New Brunswick, Canada's Matt Andersen has a larger than life showmanship that has been earning him a fervent and steadfast audience wherever he graces the stage. Matt's sprawling blues, roots and rock musical hybrid with his sorrowing and soulful voice and astonishing guitar-playing has sparked a phenomenal buzz on Canada’s East Coast and that grass roots word of mouth cannot be contained any longer!
In the past few years, Matt has released an introductory EP along with two critically-acclaimed live fans’ favorites, the full length studio release “Second time around”, "Something In-between" which garnered two East Coast Music awards for Matt (Male Solo Artist of the Year and Blues Recording of the Year), "Piggyback" with harmonica virtuoso Mike Stevens and "Live at the Phoenix Theatre". Along with a very busy touring schedule as a headliner at major festivals, clubs and theatres throughout North America and the UK, Matt has also shared the stage and toured with David "Honeyboy" Edwards, America, Randy Bachman, the late Bo Diddley, Little Feat and a host of others.
Matt has just finished his fourth successful UK Tour along with airplay on the BBC and in various prominent blues and roots publications. Matt’s hectic touring schedule includes over 200 live dates a year that encompass North America and the rest of the world. In Dec. 2009, Matt performed on the CBC Vinyl Cafe tour that is hosted by Stuart Mclean and included major centers between Ottawa and Victoria to capacity crowds. The Vinyl Cafe is a radio variety show on CBC radio, BBC radio 7 and U.S. public radio stations.
On Jan 24, 2010 Matt won the 26th edition of the 2010 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in the birthplace of Rock N' Roll and home of the blues, Memphis, TN. Matt was sponsored for this event by the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in Fredericton, NB in the solo/duo category. Blues musicians from all over the world including 39 states, 12 countries and 5 continents were chosen by their respected Blues societies to compete in venues on the world-famous Beale Street. As the big winner and first Canadian to ever win the coveted first place position, Matt opens the door to the U.S. market and the larger world stage! Some of the prizes Matt won include: cash, 1st place International Blues plaque, large profile American festival gigs, festivals in France, Italy and a slot on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruises. For more information on the IBC go to www.blues.org.
Matt Andersen is a very real, rare, raw talent and career artist -- vital to our musical landscape. For more info on Matt and his music catalogue go to www.bustedflatrecords.com.
Quotes
The Times: "Canada's greatest guitarist made one acoustic guitar sound like a fully staffed band. Outrageous skill and contagious joy".
The Independent: “The big young blues player from New Brunswick couples larger-than-life showmanship with fantastic acoustic blues, roots & rock fretwork & soulful vocals. A big presence on the North American live circuit, he’s coming to Europe with a much-anticipated studio debut in the can”.
The Crack (Newcastle): If you’re the type who imagines yourself lounging on a Mississippi porch which a Ry Cooder-esque soundtrack is playing then this album is for you”.
The Northern Scot: “ Huge talent from Canada visits Elgin. His sprawling blues, roots & rock style, coupled with a big, honey tinged voice & enigmatic showmanship, has won him a fervent grass-roots following”.
Maverick: “Very pleasurable album from this talented guitarist/singer/songwriter”.
Manchester Evening News: Matt Andersen is an acoustic bluesman whose latest CD, Second Time Around, is as cheerful and relaxed as a conversation with an old friend. The sharp picking is a blues fancier’s dream, and his voice has a restrained fervour that shines on strong original material.
Rock n Reel: “This is a serious collection. Matt demonstrates his considerable skills. He has a big voice, which can roar, bellow or be remarkably gentle, even managing to sound authentically black in some of his phrasing”. There is not one track that I won’t welcome hearing again”.
Hifi Plus: “First rate guitarist and a vocalist of some note. He’s an excellent songwriter too”.Blues Matters: “A strong release. This album comes from raw talent. I hope there’s more to follow. Look out for Matt as he crosses over to a wider audience”.
Leicester Mercury: "Worth catching at the Leicester City Blues Festival is Canadian guitarist Matt Andersen. One writer enthused: ‘Matt made one acoustic guitar sound like a fully staffed band. He offers outrageous skill and brings contagious joy".
Blackpool Gazette: “A voice like Joe Cocker and an excellent guitarist to boot – quite a sales pitch”.
Reviews for “Something in Between” album
Blues in Britain: “A very fine set which will delight those who have seen Matt live & cause regret to those who haven’t.”
Guitarist: “After Matt’s rocked it up he comes up with a clutch of beautiful brooding acoustic songs that are about as good as it gets”.
Hi Fi+: "Too often albums tend to follow a familiar pattern and by the time you’ve got half way through interest starts to wane, but that isn’t the case with ‘Something In Between’. There’s something for everyone here.
Blues Matters: This is good stuff, with fine vocals throughout. The faster paced tracks leave you with the idea that it would be good to see them played in concert, I for one will be looking out for a show near me.
Gt. Yarmouth Advertiser & Waveney Advertiser: “All but two tracks on the album are written by Matt, demonstrating his place as a songwriter as well as a talented singer and guitarist. They are well-crafted and thoughtful.
Guitar Magazine: The Canadian blues & roots guitarist recorded this engaging ( & often tearjerking) album in the UK, aided & abetted by Eric Clapton alumni Dave Markee & Henri Spinetti. Worth a listen.
Net Rhythms: "Matt's a powerful young blues man from Canada. He has the songs, the chops, and a voice which happily blasts the blues-rockers and seduces on the gentle heartbreakers". “Bold And Beaten is from the album taster and has that smoky tone to his voice when he needs it. He adds strings to make a great gentle folk/country crossover and an excellent finish to an excellent album”.
Classic Rock Society: “A good album from a talented new musician”.
Maverick: “Canadian blues singer-guitarist releases an awesome album full of raw blues rockers and brooding ballads. This could put Matt’s name on the musical map around the world.”
Blues & Rhythm: “A blend of country/Americana, soft rock, ballad style material – pleasant. Occasionally I was reminded of the early Eagles. It would be interesting to see him live”.
In the Basement: “I’ve just realized I’ve singled-out as praiseworthy 7 out of 13 tracks, not bad for an album that I thought would be a total no no. Just shows what can happen if one locks the bias away and keeps an open mind. I defy anyone not to appreciated the stripped down "Broken Man" just Andersen & guitar.”
Blues in Britain: “Matt’s star is clearly in the ascendancy, this set proves that Matt is an excellent vocalist”.
Rock 'n' Reel: “It’s a mature & rounded album focusing on Matt’s voice and writing skills.”Blues News: “Something In Between” was recorded in England with musicians who have worked with Clapton & George Harrison. The results are frequently very mellow & extremely pleasing”.
Sunday Life (Belfast): "....solid, if sometimes sporific country flavoured rock from Matt Andersen on Something In Between"
Classic Rock Society: “This is a stately and accomplisted blues affair. His vocals have that ‘lived in’ feel….. tinged with sorrow & regret but redeemed by some supreme guitar work. He has surrounded himself with a talented group of musicians & when a talented team like this get together then it can be quite extraordinary”.
Blues In The South: “This CD is just what it says on the tin: Not straight blues, country or pop but “Something In Between” and pretty darned good too”.
Guitar Techniques: “One of Canada’s finest guitar players plays a mix of roots, blues & hybrid rock”.
Classic Rock: “To take their place among the greats, all bluesmen must face the shit-or-bust moment when they ditch the retreads of Little Red Rooster & live or die by their original material. Matt can deliver the goods when his own name is in the songwriter brackets. Backed by Eric Clapton’s former rhythm section and infused with Andersen’s larger-than-life personality, his country-flavoured blues has a rare humanity & humour that should blow the cobwebs off the scene in 2009. Clear a space for him at the top table.”
Hi Fi+ "Something in Between" is perfectly named. There's something for everyone here. There's beautiful ballads sung in the most expressive and sorrowful voice and "Lonesome Road" is infectious and rocks furiously and with real punch.” |
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September - October 2010 & March 2011
Territories: Europe
Format: solo
Looking for dates: Please enquire for availability |
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| September - October 2010 - see full schedule here. |
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