Matt Zaddy Newsletter

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“Man, this album is packed with easy-on-the-ears, hook-filled tunes. A rare talent, indeed!”

Mark Rheaume – CBC Music

With a sound that seamlessly blends folk-rock and modern soul, there’s something for every music fan to love about Toronto singer/songwriter Matt Zaddy. But what’s immediately apparent on his new album Be, OUT NOW on all platforms, is a sophistication that dramatically builds on the success of his 2015 debut EP, Perfect Moments.

Indeed, Zaddy’s latest collection of stellar material required a top-notch team to do it justice on tape, starting with producer Ross Citrullo (The Sheepdogs, Julian Taylor Band, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar). From there, a combination of Zaddy’s trusted live band and local session stars created the chemistry that led to the high-energy results that were polished off by Joao Carvalho Mastering.

It’s impossible to ignore the positive vibes that Be radiates upon first listen; from Zaddy’s dynamic vocal performances to the tight, funky arrangements, there’s a familiarity for anyone who grew up on ‘70s FM radio. But for those who didn’t, there’s plenty to dig into in Zaddy’s stories of life, love, hardship and redemption.

“When I started making this record it became clear that all of the songs were about life lessons that have motivated me in recent years,” he says. “That spirit translated into the studio as well, with a great sense of collaboration among everyone. Ross really pushed me and he also had some great arrangement ideas that I think make all of the songs stand out. We worked hard to make these tunes the absolute best they could be.”

That’s certainly evident on Be’s opening track “Busy,” (OUT NOW) a blast of pure, contemporary R&B that shows off Zaddy and company’s full power. For Zaddy, its message hinges on the line “you can be right or you can be happy,” one of those aforementioned hard-earned life lessons. “Sometimes we want to be right so badly that we don’t care who we hurt in the process,” he observes. “I’ve found myself guilty of this more than once in my life, and writing this song was part of me realizing there has to be a better way. We can have open and honest conversation, and leave the daggers at the door.”

The tone then quickly shifts to the lighter jangle of “A Dear Friend,” which Zaddy entered into CBC Music’s 2019 Searchlight competition and a song with special meaning for him. “When I was writing ‘A Dear Friend,’ I was thinking about the people I grew up playing music with and how I don’t get to see many of them as much as I’d like to,” he says. “It’s very much a reminder and an affirmation to make time for the people I care about.”

On a similar theme, Zaddy highlights “Brighter Days” as one of the album’s more uplifting moments. “That came from thinking about people in my life who had been through hard times, whether it be emotionally, financially, or spiritually. It’s important to remember we can talk about these times, and that there are people in your life who care.”

However, self-care is important too, and that’s reflected in the track “Little River” about an out-of-the way place near Ottawa that Zaddy tries to get to whenever he can in order to recharge. “I find the best way for me to wind down from life’s hectic nature is to hit the road through rural Ontario,” he explains. “The long drives, the little lakes and rivers really help me put it all behind me, and just be in the moment. The specific river in the song is the Madawaska in the Ottawa Valley where some very good friends live. There are few places I’ve been that truly feel like home, and this is one of them.”

Zaddy is sure to stumble upon more getaways such as that as he hits the road in support of Be. His previous forays have taken him across Canada, while he’s been celebrated at home with “We Are The North,” a song he co-wrote that was chosen as Mississauga, Ontario’s official anthem for its Canada150 events. One of those was the Canada Day extravaganza where he shared the stage with K’Naan, part of the diverse array of artists Zaddy has appeared with, which also includes pop star Francesco Yates, CanRock legends Tom Cochrane and Jim Cuddy, and Australian alt-rockers Atlas Genius.

It may come as a surprise that Zaddy first entered the music scene playing heavy metal. But as he’s reinvented himself, it’s been with the intention to connect with as many listeners as possible, regardless of any genre restrictions. Be certainly possesses everything to achieve that goal in a big way, and to place Matt Zaddy squarely in the conversation about Canada’s most promising singer/songwriters.

“I truly hope that this album inspires people to do that little bit extra to make a real impact on those around us, and ultimately the world itself,” he says. “It’s a ripple effect; imagine what kind of world we could create if we all just did a little of that every day? It gives me hope to think of that possibility.”

Highlights:

• 2019 winner – Mississauga Music award for Best Promoter
• 2019 featured performer at Rock the Coliseum (Haviah Mighty – 2019 Polaris Prize winner, The Creepshow)
• 2019 Featured performer at: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, Registry Theatre Kitchener (Starlight Youth Festival), Showplace Theatre Peterborough, Bobcaygeon Summer Concert Series, Mississauga Port Credit Summer Concert Series
• 2017 Canada Day Celebrations at Mississauga Celebration Square w/ K’Naan
• Co-writer of the song We Are The North, Mississauga’s official summer song for its #Canada150 Celebrations
• National Touring in 2017 in support of the single Perfect Moments, with interviews on CBC Radio in eastern Canada
• National radio play of the single Perfect Moments on CBC & commercial radio
• 2017 & 2018 TD Songs of Summer Festival w/ The Trews, 5440, Whitehorse (Oakville Jazz Festival)
• 2017 Soundbites Music Festival w/ Tom Cochrane & Francesco Yates
• 2017 Winner of the Mississauga Music Award for Best Acoustic Artist

Some fun Matt Zaddy facts, accomplishments, and associations:

• Vegan / active member of the Toronto Vegetarian Association
• 2016 Winner of the Community Arts Award from the Canadian Community Arts Initiative / Mosaic South Asian Festival / Rock the Coliseum
• 2017 Winner of the Mississauga Music Award for Best Acoustic Artist
• Former band leader of Starring Janet Leigh, a Toronto based tech/progressive metal act (Ironclad Recordings/Metal Blade Records
• Hosts a series of community open mic / jam nights in his home town of Mississauga
• Member of the Group From Far & Wide, a Mississauga based songwriting collective that wrote We Are The North, the official song of Mississauga’s #Canada150 Celebrations
• Private Music Teacher: guitar, bass, piano, vocals – email info@mattzaddy.com for lesson inquiries
• Member of The Infringements, a trio rock and roll/rhythm & blues cover band
• Member of River North, a duo with Heather Christine, his partner in life & music
• A highly sought after performer for private events. Email info@mattzaddy.com for more details