Matt Watson
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Matt Watson

Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF

Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada | SELF
Established on Jan, 2014
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"Riches to rags for musician"

Most musicians would like to move to Toronto to make it big in the flourishing music scene. Not Matt Watson. He wanted to leave Toronto. Badly.

He played with a string of bands, not hugely successful, but performing the hard-driving punk and rock that he loves. But he felt caught up in a rat race.

Creative apathy set in.

He and his wife were featured on a reality show on HGTV, Marriage Under Construction, in which the newlyweds would renovate their house and Watson, who learned construction to pay the bills, would work in front of the cameras. On the first day they were supplied with a script for the "reality" show. It seemed to be all about selling products.

"I had a minor breakdown/slash/epiphany," he said.

Everything was conspiring to take him away from his music. Despite doubts from his wife, the couple sold their house, packed their bags and moved to the Sunshine Coast. Here, the songs came pouring out of him. Within six months of their arrival, he had written an entire album. His mojo had returned.

The new, 12-track CD, Riches to Rags, will be released this week on iTunes, inspired by and recorded on the Sunshine Coast.

The couple had visited the Coast before, many times, because Watson had a family connection. His uncle, musician and recording engineer Ray Fulber, and aunt, vocalist Susanne Richter, lived near Gibsons and ran Strait Sound, a recording studio. Whenever Watson visited, he always took time to play songs with Fulber and jam with other musicians such as Tim Hearsey, who gave him an appreciation for the blues. Hearsey plays on this CD, along with local musicians Pat Haavisto on drums and Fulber on bass. Richter sings background vocals. Track 8, Elizabeth, is a song dedicated to her.

It varies from the loud, energetic music of his previous career.

"This is the sweeter side," Watson said. "It has other influences from the blues. I love this album and I can't wait to do the next one."

Many of the songs such as Sick of You still have a gritty edge as if he were still spitting out Toronto. Honey Pot is one of his favourites. It was written in 20 minutes, sitting in Strait Sound's studio. He and his uncle looked at one another and said, "Whoa, we can't ignore this!" It was the start of the album and the start of a self-acceptance as to who he was as a musician.

Since moving here Watson has come to respect many local musicians - Joe Stanton and Simon Paradis, Robotic Horse Mechanical Sun.

"Their new album is pure joy," Watson said. "All kinds of people make music here, and they do it because they have to do it."

Watson has been appearing at local gigs at Boomers in Gibsons and Persephone Brewing's Saturday afternoon sessions. Get a taste of the music at www.watsonrocks.com.

© Coast Reporter - See more at: http://www.coastreporter.net/entertainment/arts-entertainment/riches-to-rags-for-musician-1.996237#sthash.ZWO9YMYr.dpuf - The Coast Reporter


"Interview - Matt Watson"

Matt Watson, a rock musician from Toronto, Canada is about to release his album, “From Riches to Rags” on February 25 and in honour of that, I had the chance to ask him a few questions through an email interview. Also, be sure to keep an eye out on February 25th for my review of his album!

You started out in the music industry in a variety of bands. When did you decide that you wanted to go in the solo artist direction?

MW: I got tired of having to song-write-by-committee…Democracy is great but it doesn’t really work for me when it comes to my songs. I have way too many control issues…

You mentioned in your bio that this album is a fresh start. Over the years what hurdles have you faced in the music industry?

MW: Everything is a hurdle, I’m like an Olympic level hurdler by now and I still have barely got my foot in the door… If you want to be a professional musician you better bring your Nikes

What advice would you give someone who is just starting out on the music scene?

MW: Don’t fuck up your credit… You will need it…trust me

What would you say the main difference between the music from your previous bands and your solo work is?

MW: At this point in my life I don’t feel the need to prove anything to anybody. Whether it’s Rock or Blues or a sweet little pop song, I want to make the music that I like. In bands it’s really easy to get stuck in a genre, it can be very limiting creatively. With this album I just let myself write. I didn’t try to live up to any standard of “coolness” or use my songs as image maintenance. If I wanted to write a blues tune I did, if I was feeling rock then that’s where I went that day. This album is like a collection of moods. Totally freeing.

When reading your bio, it’s clear that one of your musical influences is your uncle, Ray Fulber. Who else has influenced you along the way?

MW: My Aunt Sue is the person who inspired me to get in to music. She quit her job as a lawyer to join a rock band. How much more inspirational can you get? She is the original rock and roll badass… Covering her song “Elizabeth” was my tribute to her.

Your album “From Riches To Rags” is being released on February 25, 2014. Which song is your favourite on the album and why?

MW: “Desert” … I just like the vibe, I imagine it as the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino’s next shootout scene.

Where do you draw inspiration from when songwriting?

MW: I used to just take a lot of drugs…now I drink too

How did you go about choosing the first single off of the album?

MW: No big meetings or anything… I don’t even know if we actually ever thought too much about it… What’s the first single? Why it’s the first song of course…step right up

Can the fans expect a tour in the near future?

MW: Yes…I can’t wait to get this act on the road

Speaking of touring, if given the chance to tour with any Canadian artist or band, who would you choose?

MW: I would like to be the opener on Neil Young’s Honour the Treaties tour …great cause and great weed backstage

Tell us something we would be surprised to know about you?

MW: I answer all e-mail interviews in the buff … much to my wife’s dismay

Speaking of surprises, I read that you were in a reality show with your wife on HGTV called “Marriage Under Construction”. Please tell us about that experience.

MW: It was … enlightening … Amazing they can call it “Reality” Television… It was a long slog that was financially ruinous and almost the end of my marriage…much like this album…

Would you ever consider doing more work in television?

MW: of course… It’s about the only medium that pays these days… I would like a gig like the “Philadelphia Cream Cheese Lady” … Ya know? Show up once a year throw on a stupid costume and collect a big fat cheque… she’s been doing this for like 25 years…She looks pretty fucking content to me…

Since we’re on the subject of television, is there any tv show that you would like to have your music featured on?

MW: I don’t have cable right now so it’s hard to name a current show. I would say it would be a dream to write the theme song for “The Littlest Hobo” but let’s face it… You can’t mess with perfection…

Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so please tell us who your favourite Canadian bands or artists are?

MW: I opened up for a great rock band from Ottawa called “The Balconies” recently… They are carrying the torch man…they kill it.

Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?

MW: Does my mom count as a fan? She says I’m really improving…Thanks mom! - Canadian Beats


"I like this: A journal of musical things"

I Like This: Matt Watson Rocks

Rock boogie that reminds me a little of Cage the Elephant crossed with the Black Crowes. Learn more about Matt (who’s from Toronto) here. Great album cover, too! - Alan Cross


Discography

First solo album "From Riches to Rags" to be released this fall

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Bio

Born in Toronto Matt cut his teeth on the booming power pop/rock scene of the late nineties...After a decade of fronting bands a disillusioned Watson left the business...His return to songwriting came in the form of his first solo effort "From Riches To Rags" a raw, bluesy rock album available now on iTunes...Matt is in the process of writing songs for a follow up to last years release.

Band Members