoustic textures, subtle electric touches, and just the right amount of space. You can hear the collaboration at work, but nothing ever distracts from the song itself.
The title, Beginnings, fits the mood. It’s not about some grand reinvention or dramatic change. It’s about the quieter kind of starting over, the moment you decide to move forward without fully knowing where you’re headed. That feeling of possibility. You can tell Tarka is exploring something new here, but without losing his core identity as a songwriter.
If you’re near Harrisburg on April 5th or Cape May on May 29th, go and see him live. Something about this kind of music hits differently in person. The honesty comes through even stronger when you’re in the room with the person who wrote it.
