Matt Filer was just 16 years old when his parents helped him purchase his first guitar. Now, 11 years later, he has released his first album, "Sounds of the Days."

"I feel like people write CDs with a storyline throughout the whole thing," he said."Mine is different moods. Life's not all one-sided."Created with an electric acoustic Epiphone Masterbilt, synthetic drums, keyboard, bongos and hands-free harmonic, it's a collection of "stories, metaphors, logic and random thoughts," said the Jim Thorpe resident."It's definitely strange strumming and breathing in and out at the same time," he said of the several different key harmonicas used throughout the album."You can add it to any song and it gives it a different feeling, a different direction. It's a whole different dynamic."Filer straddles the fence of folk and classic rock guitar playing with a unique vocal inflection that feels fresh yet as familiar as a favorite tie-dye T-shirt you don't remember getting but have worn threadbare."I'll get a concept or phrase and then build off that," he said of his collection of songs.The oldest song on that collection and the most challenging to complete was "Through the Miles," a Neil Young-esque vibe with an outlaw storyline and psychedelic accented twists."It took over a year to finalize. I'd take things out and then piece it together. I'm particular with my music."The self-taught, recorded and produced musician said he learned to record songs through trial and error."I bought the equipment and taught myself, it took eight years to get the sound I wanted," he said.Having grown up on classic acts like The Beatles, Bee Gees and "pretty much anything before 1985," Filer learned to be an acoustic player by listening to the sounds the stings made when strummed."I never knew chords. That's what sculpted my music," he said."I would just play guitar and write songs. I play by ear, not necessarily by chords."According to Filer, once he joined other musicians he learned the labels of the sounds he had already made using his six-string for half a decade.Even with his years of experience, it took Filer years to venture into the live performance venues."I'm a reserved person," he said."I have thoughts I keep to myself, so music is a way to connect. But it took me a long time to feel I'd perform the songs the way I wanted to sound on the spot."He sought advice from longtime friend and fellow performer from his old stomping grounds in Palmyra, Dan Jameson."I saw him playing out all the time, but I wasn't confident," he said."But it only takes one compliment to make you feel better."The singer/songwriter said the first time he played his electric acoustic for an audience, the set was composed of all original tunes."No one knew any of the songs. That's when I realized people want to hear familiar songs."He has since added a handful of expected and unexpected covers to his performances."I will blend songs from time to time, combining strange things. I'll do 'Gilligan's Island' into 'Sultans of Swing.' It came naturally."Filer moved to the area from Palmyra for a new job in 2015 and started playing the local music circuit. The nine-track collection on his CD features songs that have been heard throughout Carbon County from Thursday's Open Mic nights at the Broadway Grill to the Service Industry Nights at Stone Row.Having been taken with the mountain town, he composed a love letter where he highlights a handful of restaurants, coffee shops and makes mention of legendary St. Paddy's parade in the "Jim Thorpe" titled track."It was the easiest to do. It was just how I felt when I wrote it."Filer can often be caught playing covers and originals at the local musical haunts along with a few venues in his hometown. He is scheduled to play on Earth Day in front of Horizons on at 1 p.m. April 22 before he joins Hats in the park at 4 p.m.Filer's "Sound of The Days," can be purchased on Amazon, iTunes and Spotify.