Oshawa/Warkworth’s Americana Rocker Matthew Holtby’s New EP is an Absolute Sonic Departure
Oshawa, ON-born, Warkworth, ON-based Matthew Holtby has been slowly adding to his collection of singles, one song at a time for the past two years. Working with Peterborough, ON Producer Michael Phillips, the pair have been digging out the sounds Holtby creates on his acoustic guitar with the help of his bandmates, best friends, and even his Father. Last year saw the release of two independent singles which caught the ear of the CBC and also helped to land him a few festival spots. He also had the pleasure of opening for legendary blues-rocker David Wilcox to a sold-out crowd in his hometown of Oshawa. With the help of his last release, Holtby’s Americana-style sound has garnered a few notable online reviews. This time, that stripped-back acoustic sound has vanished and transformed into something mystical and magical.
It’s a sound almost unrecognized with the lead-off track on his brand new self-titled EP. “A Certain Place In Time” begins with a shivering fiddle courtesy of Port Hope’s Manja Horner. The song crashes and implodes before an old friend turned new bandmate Ken Kucharic does his very best David Gilmour impression on lead guitar. The hushed vocal is combined with a massive backing band that takes the listener on a trip that rolls like thunder and crashes like the sea. References to nature and weather come to life with lines like “the green fades from leaves and trees carry the weight of falling snow.” There is a picture being painted and the pallet is vivid and explosive.
The second song which is being delivered as the “single” of the three, is a straightforward pop-rocker that was written upstairs at Holtby’s in-law’s home where he shared a bedroom apartment two years ago. He, his Wife, and two kids were searching for their new home while staying above the garage in a loft near Stoney Lake when he woke up to the melody he dreamed of the night before. “I grabbed my Norman, sat up and the song fell out of me.” The result is “Goodbye Song.” A three-and-a-half-minute jam that wouldn’t sound out of place on your playlist next to songs by The Lemonheads, Matthew Sweet, or Wilco.
The final song of this collection is “People I Admire.” A somewhat biographical song that touches on real-life loss, combined with a playful saxophone and honkey tonk piano. Holtby has never denied his love for New Orleans life and culture. The artwork features a photo and vibe that recalls the jazz releases of long ago, and that feeling is quite intentional. All in all, this 3 song EP is worthy of repeat listens, and adds a new colour to an already vibrant, yet small library of heartfelt music.
Care to introduce yourself?
Hi. I’m Matthew Holtby. I’m an aspiring artist who’s recently begun to take my music more seriously after leaving a 15-year career as a radio DJ. I’ve been in bands before, but this is the first time doing the whole “solo artist” thing under my own actual name.
Tell us about the process of recording “Goodbye Song”?
I consider this a true “pop rock” song that kind of fell out of me a couple of years ago while living with my In-Laws on Stoney Lake. Sometimes I dream up melodies, and I woke up with this one in my head. The recording began at a session here in my basement. We tracked bass and drums for a collection of songs over a year ago and continued to layer up as we worked through the songs. My Producer Mike Phillips and I banged out vocals and rhythm guitars at his studio in Peterborough and had leads and keys added in two separate sessions. These all came together quite quickly. We work really well together.
What’s it like being a musician in Warkworth, Ontario?
This place is flooded with art. Visual, musical, culinary, and more. Although I’ve only lived here a short while, I’ve met some amazing people and certainly feel welcomed by the community. I won’t name-drop, but some very talented and reputable artists live here who I’ve grown up listening to. On the other hand, some of my best friends live on the road I live on, and we’re each raising families here. Life is funny like that. We all came from Oshawa and ended up in Warkworth. I love it here.
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
The first? Probably Anne Murray. It was the first concert I ever attended as a 7-year-old with my parents and the experience was magical. It was at the O’Keefe Centre. The crowd, the band, and the emotion were something I’ll always remember. Even taking a break at intermission was great.
The most recent is an act from here in Peterborough called DOSES. They’re great friends of mine who continue to write and produce electro-pop songs that should be all over the radio. I know it’ll happen for them.
You’ve been making music for a bit of time now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
Get ready to move and shake with the way this entire machine changes and evolves on a daily basis. I’m an older guy, but I’m still learning how to play the game. Never stop writing and take every chance you can to listen and learn from wise people around you. It’s taken me 20 years for people to take me even remotely seriously, and even that’s a stretch lol. Don’t do this for anyone but you, and write as many songs as you possibly can. There’s nothing quite like knowing you wrote something you love, even if others don’t quite get it.