Press Play> Vol.8 Matt Masters, Country, Alt. Country, Folk, Roots, Americana

I tell anyone who will listen to me that the best music being made today is what a lot of people call alt.country, roots or Americana (?). I don't much like any of those labels. There are two reasons behind them: 1) to distinguish edgy country music from more mainstream country played on most radio stations and 2) when hipsters try to say the words "country" followed by "music" it gets stuck in their throat.

Matt Masters is a Calgary based musician. He plays country music. Kick ass country music. Here's a bit of his bio from his record company Saved By Radio.

The Montreal Gazette says he was ʻborn to sing country music.ʼ The Red Deer Express says he wields a remarkable voice, they call him a ʻtrue country and western singer in the traditional sense.ʼ They go on, ʻA historian with a keen sense of the modern era, Masters intertwines his western heritage with a forward-looking vision.ʼ

With his new album, ALL-WESTERN WINNERS, Matt Masters lays out the blueprint for what is coming in Canadian country music. He has grabbed the sounds of the prairie by their roots and used the future as a fertilizer to grow a crop of Canadian songs that will serve to feed a generation. The sound is heavier than ever before as Masters carries his voice to new heights. Traditional 21st century western Canadian folk music. World and Canadian music, Alberta style.

Here is a song from Matt's latest record.

I asked Matt if he would like to Press Play> on my blog and he said yes and he answered my questions ... sort of. 

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

My friend and bandmate Craig McCaul is playing guitar in the room next to me.

Craig's bio -- A master guitarist by trade, Craig's prowess as a bass player is equally formidable. His rich sense of musicality is enhanced by the diversity of projects he has spearheaded or been a part of in past years. A graduate of the Music Diploma Program at Calgary's Mount Royal College, McCaul is a veteran of the touring circuit. His impressive resume of projects display diversity such as as African folk group Doundounba, singer/songwriter Adrienne Pierce, and jazz violinist Karl Roth

WHAT IS THE RECORD (OKAY MAYBE TWO OR THREE OR FOUR) THAT INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC THE MOST?

All three of these were really big for me

Marty Robbins - Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs

Roger Miller - Robin Hood 

Willie Nelson – Greatest Hits and some that will be





WHAT IS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?

Sting – Dream of the Blue Turtles

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COVER TUNE (SONG AND COVERED BY WHOM)?

Changes all the time. I am quite fond of It's A Heartache by Bonnie Tyler (written by Ronnie Scott & Steve Wolfe also covered by Juice Newton and Ronnie Spector) 

I am also rather fond of a song I cover on my new record. It's called Snake Farm written by Ray Wylie Hubbard.

SEE THE NEW VIDEO FOR SNAKE FARM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. (Jan 4, 2012)

WHAT IS THE RECORD YOU COUNT AS A GUILTY PLEASURE? 

Pump by Aerosmith and then about another 100.

CURRENTLY, WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD TO LISTEN TO ON THE ROAD? 

Usually the newest one I have. My current faves include the new album (Tonight, Tonight) by The Heartbroken



WHICH OF YOUR RECORDS IS YOUR FAVOURITE? 

My newest one, All-Western Winners for sure!

WHAT'S THE RECORD YOU BOUGHT THAT YOU WISH YOU DIDN'T? 

I never really regret a record purchase. I have some pretty weird ones, but I wouldn’t call them regrets.

Follow Matt on Twitter @MastersMatt 

Like Matt on Facebook here 

Find out when and where Matt is performing here