August 28th, 2010
The Songwriters Association of Canada interviewed me about the video for “Pictures on the Wall”, since it is the featured video on their website www.songwriters.ca. If you’d like to read the interview in blog form, click here.
August 4th, 2010
Since I released my second album Bottom of the World in November 2008, I’ve played hundreds of shows all over North America and Europe in all sorts of venues ranging from large theatres to tiny clubs, inlcuding one in the back of an old truck in Hamburg. I’ve written scores of new songs for my third album, set to be recorded this coming fall/winter and released next year. So as I prepare for this new album, I’d like to try an experiment. And I need your help.
All my touring experience has taught me that my favourite way to perform is at house concerts, so I’d like to book and play a series of house concerts at which I perform a selection of new songs to road-test them before a live audience and figure out which ones will make the cut for the next album.
If you’re unfamiliar with house concerts, they are intimate acoustic performances held in people’s living rooms. The audience can range from 15-50 and is composed largely of friends and neighbours of the hosts, as well as fans of the performer. Admission is usually $10-20. With most house concerts having two 40 minute sets and an intermission, these are genuine concerts in a comfortable setting with the artist up close and personal. There are often light snacks and refreshments served, and the night is a mix of socializing and a bona fide ‘listening’ concert.
If you’ve ever hosted or attended one, you know how enjoyable and interactive they can be for the audience and performer.
If you’re interested, you can download this easy guide for free and watch this short video that people use to promote these great events to their friends.
I’d love to play for you and your friends and have you help determine which songs will be on the next album. So please email me at matthew@matthewdezoete.com if you’d like to arrange a date or if you have any questions. I’d like to conduct this experiment from September through March, but I’d be happy to play any date that works for you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your interest in my music - people like you make independent music possible.
August 1st, 2010
Here’s some news from the ‘impending fame and fortune’ column: the video for my song ‘Pictures on the Wall’ is now the featured video on the website of the Songwriters Association of Canada. Not quite seeing my smiling face on the cover of the Rolling Stone, but it’s a good step in the right direction. So, thanks to the folks at SAC. If you’d like to check it out, you can visit their website at www.songwriters.ca
July 30th, 2010
Being a hard-working musical businessman, I’ll be foregoing the Civic Holiday this coming Monday and sweating for my pay. Or at least working as hard as a musician can.
I’ll be playing a full band set at 12 noon on Monday August 2 at The Simcoe Rotary Friendship Festival. This is a free festival held in Wellington Park, at the corner of Norfolk St and Bonnie Dr., and there will be great music and general fun times all weekend.
For more information and the full musical line up, check out www.simcoerotaryfriendshipfestival.com
So please enjoy the leisure time provided by our generous government and check out the festival any time from July 31 to August 2.
July 23rd, 2010
Well, my beloved Orange weren’t able to go all the way in the World Cup, but at least it was an exciting run. And I suppose there are things in life other than soccer - like music.
I’m busy working on new material for my next album. The plan is to record it over this coming winter and release it next spring. I’m quite excited about the new songs and the recording process. I’ll have some more details about where and with whom I’ll be recording in the near future.
In the meantime, I’m playing a full band show in Toronto this Saturday night at The TRANZAC (292 Brunswick Ave). I’ll also have the band with me at The Simcoe Rotary Friendship Festival (12 noon on Monday August 2. I’ll be playing all over Ontario throughout the rest of August, so you can check CONCERTS for the details of these and other upcoming shows.
July 8th, 2010
The live performance of ‘Remembrance Day’ that I recorded for Hero to Hero is now up on YouTube. To watch it, click here.
