Morgan MacDonald
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Morgan MacDonald

Bridgewater, Canada | SELF

Bridgewater, Canada | SELF
Band Rock Singer/Songwriter

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"Going back to the wilderness never sounded so good."

Morgan MacDonald is a world-traveling teacher hailing from Chester, NS. He’s also an incredibly talented folk musician who has just released his first EP, Back to the Wilderness. Looking a bit like a young Buck 65 (something in the water?), his sound couldn’t be more different. MacDonald’s acoustic driven, lyrically profound EP builds more on the East Coast’s folk/country vibe rather than Nova Scotia’s more modern hip hop or punk inclinations.

The first track, from which the EP takes its name, is a rolling, energetic opening number. The mid-section of the song really showcases MacDonald’s skill as a guitarist—the unassuming solo is melodic and powerful. The instrumental side of the track contrasts with the lyrics of “Back to the Wilderness”, which sees MacDonald dwelling on death. The juxtaposition manages to express grief but focuses on the celebration of life.

“Blood Will Rust”, the second track, feels much more country. MacDonald drops his voice, and even gives the impression of a twang as he picks his guitar. Lyrically the song is again stunning, taking on the storytelling vibe of country music and asking some serious questions about modern life.

“The Fences” looks back to a more innocent childhood, and the ways in which the world has changed and become more guarded. Musically the song is much softer—MacDonald takes the emphasis away from the guitar and focuses on the ballad instead. “More Than Just the Stars” begins with a craving to leave—first the small town and then the big, indifferent city—almost as a response to “The Fences” and the youthful need to leave and travel. While “The Fences” has ruled out ever being able to go home, “More Than Just the Stars” chronicles the onset of longing to be able to.

Instrumentally, MacDonald’s work is absolutely exquisite. A couple of extra listens reveal the depths of his lyrics, and with this debut EP, MacDonald gives every indication that great things are yet to come from him. - Gray Owl Point


"Morgan MacDonald - Back to the Wilderness"

I’m glad Morgan took the time to get in touch with us, because he has a great, 4-song debut EP on his hands (entitled Back to the Wilderness), and I’m happy to help spread the word about it.

Recorded in Toronto with Paul Aucoin (The Hylozoists) and in Riverport, NS with Diego Medina at the Confidence Lodge, Back to the Wilderness is a roots-rock affair with more heart and/or ooomph than a lot of the releases we tend to get from that rather crowded genre. That could be because Morgan is clearly writing songs about subject matter that really means something to him, be it a lament for his lost childhood home & innocence, a yearning to escape city life, or expressing his gratitude and admiration for his father. It could also be that he had plenty of talented musicians helping on on the record (Kris Pope, Ben Ross, Ron J Hynes, Sasha Muise), giving it a deeper and more varied sound then a lot of the singer-songwriter albums we recieve.

Whatever the reason, this EP is an enjoyable listen, revealing MacDonald to be an engaging, down to earth songwriter who also knows his way around a catchy melody. It’s a promising debut that’ll have me keeping my eyes & ears open for more material from this humble Haligonian, and I suggest you do the same. - Hero Hill


"# 103. Morgan MacDonald: Back To The Wilderness EP"

``... Be one of the first to hear these incredible songs before they’re all over CBC Radio and he’s playing all over the country. Be one of those music fans who can later say, “I heard of Morgan MacDonald when he was giving his music away.” These songs are amazing.``

- Steve Haley (of the Banded Stillts) 365daysofalbums


"Loving Morgan MacDonald"

"Loving (Morgan MacDonald) at Rudders!"
posted on heavily subscribed blog and twitter feed with pics and web link - Benji Rodgers, Pledge Music UK


"Two voices, two guitars and a world of stories Songwriters enchant at In the Dead of Winter show"

…..Halifax’s MacDonald told more literal stories, using his slide guitar to match the endearing twang in his voice. His songs spoke of a simpler time. Sometimes, they belied a sober undertone; he sang about people going to the country to find peace in their surroundings, but then warned that the city and its bureaucrats are encroaching on that tranquil way of life. Back to the Wilderness, about his grandmother’s passing, was heartbreakingly beautiful in its purity and highlighted MacDonald’s incredible talent as a lyricist. "Her final words, oh I heard hers," the chorus went, which, poetically, were the song’s title. "She passed out of that hospital gown, to the air, to the water and to the ground." - The Chronicle Herald


Discography

Back to the Wilderness (May 26, 2012)

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Bio

Morgan MacDonald is a songwriter from Nova Scotia. This past year he released and toured Back to the Wilderness, an EP produced by Paul Aucoin at Diego Medina's Confidence Lodge. Aucoin has worked with many of Canada's top artists including John K Samson (The Weakerthans), Hyden, Cuff The Duke, The Sadies.

Morgan finished his coast to coast EP release tour with showcases at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and Nova Scotia Music Week, where he was nominated for Folk Recording of the Year. Collaborations with Jason Collett of Broken Social Scene have resulted in a number of new songs that will be included in Morgan's upcoming debut album.

"...he has a great, 4-song debut EP on his hands ...an enjoyable listen, revealing MacDonald to be an engaging, down to earth songwriter who also knows his way around a catchy melody.?"
- Hero Hill (Polaris Prize and Juno Award jurors)

" Instrumentally, MacDonalds work is absolutely exquisite. A couple of extra listens reveal the depths of his lyrics, and with this debut EP, MacDonald gives every indication that great things are yet to come from him.?"
- Grayowl Point

www.morganmacdonald.ca