Matt Ward profile picture

Matt Ward

About Me

Matt Ward has something up his sleeve for the Prairie music scene: the soundtrack to a fresher, warmer season. His first album, Thrift Shopping, brims with crisp sound and personality. With roots in the small Manitoba town of Oakbank, Matt has branched out personally and musically over the past 2 years, and Thrift Shopping tells a tale of transition with each track. Schooled only by his insatiable curiosity and two years with the Winnipeg Folk Festival’s Young Performers program, Matt’s debut album never tips towards the tired. His love for photography and travel have given him an impressive arsenal of songwriting tools, and months spent in the Rocky Mountains and in Asia are storyboards where he’s crafted poignant musical escapes. Listening to his songs feels intimate as a photo album or a campfire surrounded by friends. Local legends Hugh McMillan and Cara Luft join Matt on this album, helping to expand his sound, and add rich layers to his bare singer-songwriter honesty. Other musical contributors include Andrew Vaillancourt (Lead Guitar), Gary Gach (Drums) and Micah Bell (Bass). Thrift Shopping brings Matt’s experimentation to polished heights, without sacrificing the youthful rawness he is so loved for. The album borrows playfully from folk, blues, and rock, creating a voice all its own. Thrift Shopping’s earnest lyrics and melodies will bounce around in your head for days, as it grasps at what it means to live and love today. The invitatory track, “Jet Plane,” weaves optimism through wanderlust, and the title track tells of love through a romp at the thrift store. For Martin Sexton followers to James Keelaghan groupies, here is a young musician with the soul of a true storyteller. The self-produced debut album was recorded and mixed by Neil Cameron at Private Ear Studios. Additional engineering was done by John Paul Peters, with mastering by Spectre Recording and Mastering.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 5/10/2006
Band Website: mattward.ca
Band Members: Matt Ward - Guitar, Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals Gary Gach - Drums Andrew Vailencourt - Lead Guitar Micah Bell - Bass Cara Luft - Harmony Vocals Hugh McMillan - Mandolin
Influences: Radiohead, Thom Yorke Sufjan Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Martin Sexton, John Mayer, James Keelaghan, Gary Jules, Fink, Jeremy Fisher, Ben Harper, Richie Havens, Simon & Garfunkle, Feist, The Weakerthans, Xavier Rudd, Colin James Hay, Iron & Wine, Nathan, The Be Good Tanyas, David Lindley, Ani DiFranco, Crooked Still, Sigur Rós, Dashboard Confessional, Death Cab for Cutie, Delton 3030, Neil Young, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Broken Social Scene(and all of its members that have gone solo now!), Frou Frou, Bob Marley, Feist, Jimmy Eat World, Coldplay, Moby, Air, Moses Mayes, all classical music!
Sounds Like: Matt Ward
Type of Label: Unsigned

My Blog

Thailand and India

Hey friends! I am currently in Thailand or India travelling with my buddy Ben. Don't expect timely responses from me, though I will have occational internet access. I'll have a slue of songs ready for...
Posted by on Sun, 14 Oct 2007 22:25:00 GMT

Videos

Hey there all! If you have some spare time and would like to watch some videos of me playing some tunes of mine go on my facebook profile (or add me) and watch some vids of mine that are posted on the...
Posted by on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:15:00 GMT

Live Pillow Soft Video

Hey people! hope your doing well.you can check out a live video of me playing Pillow Soft at The Park Theatre if you click on my videos tab under my display picture, or simply copy and paste this into...
Posted by on Thu, 28 Jun 2007 23:23:00 GMT

'I lost You" up for download!

Hey there, just another tune to d/l if you want.
Posted by on Thu, 31 May 2007 23:35:00 GMT

Folk Festival Young Performers Stage

Hey everyone, I have some great news to announce to you. You probably have some idea as to what this news is...if you read the title of this post. ANYWAYS, I have been accepted into the Winnipeg Folk ...
Posted by on Wed, 30 May 2007 14:17:00 GMT

The Western States Concert!

Hey there everyone, just a quick post about a show ill be playing. Ill be opening for The Western States! you should check out there music, its wiked stuff. you can check it out at the myspace down be...
Posted by on Sun, 20 May 2007 15:20:00 GMT

Pillow Soft Downloadable!

Hey all, this is just a message to let you know that there is a new version of "Pillow Soft" up for play and download! Hope you enjoy!
Posted by on Tue, 08 May 2007 17:58:00 GMT

My Mailing List

Hey there all, this is a copy of my mailing list, if you want to be added to it email me at [email protected]. c yah!=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-...
Posted by on Wed, 02 May 2007 22:30:00 GMT

Download Keystone Province

Hey there, for a limited time I'll be having the option on here that you can download some of my music, I put Pillow Soft on for download for a while. Now its Keystones turn. Tell me if you want more....
Posted by on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:20:00 GMT

New Recoring - In Studio!

Hey everyone, how are you all doing?Well, im doing great, ive recently recorded with a Winnipeg Recording Artist/Producer named Jim, hes a real nice guy. Tell me what you think of this tune I did.&nbs...
Posted by on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 23:23:00 GMT