Groove Blues: The musical relationship between charismatic 21st Century blues singer Doc Span and maverick multi-instrumentalist/producer Matthew Cang is one of the most unusual in contemporary music.
Their separate experiences cover smokey Chicago blues, classic Brit-rock and cinematic soundscapes. Span & Cang create unique music which breaks musical conventions at every turn: gritty, lyrical and groove-laden combining funk, rock, electronica and blues.
Forging a transcontinental sound, crossing time zones and generations, Doc and Matthew have worked together over recent years to produce two albums, developed and recorded in both the UK and Australia, mixed and mastered in the UK and over the internet. 'The Treatment' and 'Something For The Pain' , each with 11 original compositions, is choc-full of contemporary grooves mixed with the blues.
Both albums were created under circumstances as unusual and engaging as the individuals involved.
UK-based Matthew’s track record extends from teenage membership of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, (when he played on such renowned stages as the London Palladium and the Glastonbury Festival) through a spell managing London's legendary Jam Studios to his current status as a highly respected writer and producer of soundtrack music for TV and film.
He met Doc at the Woodford Folk Festival in Australia.Originally from Sinatra’s hometown Hoboken, New Jersey, Doc arrived in Australia in 1987 via an adventure-packed route including three years in the US Navy as a hospital corpsman and work as a paramedic at Illinois’ notorious Cook County Jail providing a wealth of life-changing encounters, not least when the facility hosted gigs by blues legends such as BB King and Muddy Waters. He learnt blues harmonica first hand from Chicago bluesman Eddie Newell, and toured the USA relentlessly for a decade. Doc’s reputation brought him a place in the prestigious Hohner Harmonica Calendar.
With finishing touches courtesy of the cream of British musicianship - including Hammond organ player Simon Clark, guitarist Des Welstead, Piano Steve Baker and vocalist Carmen Daye – The Treatment and Something For The Pain provide the formula for an equally unique live show.
It's blues, Jim, but not as we know it.
