Imagine a Penn State student who, in addition to finishing his academic career with a degree in sociology, is also launching his own record label and releasing his first solo album.

This man is local folk artist Matt Halley (senior-sociology).

In addition to releasing his own solo LP, Age of Exploration, Halley has been working on several projects from his label, Harvey Records.

Because classic folk and blues influence much of his own music, Halley hopes to further that passion with an upcoming compilation album of local folk artists.

"I'll be releasing a State College folk compilation album with 20 local folk musicians through Harvey Records," Halley said. "They're all local artists, and many of them are students. I'm looking forward to it."

To promote Age of Exploration, Halley has been doing several local shows to gain momentum for his national tour this summer.

Halley will be joined by girlfriend and backup vocalist Dallas Breck on the tour, which will take them to venues as far as California and Oregon.

"I'm going to be promoting the album by touring all over this summer, to Indiana, Colorado, Utah, California and some other places," Halley said. "There will be a lot of shows in bars and cafés and places like that."

Locally, Halley will be playing upcoming shows at 7:30 tonight at Webster's Bookstore Café, 128 S. Allen St., as part of the Eco-Action benefit. Additionally, he will play at 1:30 p.m. on March 27 and 28 at the Shaver's Creek Maple Harvest Festival.

Having worked at the Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, Halley is familiar with the Maple Harvest Festival.

"That's one of their big festivals," Halley said. "It'll feature food and live music all day long both days."

Halley has also been a guest on the State Your Face radio show on WKPS-FM (90.7).

"He's a talented artist to be sure," said State Your Face co-host Steve Sulzer. "If you're into that type of music, then you're definitely going to love his stuff."

Breck echoed the sentiments of Sulzer when she asked about Halley's musical style.

"I go to every show he plays; I love to watch him play even when I'm not singing," Breck said. "I think it's just music that relates to everybody. It relates to me ... It's really beautiful and peaceful."

According to his Web site, Halley cites such classic icons as Paul Simon, Neil Young and Sam Cooke as influences who have inspired him to create a uniquely soulful album.

"I listen to a lot of old time guitarists and a lot of folk blues," Halley said. "I really love to finger pick. I hardly ever use a pick."

For more information on Matt Halley's music, Harvey Records or where to get a copy of Age of Exploration, go to www.matthalley.com or www.harveyrecords.
com.