Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-03-07
Photo: Courtesy of Matt Palka
Matt Palka, singer-songwriter and author, releases “Gypsy Queen” today (March 6), the second single from his collaborative album and audiobook, both titled Moment In The Sun, due June 19 and June 25 respectively. Based on true events, many of the audiobook characters have inspired songs on the accompanying album, including “Gypsy Queen.”
“Gypsy Queen” recalls that instant spark and attraction when you find love unexpectedly. “I sold my motorcycle for a new suit and a plane ticket to attend my best friend’s wedding in Los Angeles,” recalls Palka. “Then I fell for a bridesmaid, and two months later we drove cross-country to make a new home together.”
The single premiered earlier this week on Americana Highways, which wrote: “Nostalgic swirls of pedal steel and Matt’s emotionally expressive vocals launch this relatable tale of a young couple on an open-road adventure. It’s expansive and evocative as you can almost feel the wind blowing in through the open windows.”
The audiobook Moment In The Sun follows Riley, a college graduate, as he moves from Ohio to California on a bicycle with just $600 and a guitar. Over five weeks and 2,361 miles, he is led closer to his soulmate, finding traces and whispers of her along the way. Performing Songwriter Magazine proclaimed, “The hints of philosophy are so transcendent, ‘Moment In The Sun’ shines bright.”
The immersive audiobook includes music inspired by Palka’s own solo cross-country bicycling adventure in his 20s. The “heartfelt” (V13) first single and video for “Oh Angela” was released last month.
The audiobook is also featured as season one of Palka’s new podcast, Americana Bohemia, with new chapters released every Monday and Thursday. Listen online at mattpalka.com/podcast.
Matt Palka was born and raised in the small farm town of Haskins, Ohio. Ever since discovering the Beatles’ Abbey Road in high school, Matt knew he had to find the excitement and creative culture that lay beyond those country roads.
After graduating from Ohio University with an acting degree, his parents pressured him to take over the family fudge store. Instead, Matt moved from Ohio to California on a used bicycle he bought from a friend for $100. He managed to cram pots and pans, canned food, and even strapped a guitar across the handlebars so he could busk for meal money when his $600 ran out.
Matt’s route took him over the highest highway in America, a surprising fact he only discovered the night before his summit—his first mountain summit of any kind. Further west he rode across Route 50, “The Loneliest Road in America,” where he ran out of water in the desert and even went head-to-head with a bull at dawn.
Moment In The Sun is his immersive audiobook with music that captures that solo cross-country adventure. It was written, narrated, and includes an original soundtrack by Matt.
What happens when you take the road less traveled? The Americana Bohemia podcast explores the adventurous and creative spirit thriving in America’s most unexpected places with host and singer-songwriter Matt Palka. Season one kicks off with Palka’s immersive audiobook with original music, Moment In The Sun.
Listen to “Gypsy Queen”:
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