Biography
Six years after his critically-acclaimed debut effort Bridges, Prince Edward Island singer, songwriter, producer and broadcaster Jon Matthews has unleashed his long-awaited sophomore recording don’t leave. As a lyric of one of its songs laments, it’s been a long time coming.
Originally from Cape Breton, Matthews relocated to P.E.I. in 2002. He has since become a fixture on the Island music scene: performing on his own and with others, manning the controls at his own recording facility (Big Grey Sound Studio), or ‘on the air’ at radio stations K-ROCK 105.5 & OCEAN 100. He regularly lends his vocal and instrumental talents to P.E.I.’s 2006 Group of the Year, The Celtic Ladies (even though he is technically not a lady), and Island fiddle phenom Cynthia MacLeod. But even with so many other musical interests, Matthews considers himself a tunesmith before all. Bridges, a compelling, self-produced collection of sparkling original material, was released to rave reviews in 2000 and led to appearances at prestigious venues like Nova Scotia’s Stan Rogers Folk Festival. Over the years, Matthews has opened for, or performed alongside, such Canadian music luminaries as George Canyon, J.P. Cormier, Dave Gunning and James Keelaghan.
Showing his exponential growth both as an artist and as a producer, Jon Matthews’ new album don’t leave offers up ten crisp new original tracks and a couple of ‘surprises’. The album is melodic and acoustic, packed with real-life emotion and experience, and interwoven with the rock, folk, roots and celtic influences that Matthews has soaked up through his many years of making music. This time around, he once again took on the challenges of playing most of the instruments, as well as arranging and singing most of the harmonies. And whether it’s the strident harmonica and Brian Wilson-worthy harmonies of the album’s title track, the straight-up Rumours rock sound of Helpless, the violin-tinged yearning of Taking Me Away, or the stark and stunning three-part harmonies on the heart-wrenching Bridge, Matthews pulls it off seamlessly and consistently. He shows uncommon creativity and musical vision, and his observational writing style never shies away from weighty subjects, from the atmospheric and haunting Fly, written about an acquaintance contemplating suicide, to Left Behind, an anthem for those who’ve gone “down the road” to lucrative jobs in the oil patch, or the candid relationship analysis found in the infectious Someone Less Like Me.
Contributing his signature sound to two of the tracks on don’t leave is pedal steel whiz Kim Deschamps, a former longtime member of the legendary Canadian band Blue Rodeo. Matthews also got a little help from his friends (and PEI’s up-and-coming pop-rock darlings) The Chucky Danger Band. As their producer, Matthews shared a 2006 East Coast Music Awards nomination with the band for Single of the Year (Sweet Symphony) and their award win for Pop Recording of the Year. Chucky drummer David Cyrus MacDonald and guitarist Colin Buchanan made contributions to several tracks, along with many of Matthews’ musical friends, and even his son Aaron, who added his vocal talents to two songs. Halifax songwriter Rob Wagner penned two tracks for don't leave (December Calling, Leave A Light On) in addition to collaborating with Matthews on Left Behind.
For more than a dozen years, Jon Matthews has been cultivating his fan base onstage in pubs, theatres and festivals all over the country, including national and regional television appearances on CTV's Canada AM and Breakfast Television. don’t leave is a first-rate re-introduction to an emotionally real songwriter whose relentless musicality, breathtaking performances, and dedication to his craft will leave you spellbound and smiling.
“Please…don’t leave.”
Instrumentation
Jon Matthews - vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica. Additional musicians and/or full performing band available for larger shows as required.
Discography
don't leave (second self-produced solo album - released in 2006)
Jug In Hand - Delirium (Jon co-produced, played bass, guitar and sang - released in 2002)
Party of Four - Gently With The Tide (CD single - Jon co-wrote, sang, played guitar/harmonica, co-produced - released in 2001)
Bridges (first self-produced solo album - released in 2000)
Links
| http://www.jonmatthews.net |