Digital Launch Day
I’m incredibly excited to announce the release of “Number 4” on Kindle and the accompanying song, “Broken Mind” by Matt Ellis, is now streaming everywhere!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Matt Ellis Releases New Single “Broken Mind” Inspired by Stewart Burton’s Upcoming Novel “Number 4”
Joshua Tree, CA – September 24, 2024 — Acclaimed singer-songwriter Matt Ellis releases his latest single, “Broken Mind,” on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The track launches in tandem with “Number 4,” a powerful new novel by Stewart Burton, which serves as the inspiration behind the song.
“Number 4” is a gripping true story that follows Burton’s harrowing journey through heroin addiction and survival within the Chinese prison system of 1990s Hong Kong. Ellis and Burton, old friends from their high school days in Hong Kong, reconnected after many years when Burton reached out with an early draft of his book. Inspired by Burton’s raw and triumphant narrative, Ellis composed and produced “Broken Mind” as a musical companion to the story.
“It was a unique experience growing up in Hong Kong, and one I don’t take for granted,” said Ellis. “The book brought back a flood of memories that I was able to access and express through Stewart’s perspective. ‘Number 4’ is a classic underdog story, and I was there to witness some of these events firsthand, navigating my own teenage years while beginning to write and perform with my first band. It didn’t take much to step back into that time and into Stewart’s shoes for those 4 minutes and 45 seconds.”
Musically, “Broken Mind” is a throwback to the late ‘80s, evoking the sounds of bands that defined the era—The Clash, early U2, The Cult, and The Cure. Ellis captures the rebellious spirit of Hong Kong’s expat teenagers, who frequented iconic underage bars like “In-Place” in Tsim Sha Tsui and “Thingummys” in Lan Kwai Fong. The song’s raw, urgent sound is reminiscent of tracks spun by DJs or on jukeboxes in those legendary venues—a blend of defiance and vulnerability that resonates with the story it supports.
The track was recorded at Ellis’s home studio near Joshua Tree, California, with contributions from his backing band and guest musicians. To complete the project, Ellis collaborated with celebrated mix engineer and producer Adrian Hall (Tori Amos, Depeche Mode, Anna Calvi), who was also the drummer in Ellis’s high school band. “I’d been looking for a reason to work with Adrian for years, and this was the perfect opportunity to reunite and bring it full circle,” Ellis added.
Adding another layer of nostalgia, the single and book cover art were created by Martin Lever, an award-winning artist and fellow Island School alumnus who called Hong Kong home for over 40 years before relocating to the UK.
“Broken Mind” will be available on all major streaming platforms, while “Number 4” will be released as both an e-book and hardcover, available on Amazon and www.number04story.com. A portion of the proceeds from purchases made through www.number04story.com will be donated to Scottish Autism, supporting a cause close to the heart of this powerful collaboration.
For more information, please contact:
Matt Ellis - www.mattellis.com
Stewart Burton - www.number04story.com
Credits:
“Broken Mind”
Written and Produced by Matt Ellis
Mixed by Adrian Hall
Mastered by J.J. Golden
Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars - Matt Ellis
Lead Guitars & Backing Vocals - Joshua Norton
Guzheng - David Sait
Bass - Dustin Bookatz
Drums & Percussion - Denny Weston Jr
