Matt Andersen is ready for his close-up. With a bold new album and a massive tour underway, there is talk that the East Coast musician is poised for a serious breakthrough. But, the gentle giant with the voice of an angel is modest as always.
“I don’t think about it too much,” he says. “It’s easy to get caught up in it, and it can steer you in the wrong direction. Whatever happens, happens.”
Andersen’s new album, Weightless, was released on Feb. 4, and he checks into Massey Hall for his first time headlining the venerable, old theatre on March 1.
“There’s a lot of prestige involved just with the history of the venue, and it’s a big space, too,” says Andersen. “It’s the pinnacle, really, for Canadian touring acts. I’m very fortunate. The first time I played in Toronto was at Yonge-Dundas Square with people wandering around eating hot dogs for lunch.”
The new album is a departure of sorts for Andersen, as it includes a large number of co-writes with such artists as fellow East Coast musician Joel Plaskett and Hamilton native Tom Wilson (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Lee Harvey Osmond).
“The whole album was co-writes,” Andersen explains. “I worked with six different people, and it was really cool to do that. They’re all really good friends. It helped keep variety on the album. There’s a lot of different flavours on there.”
Although Andersen’s guitar virtuosity is nothing short of stunning, the songs and his fine voice are front and centre on Weightless. But, in concert, that’s where the guitar magic happens.
Although his musical career officially got underway in 2000, he says he knew he’d made it when people “started paying money to see me play.”
“Really, when you start playing bigger rooms instead of small clubs for chicken wings and beer, when you see that progression, it’s really cool and the best indication you’re doing something right.” But no matter the venue, touring is something Andersen does a lot. To the tune of close to 85 dates by this June alone. He’s literally on the road for most of the year booking more than a hundred shows by year’s end. And, it doesn’t sound like he’d want it any other way.
Andersen grew up in a musical family in the blue-collar town of Perth-Andover, N.B. “I grew up in a really musical family, ya, mostly fiddle music and gospel stuff,” says Andersen.
“My brothers had all kinds of stuff in their collections, CCR. My mom and dad liked old country, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson. Other than that, I just fell into it. My grandfather played, my mother played, and it was a big part of growing up. It wasn’t thought of as a living, just something we did.”
Matt Andersen plays Massey Hall on March 1. For more information, go to www.masseyhall.com.
