Hamilton born, Halifax bred Matt Mays has made a career out
of defying expectations. From his early days as a member of the seminal
‘alt-country’ group The Guthries, Mays has always zigged when the public has
been expecting a zag.
After
departing The Guthries to embark on a solo career Matt released his self-titled
debut which maintained the rootsy, laid-back feel of his earlier work but also
had a decidedly more rock vibe. The solo debut caused quite a stir across Canada and went
on to be nominated to two Juno Awards (New Artist & Adult Alternative
Album).
Matt
followed this up with the first Matt Mays & El Torpedo album, recorded
with the live band he had formed to tour in support of the Matt Mays album. Matt
Mays & El Torpedo had quickly evolved into one of Canada’s best
live acts. Produced with Grammy Award-winner Don Smith (Tom Petty, Keith
Richards), the album’s first single “Cocaine Cowgirl” was a massive hit and the
album went on to win four East Coast Music Awards in 2006. The band began
working in the US
as well, the highlight of which was an appearance on the Conan O’Brien show.
Just
when everyone had him tagged as a Tom Petty inspired rock and roller Mays
veered off in another direction, producing the music for ill-fated When
the Angels Make Contact film.
While it confounded many fans the album was a critical success an …
Hamilton born, Halifax bred Matt Mays has made a career out
of defying expectations. From his early days as a member of the seminal
‘alt-country’ group The Guthries, Mays has always zigged when the public has
been expecting a zag.
After
departing The Guthries to embark on a solo career Matt released his self-titled
debut which maintained the rootsy, laid-back feel of his earlier work but also
had a decidedly more rock vibe. The solo debut caused quite a stir across Canada and went
on to be nominated to two Juno Awards (New Artist & Adult Alternative
Album).
Matt
followed this up with the first Matt Mays & El Torpedo album, recorded
with the live band he had formed to tour in support of the Matt Mays album. Matt
Mays & El Torpedo had quickly evolved into one of Canada’s best
live acts. Produced with Grammy Award-winner Don Smith (Tom Petty, Keith
Richards), the album’s first single “Cocaine Cowgirl” was a massive hit and the
album went on to win four East Coast Music Awards in 2006. The band began
working in the US
as well, the highlight of which was an appearance on the Conan O’Brien show.
Just
when everyone had him tagged as a Tom Petty inspired rock and roller Mays
veered off in another direction, producing the music for ill-fated When
the Angels Make Contact film.
While it confounded many fans the album was a critical success and went on to
be nominated for another Juno in the Adult Alternative Album of the Year
category. Matt put together an eight piece band to tour the music and visuals from
When
The Angels Make Contact.
2008
saw the return of El Torpedo and the Terminal Romance album. Produced in
the UK
with producer Chris Tsangarides (Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Anvil) the album
features the singles “Tall Trees”, “Building A Boat”, and the epic title track.
Terminal
Romance won the ECMA for Rock Album of the Year in 2008 and was
nominated for a Juno in the same category.
Matt’s back in solo mode now, working on material when
not on the road with a new band performing material from all four albums.
