Matt Mays is one of my favorite Canadian musicians. Period.
His music puts me in a different place. It makes me feel something. It soothes me. Ever since I first heard his music as a kid, I immediately fell in love.
Matt was born in Hamilton but grew up in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. As he got his start in music, he was part of a band called The Guthries. When the band decided to go their separate ways in 2002, Matt started his own band: Matt Mays & El Torpedo.
Their first album was released in 2003, called Matt Mays. It’s highlighted by two of my favorite songs: “City of Lakes” and “Downtown.” If you haven’t heard these songs, stop what you’re doing right now and give them a listen. “City of Lakes” in particular is a thing of beauty.
In 2005, they released the sophomore effort Matt Mays & El Torpedo. This is one of my favorite albums of all time, with some of my favorite songs of all time. “Cocaine Cowgirl,” “On the Hood,” St. George’s Lane,” “Ain’t So Heavy,” and “Move Your Mind” are songs I’ve been listening to for nearly 20 years and still love as much as I did back then.
2006 brought When the Angels Make Contact. Not to the level of his first two, but still a good album. It just doesn’t hit the same peaks. “Never Saw it Comin’” and “The Past” are my picks. Terminal Romance (2008) had great songs like “Tall Trees” and “Building a Boat.”
In 2012, Coyote was released. Another great album that I think is the best since 2005. My picks of this one are “Take It On Faith,” “Indio,” and “Dull Knife.” It won Rock Album of the Year at the 2014 JUNO Awards.
After a five-year break, he released Once Upon a Hell of a Time in 2018 and it’s a triumphant return for Matt Mays. When these came out, I was beyond stoked. “Sentimental Sins” is such a great song. Go listen to it now. I also really like “Faint of Heart,” “NYC Girls,” and “Drive On.” An acoustic version, Twice Upon a Hell of a Time, came out in 2019.
The latest album, Dog City, came out in 2020 and feels like a bit of a throwback to his very earlier sound. A solid effort here. “Talking to the Sky” is my favorite.
Matt Mays will be performing in Calgary on July 27th, but if you’d prefer to wait until he comes to BC, don’t fret. He’s due, so I think it’s just a matter of time.
For now, Matt makes regular appearances on Evolution, so tune in to hear one of Canada’s greatest singer-songwriters!