Mattie Leon
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2015
Music
Press
Artists: Mattie Leon, Owen Meany’s Batting Stance
Genre: Singer/Songwriter, Folk
Venue: The Cameron House, Toronto
When: December 30th, 2016
Toronto based singer/songwriter Mattie Leon warmed our hearts and packed the Cameron House to bring fans a set full of original, uplifting tunes that could make you forget about the chilly winter outside.
Opening the show was acoustic act Owen Meany’s Batting Stance. Armed with witty lyrics and punchy melodies, Owen Meany’s Batting Stance kept the crowd engaged and excited, and even brought Mattie Leon on stage to play piano during the set. Mattie Leon closed the show with a bang and brought his blend of soulful R&B and catchy pop hooks to the stage. Canadian Beats has all the photos from the exciting evening! - Canadian Beats
CBC Searchlight 2016 - 5 More Standouts from Searchlight 2016 April -
reviewed by Eleni Armenakisa
Despite persistent rumours that the temperature is supposed to skyrocket again this week, fall is looming pretty heavily at the moment. Cue Mattie Leon’s well-timed Terrace EP as the upcoming season’s complimentary gem. The lead singer of Toronto bands The Shakedown and The Sweet Mack is setting off on a solo career with an album recorded throughout last fall and winter—which might explain why it feels so perfect for this week’s chilly weather.
Unlike Leon’s previous poppy forays, Terrace opts for a more melancholic and uncertain note. The dangling fear that comes with title “Until Your Love Runs Out” is matched only by the fading, repeated closer “nothing’s for sure/but you can be sure, my love.” It’s a push and pull of limited confidence—summer’s optimism getting swept up by winter’s gloom.
Leon’s kept his hint of a falsetto, but paired with his newfound stripped approach there’s a smoother quality to it now. “Just You” taps early John Mayer—one of Leon’s influences—and takes a bit of romance from then too. Other times there’s a faint twang as Leon drops an octave and dishes out a country-esque indie pop ballad or sweet and slow closer “Precious Anymore.”
And while he’s already done quite a bit of exploring with his previous bands—charting all kinds of pop and punk—Terrace makes up one of his most versatile collections. The jazzy touches on “Alright Again” spark just when it seems like Leon’s establishing a new groove, adding another layer to his surprising turn towards a more melodic collection of instruments.
It’s the ideal rhythm to begin slowing things down for the year—with just enough punch to celebrate what slightly cooler temperatures mean compared to the past month’s swelter. The undaunted, realist optimism from Terrace’s opening track captures the Canadian approach to autumn perfectly, setting us up for a smooth transition into winter.
Top Track: “Until Your Love Runs Out”
Rating: Proud Hoot (Really Good) - Grayowl Point
Current Sessions Productions, based out of Toronto and Montreal, have been promoting both local artists and various Canadian locations through intimate, unplugged video performances. This week, we are thrilled to premiere their latest session; that of Toronto singer-songwriter Mattie Leon.
Last fall, Current Sessions met with the soul-R&B artist in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood as he performed “Until You Love Runs Out” from his debut solo EP Terrace. The heartbreaking track, coupled with his flawless piano playing and chilling raindrops made for a perfect video-worthy performance.
Make sure not to miss Mattie Leon during Canadian Music Week in Toronto this May. Date and time TBA.
Mattie’s debut EP is available for purchase here. -
Discography
Annalyne/A Hundred Times/Alabama Single - November 2016
So Much More With Me/Holloway Single - May 2016
Terrace - July 2015
Photos
Bio
Hailing from Toronto, Mattie Leon is a singer/songwriter whose music
strikes a beautiful balance between R&B, Folk and Pop. 2015 saw
the release of his debut EP, 'TERRACE', and in
the months that followed supporting the record he showcased at Canadian
Music Week, premiered a Current Sessions Video on Confront Magazine,
and became a Regional Finalist for CBC's Searchlight Competition where
his song 'JUST YOU' received radio plays on CBC Radio 1. In the spring of 2016 Mattie followed up 'TERRACE' with a double A-side single entitled 'SO MUCH MORE WITH ME / HOLLOWAY'
which was a brighter, more acoustic offering that pulsed with the
rhythm of the spring. Supporting the release with dates around southern
Ontario, Ottawa and Montreal his summer was highlighted by a
feature set at Nathan Phillips Square for the City of Toronto's 'Live
From City Hall' series and a capacity release show at The Cameron House
in Toronto.
On the heels of a great summer Mattie decided to
head back into the studio to lay down a few new song ideas that were cut
from the same cloth as his spring time release. Those songs came
together as 'ANNALYNE / A HUNDRED TIMES / ALABAMA' and on November 14th they were released as a companion piece to the 'SO MUCH MORE WITH ME / HOLLOWAY' single. 'ANNALYNE / A HUNDRED TIMES / ALABAMA'
is a three song set embellished with three-part harmonies, acoustic
guitars, rollicking pianos and laid back rhythms that bring to mind the
music birthed in Woodstock by The Band in 1968. His is a style that is
a perfect fit for those into Ryan Adams, John Mayer, Paul Simon or early
70's solo albums by Lennon and McCartney.
A true multi
instrumentalist, Mattie began writing songs and gigging as a solo
performer at 18. Predominantly writing on acoustic guitar he crafted
intricate songs that soon needed to be filled out by a full band. By 20
he had formed that band, The Sweet Mack, with his friends and brother.
The Rock/Pop outfit had success on the regional and provincial level as
they played some of the best rooms in Toronto and released a full length
album, First Cut, along with multiple singles. Following The Sweet
Mack, Mattie formed The Shakedown and focused his attention on recording
the band's music himself, a skill that now defines his writing process.
The Shakedown released a full length album, Violet Sun, an EP, Electric
Eclectic, and numerous online videos and covers. Taking the skills that
can only be borne from hours of shows and rehearsals with The Sweet
Mack and adding with that the hours of editing and production spent on
The Shakedown material, Mattie has amalgamated the two in his solo
career and plans on continuing his production of great music and
coupling that with a great live show for years to come.
Mattie is currently promoting the release 'ANNALYNE / A HUNDRED TIMES / ALABAMA'.
Band Members
Links
