Finely-wrought acoustic-based songs from an Canadian east coast singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Melodic music packed with real-life emotion and introspection, as well as a dose of folk, roots and celtic influence.

12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Acoustic, ROCK: Folk Rock



Details:
The old saying goes: "a change is as good as a rest."

Jon Matthews, a Cape Breton-born singer, songwriter, broadcaster and producer, made a life-altering change in 2002: he bid farewell to his home province of Nova Scotia and made a new home in Prince Edward Island. Since that time, he has steadily become a fixture on the Island arts scene, whether on the radio at K-ROCK 105.5FM, as a musical performer, or behind the scenes in his recording studio.

While he has always enjoyed being onstage, Jon considers himself a tunesmith first and foremost. His passion for songwriting led him to release an album of all original material, "Bridges", in 2000. His unique brand of introspective contemporary folk/rock tunes brought him accolades, as well as opportunities to perform at prestigious venues like the Stan Rogers Folk Festival. Since that time, he has been stockpiling new songs, in anticipation of making a follow-up album.

Jon took a big step in that direction in 2004, with the creation of BIG GREY SOUND STUDIO: a digital multitrack recording facility based in Charlottetown. The idea of assembling a studio was initially to facilitate his own recording needs, but soon Jon found himself in demand, producing and engineering recordings for other artists. He has worked extensively with the Chucky Danger Band, an emerging PEI pop-rock group whose single "Sweet Symphony" (produced and engineered by Jon) reached #1 on the East Coast Countdown radio show and was nominated for 2006 ECMA Single of the Year. Chucky Danger picked up an ECMA for Pop Recording of the Year for their EP âSix Packâ, which was partially recorded win Jon.

As a working musician, Jon has been catching ears for over twelve years, both as a solo artist and with groups. In addition to his powerful signature vocal ability, he is also a multi-instrumentalist, equally comfortable playing guitar or bass, as well as harmonica or even drums and percussion. As a member of Celtic rock group Jug In Hand, Jon thrilled audiences in pubs, theatres and festivals across the country, including national television audiences on CTV's Canada AM. These days, Jon enjoys a healthy musical variety: solo shows, band gigs with his backup group The Electric Lobsters, playing drums with islanders Boys in the Kitchen, as well as non-stop "sideman" gigs with other well-known Island entertainers like Cynthia MacLeod and The Celtic Ladies.

Jon has released his long-awaited album of new original material, âdonât leaveâ in Fall 2006. He continues to be busy onstage, on-the-air, as well as behind the studio console. Jon Matthews is someone who can never be accused of standing still. For him, life is always changing - and he wouldn't have it any other way.