Mattmusic.ca has moved!!

Please check out new website here:

www.mattmusic.ca

The CD is out Now!!

We are very proud to announce that Matt's CD is now available! "Songs for Kids Age 1 to 101" is a 20-song all-original album with special guests such as Heather Kelday, Andy and Ariana, Jim Tranquilla of iTromboni, Laura McFarlane Tranquilla, Ananda Kavanagh, children singers and more! It's fun music ranging from folk to rock 'n' roll for the whole family. Matt's album was recorded by Carey Langille at Ocean Sound Productions in Coldbrook, NS, and was released in November 2014.

Learn how to put a song on itunes at ReverbNation.com

AUTOGRAPHED CD's: When ordering autographed CD's, you may enter the child name(s) to be written by Matt. Please indicate the name(s) in the box provided before confirming your order.

BUY THE CD NOW!

Select CD Type:

Reg. CD $15.95 CAD Autographed CD $17.95 CAD

CD STORE LOCATIONS

NEW MINAS, NS

Go As You Grow

8927 Commercial St.

COLDBROOK, NS

Baby Central Consignment

7106 Hwy #1

FREDERICTON, NB

Westminster Books
445 King St.

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THE SONGS:

1. Hotdogs and Cookies
2. Garbage Day
3. Fat Cat
4. Twinkle Twinkle Black Sheep
5. Pat the Platypus
6. It's Fun to Read
7. Let's Go to the Beach!
8. The Pirates From Yarmouth
9. Firefly
10. Canada
11. Monkeys!
12. Kyle
13. Pete Likes to Eat Pizza
14. Teeny Tiny Turtle
15. Squirmy Worm
16. The Solar System
17. Hockey
18. I Make Music
19. Try
20. Time to Sleep

CD Release Party!

The CD is finally done! Come and celebrate with Matt!

Where: Louis Millett Centre, 949 Commercial St., New Minas, NS
When: Sunday, November 23rd at 3:00

FREE Admission
FREE Cake!
CD's: $15
Colouring Books: $5

Album Fundraiser

Matt is raising funds to finish his album! So, If you'd like to order a CD, you can do it now! There are more rewards to contributors than just CD's too. Please click "Contribute" below to check out all the details!


The Fundraising video:

Garbage Day!

Finally! The first Children's song has been completed! Listen to the first single, "Garbage Day" from the upcoming album now!

Sell your beats online at ReverbNation.com

Matt The Music Man

This is my new stage name for children's music! I will gradually be changing my site over the next few months to accommodate my new musical venture.

Here is a taste of what I've been working on. The video has clips of 6 different songs. It was great to get out and play for these children.

From Rock Star to Children's Music Performer

When I was a teenager, all I wanted to do was be a rock star. Eventually I learned to play the electric guitar and learned to write songs. When I hit my 20's I formed a few bands and had a blast. Eventually, reality hit and the and lifestyle that I wanted did not match up with that of a rock star's. When I hit my 30's I turned to the acoustic guitar and went solo. I made a solo acoustic-rock album. A few years later, some the stuff I began writing more and more of wasn't actually "rock" at all. It was more like "folk" I suppose. I guess you could say I matured. ...I'm using that term loosely here!

Now, this evolution has continued and has taken me into new territory. When I was younger, never in a million years I thought I would do this with my music, however, the big news is, I am recording a Children's Album.

It all started when I wrote a song for my new baby boy. I played it for some other children who thought it was hilarious, which made me want to write more songs and play for more children, so I did. ...A few months and 20 songs later I am gung-ho to make a record and do shows for kids. Like they say, kids DO change you.

So, scratch that idea for my new "adult" album for now. Some day I will make the rock album of my teenhood dreams but I'm doing this one first, for the kids, and it's going to be a lot of fun. Actually I don't think I've ever had so much fun songwriting.

I will begin recording soon. Stay tuned!

Cheers,

Matt

Album #2 in the planning stages.

I've decided to record again! I have a bunch of new songs written and I'm in the process of refining them. I had so much fun recording my first album, "Bare Bones", however, this next one going to be something very different. My goal is to harness the talent of some incredible musicians in the beautiful Annapolis Valley where I live. The goal is to create something with a variety of instruments and song styles. In other words, quite the opposite of "Bare Bones!"

Some new Songs I've written are: "The Earth Still Spins", which is a mellow little one about keeping your chin up in the worst of times. There is also "Things I Want To Take Back," which is a tune about my youth, and a rocker; "What Would I Do Without Rock 'n' Roll". - This one is pretty fun with a cool lyrical hook. There are also a few old songs that I've had for a long time that I may include - "Mind Over Matter" and "Seconds a Minute long" - two more rockers.

Another decision I have to make is if I will re-record a few of the best songs from my first album. I might. I like how they are recorded but It would also be great to give them some more life by recording them with a band. Everything is in the planning stages and It will be a while before I actually start recording, but I'm excited about the possibilities and the creative juices are flowing.

...In Other news. THIS is what I've been doing lately; Entertaining my new little boy. He's awesome. I wrote some kid's songs too!

Video: The Earth Still Spins

Hi All! This is a performance from February 2012 at the Night Kitchen. The Night Kitchen is an awesome show that happens once a month at the Al Whittle Theatre in Wolfville NS. There are usually around 15 different acts, with each act usually performing just one song. Some new friends of mine, Andy & Ariana are the ones who put it all together. They always do an awesome job!

This is another new song, "The Earth Still Spins."

Video: Never Enough

This is my first performance at the "Night Kitchen" in Wolfville from October 2011. It's a new song called "Never Enough." Hope you like!

iTunes & other news

After living in New Brunswick for my whole life, I have moved to Nova Scotia. I now live in the Annapolis Valley, about an hours drive from Halifax. I was sad to leave my home in Fredericton but I'm excited to be settled in a new community. The Valley is beautiful; All the fields and apple blossoms, all the little towns and music venues... I look forward to my new life in Nova Scotia and my new musical endeavours here.

I also want to inform people that my album, Bare Bones, is now available for download on itunes for $9.99! Check it out here. Please feel free to Rate the album, or write a short review. To do this, view it in iTunes.

If you would rather order a physical copy of the CD with the awesome 8-Page booklet full of photos, lyrics and notes, you can purchase it from CDBaby.com or directly from me by emailing me at contact@mattmusic.ca.

Back at it

Well, it's been a while! I've been doing lots of songwriting over the last two weeks. I sat down with my wife and played her all kinds of songs I had written over the years that she had never heard before. Her constructive criticisms were a huge help. I mean I'm not saying that my songs are garbage, I'm saying that her advice is really helping to make my songs better and It's great to bounce my ideas off her. I have a few new songs finished and am re-working a whole bunch of old songs that I wrote in my early 20's. I'm pretty excited about them. Oh, man it's great to be back at it!

I'm playing tomorrow night at Wilser's Room. New songs will be played. See you soon!

Summer Update

If you still haven't gotten your hands on my album, Bare Bones, it's not too late. The Summer is no better time for some acoustic rock in your ears! Email me at contact@mattmusic.ca and I'll hook you up. 10 bucks is all it takes! You can also order it online at CDBaby.com or swing by Backstreet records to snag a copy there.

Lots of other stuff is going on for me. It's been a busy summer. I'm ending one phase of my life, and moving on to another…Getting married in one week! Music has sort of been on the back burner for the past few months because of planning and such. I'm looking forward to getting back into it soon. Sales of my album have been fairly successful. It has been out for 8 months already, yet in many ways it still feels like yesterday. I'm having thoughts of a second one, however, it will be something entirely different than Bare Bones.

My site has changed a little. If you notice there are some links across the top with some additional info.

Cheers,

Matt

Song Description #9 - Bittersweet Goodbyes

I get more feedback from this song than any other song I have ever written. I think it's because it attacks a subject that is so familiar to many of us, and is often avoided in conversation. It's not really something people usually talk about openly because it's probably the most hurtful thing anyone can go through. Everyone can relate to it because almost every one of us have encountered divorce somewhere in their lives.

What can I say about this song? I love playing it because it's ultimate release. I played it about 100 times before I actually got up and played it live. 

In a marriage, some people say that each person should give an equal 50% so they can meet each other half way. Well that's total crap. If you're only going to give 50% you'd might as well forget it. Both must give 110%. ...Seek advice, give more than you take, give in the right ways, and don't ever stop.

- Matt

Song Description #8 - Nostalgic Time Machine

In "One Lane Highway" I sing about how you can't turn back time but what if you could? What if you could go back to any point in your life? What would you learn and what would you change?

We constantly take these trips in our minds. They are a big part of what makes us who we are. Sometimes we take trips to memories so we can somehow re-live the experiences. Or maybe we do it just to simply re-evaluate situations. The only real Time Machines are the ones in our minds. Most of the mileage put on my Time Machine are from trips to those nostalgic memories.

Song Description #7 - One Lane Highway

This song is the introduction to "Bare Bones." I chose it as the first one because it encompasses a broad meaning of all the songs that follow.

Time is like a highway, and we are the traffic that ride it. You can't stop it or disrupt time. The choices you made are done. You can make new choices, but you can't undo the past. Life's hard on the highway. What we need to do is accept our mistakes and learn from them. Time only goes in one direction and at one speed in the life you choose. The only other type of time travel is what we create in our minds. ...but that's another song.

Spring Update

So I won Second Place in the Singer/Songwriter Competition! I got to meet lots of great musicians and many other people and I was able to share my music with all of them. It was an incredible experience.

New songs are in the works. I have a whole bunch half-written so I imagine one of these days in the near future I'll be playing some brand new stuff.

I've got a few shows lined up. One in Fredericton, one in Florenceville. ...More to come!

That's it for now. I'm glad summer is on the way. It's going to be a great one.

Molson Canadian Singer/Songwriter Competition

This contest has been going on for a few weeks at Mama's Pub in Fredericton. It's down to the top 6 performers and I have been selected as one of these top 6! I'll be playing for a spot in the top 3 this Thursday (Feb. 25th). The top 3 will perform Thursday (March 11th) and a winner will be declared. The winner gets a new guitar and some cash. I've got my fingers crossed and am going to give it my all. Whether I win or not, I'm having a great time in this competition.

@ Mama's Pub, Feb. 18th

A New Year, A New Song

Happy New year. ...Even if I'm 25 days late! What can I say? I've been busy. I made some more music videos. These ones were a little more successful than the last batch.

This first video is actually the first recording of my new song, "Happy." I hope you like it. More videos will be posted to my Youtube page over the next few weeks.

Matt

Song Description #6 - What's Left Unsaid

I went through a period of almost five years without writing any mellow songs until I wrote this one. It opened up a different style of songwriting for me. The guitar is pretty simplistic, which is something I usually avoid, but I thought it was appropriate here.

Sometimes we simply don't say what we mean, or we just say nothing at all to avoid awkwardness. It's a very short song because I said what I had to say with just a few words. The rest of them I keep unsaid.

Album Review!

Bare Bones 'is a fascinating and unique musical offering'

Published Saturday November 21st, 2009

Wilfred Langmaid

"Frederictonian Matt McFarlane had the fire of music light within him in the 1990s. The spark was rock, grunge, and alternative music of that decade.

This spark is the antecedent of a very raw, aggressive way of acoustic guitar playing, singing, and song construction.

That fascinating combination - heavy '90s rock at the core of solo acoustic singer/songwriter craft - makes McFarlane's entirely self-written, self-recorded, self-mixed, and self-produced album Bare Bones a fascinating and unique musical offering.

The fusion works for a few reasons. Most importantly, McFarlane is at the core a decent songwriter. The 11 tracks that make up the so-aptly-named Bare Bones are diverse; their power has the dual weaponry of good lyric writing and a furious delivery on vocals and guitar.

The whole thing is a stirring one-person offering of the roots of man's musical soul, delivered by a hitherto-unknown local musician who has the skills to make a unique offering work well."

Fredericton-based freelance writer Wilfred Langmaid has reviewed albums in The Daily Gleaner since 1981, and is a past judge for both the Junos and the East Coast Music Awards. His column appears each Saturday.

Source: http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/liveit/article/864755

Song Description #5 - Glorify

It's really a shame how money runs the world. ...And propaganda. Just because you read it or see it on TV, it doesn't make it right. And just because the government does it and tells you it's okay, it still doesn't make it right. Of course I'm sure you already knew that. I'm not the most politically aware person in the world, but I know the difference between right and wrong, and manipulation is wrong. If we all took the dollar signs out of our eyes, we'd see a lot more truths right in front of us. The sad thing is, we have to see the dollar signs in order to survive. So what to do? Find a middle ground I suppose.

If you haven't seen Michael Moore's newest film, "Capatalism: A Love Story," watch it. I wrote this song years before that movie came out, but the movie is exactly what this song is about. It's about greedy capitalistic bastards glorifying themselves with no real care for the lower class.

I write a lot of songs in "Drop D." For the non-guitarists, it's where you tune the lowest string of the guitar from the standard "E" down to a "D." It gives the guitar a little more range and a little more "kick." I play about half of the songs on "Bare Bones" in "Drop D," but this song was the first one where I fell in love with the tuning.

Youtube

So I now have a link on my site to my Youtube page where you can find some videos. There you will find a few videos from my CD Release Party. Unfortunately there were some lovely ladies directly beside the digital camera that was recording me most of the time, so needless to say the sound quality of the music is lacking. I put up a few clips anyway. If nothing else, they still look kind of cool and I learned how to use the new "iMovie!"

CD Release Party!

Who? Matt McFarlane. That's me.
What? You know, a release party, for a CD! It's called Bare Bones.
When? October 23rd, 2009 at 9:00. It's a friday!
Where? Boom! Nightclub
Why? Isn't it already released? Yes, but I never really celebrated. ...Neither did you, so it's time!
How? Well, you show up, have some drinks, mingle... and I'll perform the album live, from start to finish, along with a few extra surprises.

Can't wait!

Matt

Song Description #4 - Tea With The Devil

It was cold in my apartment, so I boiled some water for tea. In a few minutes, the steam from the kettle seemed to fill the room. The room had filled up with condensation so fast that it scared me. I looked around the room to see what was the cause. Suddenly, the steam and condensation had vanished, and there he was sitting at the kitchen table: a long, dark figure in a trench coat. With a face of blackness, he peered from underneath the wide brim of his black hat. I had no doubt it was the Devil.

"What are you doing here?" I asked

"You have questions for me." He replied, without visibly moving an inch. His voice paralyzed me with chills.

"Questions?" I asked, not able to say more.

"Yes."

I didn't know what else to say to him. I wasn't sure what questions the Devil was talking about. I had questions? For the Devil? Questions? "Cup of tea?" I asked.

"If you insist," said the Devil.

"Sugar?" I offered. "Milk?"

"Arsenic," Replied the Devil.

"Sorry?"

"Arsenic. I'd like to have Arsenic with my tea, please," said the Devil, showing just a hint of impatience. I started stumbling over my words. Did he want me to poison him? Was this some sort of trick?

"Um... fresh out of Arsenic... b-besides, isn't it poisonous?"

"Not to me. To my palette it's pleasantly sour and sweet. I have it with almost everything I eat," the Devil chuckled.

"Well," I said, laughing from my nerves, "I suppose you are the Devil."

"Indeed," he grumbled. "Black then." I poured his tea and passed it to him, sitting down with my own cup. He sipped the tea into his black void of a face and sighed with satisfaction. "Now, ask me what you've been wanting to ask me, so we can get this over with."

I still didn’t know what to ask. I just wanted him to leave, so I decided not to dance around the issue and cut right to the chase. The words just left my lips; "So why are you… such... a jerk anyway?" I asked him. I surprised myself with my bluntness. It wasn’t really the question I meant to ask.

"I'm not a jerk," he said, keeping surprisingly calm. "Being evil is my job. I have no choice."

"Well why don't you quit?" I asked him, even though I knew it was a probably a stupid question.

The Devil let out a chuckle and rolled his red eyes. "Because it's simply what I do," he said. "Pain and suffering is what I love.”

"So you love things?" I asked.

"For me, hate is my love," he exclaimed.

I swallowed hard. "That makes no sense to me. You know you're pretty m-messed up," I said.

"Thanks, he said with that evil smile again. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"Sure..." I responded, not knowing what else to say. I took a sip of my tea. My hands were shaking. I’m sure the Devil could tell that I was extremely nervous and I just couldn’t seem to find the words I ultimately wanted to ask him. I adjusted my chair and asked the next question that popped into my head, hoping that it was the right one; "Why do you always mess with people's minds?"

"Look, if I wasn't around," he sipped his tea, "everything would be beautiful and wonderful all the time, and eventually you'd begin to lose perspective between good and evil things." he explained. "Without evil, basically there would be no good either. Everything would be neutral and boring."

"I see," I said. "I suppose I can understand that.” Perhaps he was simply humoring me by justifying his actions in this manner but I felt it was a sufficient answer.

"Plus I simply just love to hate," he added with a sinister smirk. His glare made my heart sink to the bottom of my stomach. I felt like I was going to be sick.

"That's an oxymoron," I said.

"Not really. I'm the Devil!" he laughed. His laugh was freaky.

Just then, I was startled by the whistle on my kettle suddenly going off and steam filled the room just like before. Then the room cleared. My heart was pounding but he was gone. Thank God. Man, what a jerk, just showing up all uninvited like that. Ah well. At least the tea was good!

Matt

Song Description #3 - Amnesiac

When life looks grim, do you cry, or do you just have to laugh? Sometimes all we can do is laugh in order to cope. After all, laughter IS the best medicine like they say. We can either be ignorant and not care about things, or we can do the opposite and worry until the cows come home. Either way, we play these games in our minds and try to find a balance.

Is ignorance really bliss? Would you rather be completely oblivious or deal with reality? I'd pick the latter. Overall, I believe it's easier to deal with things head on rather than run from them. Yeah, life's hard sometimes but we have to just suck it up and deal with it. I don't think we should take our lives for granted even when it throws you a curve ball and smacks you right in the face.

I reference the Beatles song, "A Day In The Life," in this one. It's quite possibly my favorite song by them. The Beatles have been a huge inspiration for me over the past 20 years.