Calgary alternative blues-rocker Matt Blais has a new lyric video to share for his track, “Everything Connected,” off his latest record, In Shadow and Light. Currently, in the midst of a Western Canadian tour, Blais is also up for two 2019 YYC Music Awards. Winners will be revealed on September 22.
Check out the video and tour dates below and find out more about Matt Blais in our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Matt Blais is my name and rocking and rolling has been the game for the last 10 years. I write songs as honestly as I can and then perform them with every ounce of fervour. It’s my job as an artist to connect people. That’s led to a great life playing shows and making records, including a new one this year. In Shadow and Light is my third full-length album, and it’s about the quest for connection in our increasingly deceptive world.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
I take influence from all genres, but I gravitate most towards roots music. The passion and pain of the blues, the storytelling of folk, performed with the intensity of rock. When I write a song, I don’t think about genre at all. Generally, I start with a single lyric or inspiration that I’ve collected in a note on my phone. Then I sit down to write, usually with a glass of wine and my dog close by, and I get all the lyrics out first. Only when I have a good bunch of lyrics or ideas down on paper do I pick up the guitar. For example, my new song “Everything Connected” was written with entirely words first, then melody, and I didn’t add chords to it until we hit the studio.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
I’m always playing shows—they’re my favourite part of this business!
Notably, we’ll be at: the King Eddy (Calgary, AB), Waynestock (Drumheller, AB), St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino (Cranbrook, BC), LV’s Vinyl Café (Red Deer, AB), and lots of the small towns in between in the coming months. Check out www.mattblaismusic.com to keep updated.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
It would have to be “Everything Connected.” It encapsulates who I am, critical yet hopeful, lively but perceptive. It’s got a great groove and some cool harmonica.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
I love that Canada is famous for unique vocals, from Geddy Lee to Celine Dion to Gord Downie. We’ve got a rich history of amazing artists but if I had to pick me top three:
– Joni Mitchell. I love how she can be so many things at once. Vulnerable yet piercing, wounded yet virtuous.
– Matt Mays. The definition of rock’n’roll in my eyes. Passionate, raw, visceral, everything I want in a performance.
– Sam Roberts. He’s one of the reasons I started writing my own songs in the first place. I got to work with him on my song, “Fire from the Spark,” a few years ago and my suspicions were confirmed: he’s one of the most authentic, down-to-earth songwriters.
Upcoming Canadian Tour Dates:
August 25 – King Eddy – Calgary, AB
September 1 – WayneStock – Drumheller, AB
September 28 – St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino – Cranbrook, BC
October 1 – Citizen Brewery – Calgary, AB
October 1 – Gallery House Concert – Calgary, AB
November 1 & 2 – Grey Eagle Casino – Calgary, AB
December 12 – LV’s Vinyl Café – Red Deer, AB
December 20 – Mikey’s on 12th – Calgary, AB