Matt Blais
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Matt Blais

Toronto, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | SELF | AFM

Toronto, Canada | SELF | AFM
Established on Jan, 2010
Solo Rock Americana

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Music

Press


"Spun: The Matt Blais Connection"

Calgary-based The Matt Blais Connection's self-titled EP is reminiscent of many things on the first listen. Influences such as the Beatles and Ben Kweller are clearly heard on each freshly emerging track, which often offers a completely different feel than the previous. With the combined elements of rock, folk and soul, it's no wonder Matt Blais has slowly but surely caught the attention of music lovers keen enough to discover him.

Firmly rooted in many of the genres that Matt Blais incorporates into his music, his raspy yet refined vocals point each song in the direction it was originally intended. A prime example of this can be heard in "Beautiful Thing," where the bouncy, loose melodies add to the seeming weightlessness of the song and album as a whole. Although the record is undoubtedly fun and light, that does not take away from its endearing qualities that shine through more often than not. The track "Time" effortlessly croons, "To spend more time with you, I would throw ropes around the moon" which reveals Blais as somewhat of a poet.

The Matt Blais Connection EP is surely the first of many efforts to come by the local act and presumably the platform which future records are built upon. It is a solid and impressive attempt and we should only expect Blais to improve and flourish. - The Gauntlet


"Big Rock Untapped CD"

THE BEST OF CANADIAN NEW MUSIC CHOSEN FOR
BIG ROCK COMPILATION ALBUM

Fifteen Tracks Selected From Over 500 Submissions

For Big Rock Untapped CD Vol. 2

Calgary, AB (November 24, 2008) – The search for this year’s best, untapped Canadian music is over...Big Rock Brewery, Canada’s leading craft brewer and the Official Beer Sponsor of the 2009 JUNO Awards, announced today its selection of Canada’s most talented, independent Canadian artists/bands to be featured on the Big Rock Untapped CD Vol. 2.

From folk to funk, reggae to rock, a total of 176 emerging talents from across Canada, spanning a variety of genres, vied for the opportunity to be included on the album, but only 15 made the cut.

This February 2009, 50,000 CDs will be distributed across Canada in specially marked cases of Big Rock beer, instantly giving these emerging Canadian talents virtual “gold status” and exposing the budding artists to a wide “untapped” audience.

“As a regional craft brewery, we know what it's like to have your voice heard in a competitive environment," said Jim Button, VP Marketing, Big Rock Brewery. "Our goal with Big Rock Untapped is to lend a hand and increase the visibility of these talented musicians who are as passionate about their craft as we are about ours.”

Factoring composition, lyrics, overall sound, talent and creativity into their review of the various submissions, renowned Canadian producer/composer Dave Pierce led a panel of eight judges from broad musical backgrounds to make this year’s selection.

“This is the second year that I’ve been involved in the selection process, and once again, I’m blown away by the amount of musical talent this country produces,” said Pierce.

“The Big Rock Untapped CDs are a great opportunity for artists to shine and be exposed to audiences that they would otherwise not have an opportunity to connect with. Kudos to Big Rock for having the foresight to make this happen.”


The Big Rock Untapped CD Vol. 2 artists are:

Artist Track Hometown

Dust Poets Walk Away Onanole, MB

Portal Jebel Moon Edmonton, AB

Jo Hikk 'Pimp My Tractor' Calgary, AB

Anthony Blaine and Bare Bones Orchestra Here for Your Money Calgary, AB

Ben Sures Used to Have a Raygun Edmonton, AB

Dodger STOMP Toronto, ON

Elizabeth Diminishing Returns Vancouver, BC

LunarTheory Beautiful Dark Dreams Moose Jaw, SK

Exit This Side Finding My Way Vancouver, BC

Pear This Ain’t A Love Song Calgary, AB

The Matt Blais Connection Beautiful Thing Calgary, AB

Ryan McMahon Road Signs Vancouver, BC

Elijah Lucian That You Move Calgary, AB

John Wort Hannam Sweet Sweet Rose Fort Macleod, AB

Souls in Rhythm So I Can Live with Myself Calgary, AB - Press Release - Big Rock Beer


"Rocketing to FUEL Big Rock Stardom"

It may have been months in the making, but the FUEL big Rock Star 2008 local music competition came to quite the close on Wednesday night.

The Matt Blais Connection were named the winners of the first of seven annual FUEL 90.3 performance grants, valued at a massive $200,000.

The five semi-final rounds began back in April, where hundreds of Calgary bands began fighting for a spot in Wednesday night's final. The field was narrowed down to the final five that included 'The Dudes,' 'Static in the Stars,' 'The Matt Blais Connection,' 'Zoo Lion' and 'The Shagbots,' who all took the stage one last time at the rock'n'roll lounge with the nasty name in hopes of winning the jackpot.

As semi-final winners, each of the bands had already been given $26,000 in support from FUEL. Add an additional $200,000 to that, and it would be the makings of a very sweet launch to the next level.

"It seems fitting that Calgary’s newest rock stars were recognized 17 years to the day that Nirvana’s 'Nevermind' was released," said Murray Brookshaw, FUEL Program Director. "All of the legendary bands that we play like Nirvana, U2, Pearl Jam all started as garage bands, imagine the impact of someone handing them $200,000 back in the day."

"When we tell people that this is a 'battle of the bands' they automatically think 'Canadian Idol,'" said Jolayne Motiuk, Newcap Radio Calgary's manager of Canadian content development. "The FUEL big Rock Star is about serious musicians who are developing original material and have been doing gigs in Calgary already. We are very pleased with how things went in 2008 and have some really exciting ideas for 2009."

Congrats to the Matt Blais crew and all other bands who took part, and hats off to FUEL for making a seven-year commitment in excess of $2 million to further the develop the careers of Calgary performers.

- Calgary Sun - Kelly Doody


"Full List of Press"

Please visit to see an extensive list of press and reviews regarding "Matt Blais" -


Discography

Single: Set Me Free

Single: Fire From the Spark (feat. Sam Roberts)

The Heartbeat

Let It Out

The Matt Blais Connection EP

Photos

Bio

Matt Blais Bio 2016

With every note and word, Matt Blais stands out as a spirited and hardworking musician. His signature raspy vocals and blistering blues harmonica are the unique cornerstones of a high energy live show that has captivated audiences across Canada and in countries around the world.

Winner of The Great American Song Contest, this performer creates a stylized union of emotionally influential blues, folk and rock to intensely express the simple struggles and triumphs of today.

The charismatic Blais seems at home both on stage, with countless tours, festivals and performances alongside Blue Rodeo, The Trews, The Strumbellas, Moist, The Glorious Sons, Big Wreck, Charlie Winston (and more). 

His two full length albums have received critical acclaim, Canada wide radio play and independently sold thousands of copies and have featured musicians,
Sam Roberts, Cone (Sum41), Jimmy Bowskill (The Sheepdogs) and collaborations producers David Bottrill, Mark Howard and Brian Moncarz.

“Set Me Free” is the latest song to be released. Paired with a stunningly vintage video, we are given a taste of the evolution of Blais’ career. More songs are awaiting release in 2017. 

With a drive to create and a refusal to stop, the potential of Matt Blais and his music is limitless. He has worked his way into the very fabric of Canadian roots-rock.


www.mattblaismusic.com


“Set Me Free” Song Download
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/set-me-free-single/id1169308834

“Set Me Free” Video Stream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw4azvRPwMU


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Band Members