Artist Information
Biography
Will grew up with a guitar in his hand. Influences range from Metallica to Wilf Carter - but who would listen to that mash-up? So, he creates the rough edges he needs while keeping things within a rootsy-rock-folk space that allows his music to connect with a wide variety of people.
Raised in the Great Lakes Region of Ontario, Will was influenced by water, shorelines and endless horizons. His musical tastes were developed beside campfires and on sunny sandy beaches. You see a lot of life at the beach, and a lot of other stuff in the general area of a campfire. So many stories....and he does like to talk a little bit about the life behind his songs. For example, the song 'Miss Harriston' is about a friend who was a small town beauty queen heartbreaker and who is now all grown up with three kids and spends her time at motocross tracks. When she has a few drinks she puts on her prom dress, her sash and tiara and dances around. True story.
Will has no axe to grind, no political agenda. However, the themes of freedom, defiance, and personal choice do wind through his songs. He believes everyone should be free to experience true love, a broken heart, a dysfuntional family, and their own dreams - and he should be free to sing about them in either a serious or humorous way.
The new CD spans a lot of musical and lyrical territory, from the bleak audio landscape of 'This Town' to the crunchy guitar-driven "You Don't Want Me" and the rollicking fun of "Dollar in the Glass"
Check out www.myspace.com/willmatthewsmusic for more tracks and info.
Instrumentation
Will does many solo gigs with an acoustic and other guitars. When appropriate his band, the Starewells, accompanies on additional guitars, bass, drums and keys. A mandolin and banjo have recently been added for some songs.
Discography
'We Appreciate Your Business" - the new CD has just been RELEASED! There are streaming tracks on www.myspace.com/willmatthewsmusic and here on Sonicbids
Audio
Lyrics
Video
Press
Setlist
The typical set list for the spring/summer '09 touring season will consist mainly of songs from the new CD with a few older ones thrown in. As well, I am currently adding a few covers (Steve Earle, Tom Waits, The Who, Justin Rutledge, Skydiggers and Luke Doucet).
