Biography
'Safe or Free' is the title of Epp's newest musical vision, recorded largely live-off-the-floor with his band in Winnipeg, Canada in December 08 and April 09. It features special guests Eliza Gilkyson, Jesse DeDatale, Brandy Zdan (Twilight Hotel), Amelia Curran, Rusty Matyas and Matt Peters (The Waking Eyes), and Seth Ford-Young (Tom Waits), among others. It's an honest soul-filled folk record, with Epp's strongest songs yet. To be released in Canada in November 2009. Epp has no fixed address, and tour doesn't end.
'Orphan Horse', Matt Epp's third full-length album (released in April 2008), is a much-demanded collection of new & road-tested songs recorded live off the floor over 5 hours in an old theatre in Winnipeg. It's mostly just Matt and guitar and harmonicas, with very spirited performances.
Matt Epp 'Orphan Horse' (Independent)
A+
"Not unlike Ryan Adams, Epp has this weighty pitch that travels right to the core, and can either make your heart feel incredibly heavy or lift you right to your feet. If you like music, you'll like this."
— Jared Story (UPTOWN magazine, Wpg)
"Dear Listener,
It is said that "the mountains and plains and forests of Canada paint a profound picture". I would color it a boundless beauty, shade it a complicated freedom (Couldn't one stand in the center of such bigness and feel imprisoned by the vastness?). I've often believed that the geography of a place somehow insists it's way into an artist's work. Gladly this is the case with this album, Orphan Horse.
True as his birth in Crystal City, Manitoba, these wonderful recordings are open, sparse, and honest.
Real as the ground we walk on. Music that feels as natural as the earth that shakes, spins, and cradles us.
In a world gone topsy turvy Matt's songs look to find the best part of you, then they take you by the hand, they even pat you on the back.
The music itself seems to come from near and far (is it not the one true recycled substance on the planet?). Round and round it wants to go... Walk down the streets of Tin Pan Alley where it meets rhythm and blues and the invisible walls of Rock and Roll, the cobblestone of Folk.
See where Frank Sinatra meets Ryan Adams and walks with Sam Cooke to Woody Guthrie's house.
-Jesse DeNatale (SF, CA)
After moving often during his childhood and youth all over the Canadian prairies, Epp settled in Winnipeg as a home base in 2001 living in his car for 3 months until he could find a place to live. Once out of the car he filmed and completed 'Love Life', a professional skateboard DVD released in October 2003. That same year he was inspired to write and perform music, and now 5 years later he's released his 3rd solo album 'Orphan Horse'. The album marks a new season of purposeful wandering for Epp, on tour and adventure indefinitely. 'The Mom Song' from the album has been featured on Stuart McLean's CBC show Vinyl Cafe.
Matt's sophomore album, 'Love In Such Strong Words' features a vast cast of dynamic players and was released September 2006.
"A beautifully realized folk album with a voice that's as gritty as a gravel farm road but also soars like the sky above it. The songs are brilliantly textured with a Dylan-esque folk sensibility, and Epp lets his influences shine through while maintaining his own sound." -Jen Zoratti (UPTOWN)
His debut roots album 'You'll Find Me Alone' was released exactly a year earlier, live off the floor, featuring a small group of great players from Winnipeg.
"Foreplay in a jewel case."
-Matt Diabaldo (KICKfm)
-Matt attended and showcased at OCFF and the Western Canadian Music Awards in 2005, 2006, and is showcasing at the 2008 conference.
-Matt is a member of the Manitoba Audio Recording Industry Association (MARIA)
Instrumentation
Matt sings & plays guitars, piano, harmonicas. Tours mostly solo. Band available. Backing band/musicians change.
Discography
-'Safe or Free' Matt Epp's fourth full-length - 11/2009
-'Orphan Horse' Matt Epp's third album, a stripped-down performance-based record - 09/04 2008
-'Love In Such Strong Words' Matt Epp sophomore album - 09/03 2006
-'You'll Find Me Alone' Matt Epp solo debut - 09/01 2005
Links
| http://www.mattepp.com |