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Pop-Trap Artist MATTMAC Continues To Inspire With “Status”

Eric Alper
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Pop-Trap Artist MATTMAC Continues To Inspire With “Status”

2021 has been a busy year for up-and-coming pop-trap artist Mattmac so far. After tucking an Album Of The Year Award into his belt from the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards, he’s also received an Indigenous Artist of the Year nomination at this year’s BreakOut West Festival’s Western Canadian Music Awards.

Among it all, Mattmac has debuted this, his latest single, “Status” to his dedicated and expanding cluster of listeners.

Something that makes Mattmac’s music so unique is his ability to incorporate other genres into his pop music productions. While Mattmac has a tendency to focus on pop-trap music, it hasn’t kept him from incorporating elements of the rock and metal genres into his productions, with “Status” being no exception.

Truth be told, that is one element that makes Mattmac’s story so inspiring. However, if you dive a little deeper, you find this self-taught producer and instrumentalist is exceptionally skilled at slapping together a outstanding compositions release after release. And a quick Google search of Mattmac will very quickly inform you that Mattmac is blind; in fact he was born blind.

Mattmac’s blindness took a toll on him in his early years. However, it seems he’s taken his hardships and turned them into a platform to bolster himself. “I began to struggle with depression at a young age, and I credit music for helping me cope; I grew up surrounded by music both on the radio and singing in my community’s gospel choir.”

It’s always humbling to see an artist who can turn tragedy into triumph. For a lot of artists, one successful single would be enough to call it a day. For Mattmac, this is not the case; since 2017 Mattmac has been releasing music, starting with his debut single “Help You See,” a clever play on words that reflects on his condition while also being an uplifting collaboration between students of Garden Hill, Manitoba.

“Help You See” as a production came was conceptualized in 2016 when N’we Jinan, a travelling music studio program. N’we Jinan invited Mattmac to collaborate on a project. Drawing inspiration from his personal story, they worked on producing “Help You See” which was streamed more than 250,000 times on YouTube and Facebook. Through this experience, he connected with International artist Nelly Furtado, and performed alongside her at Indigenous Day Live and We Day Canada Day in 2017; they continue to work together.

From there, it has been nothing but up for Mattmac. In fact, one of his more recent 2020 singles, “Paradise,” has swept the Canadian airwaves, surmounting over 260,000 streams since its release on Spotify. From there, it went on to be featured on the NCI FM Indigenous Music Countdown hosted by SiriusXM while also receiving local support from Virgin Radio Winnipeg.

All of this hard work and perseverance has led us to this point, Mattmac’s release of his newest single, “Status,” which features more inspirational messaging coupled with some exhilarating trap influenced lyrics. While Mattmac carries on, he leaves something special for everyone to pick up on: “I hope to continue to use my platform to inspire others to know that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.”

“Status” is available now.

Laszlo Jones Roams the Darker Side of Romance with Provocative “Out Of My Head”

Eric Alper
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Laszlo Jones Roams the Darker Side of Romance with Provocative “Out Of My Head”

A harrowing tale of a love so potent, it becomes dangerous, charismatic rocker Laszlo Jones roams the darker side of romance with provocative new single, “Out Of My Head” — available now.

Openly exploring the turbulent nature of losing love — all within moments of poignant reflection, principally communicated through the lyrics — the latest single off Jones’ hallucinatory new EP, Beyond The Door, demonstrates the unshackled approach to music that flourishes within the well-travelled artist.

“When I ride through stormy weather, I remember how it used to be
How you used to hold my temper, how you made it all right for me
There’s no way I could forget the way you kept away my regrets
When you held me
When you touched me
When you gave me the world I wanted”

The complexities of destructive relationships are as viscerally communicated in the sound as they are in words. This concept is expressed further within the music video for “Out Of My Head,” where interpretive dance and striking visuals take center stage to deliver the emotional imagery manifested in the super-charged single.

A composer in his own right, Jones’ meticulous attention to musical detail shapes the new EP with the collaborative effort of his friend, multi-instrumentalist and producer Michael Buyens (The Gathering, Life Of Agony). Jones assembles an all-star cast of accomplished musicians in Paris, France, to record the five tracks that would comprise his latest project.

Argentinian arranger Marcos Barilari guides the eclectic sounds of the new EP to life through the expert musicianship of drummer Ralph Sammins (ABBA, Quincy Jones), Pianist Michael Arrom (Steve Vai), and Canadian producer/songwriter Kane Churko (5 Finger Death Punch, Ozzy Osbourne) who mixed at renowned Las Vegas recording studio The Hideout.

Laszlo Jones’ artistic fearlessness originates from his native Beirut, Lebanon, where the expatriation of his parents led him on a path that prioritizes personal discovery and adventure. This freedom of expression encouraged Jones to pursue varied opportunities to play in bands across multiple genres in practically every country he’s called home. Jones’ avant-garde approach to his craft allows the listener to experience a uniquely international influence unbound by the conventions of rock music.

“Out Of My Head” is available now.

Sonic Reducers: Jack White Releases “Taking Me Back”

Eric Alper
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Sonic Reducers: Jack White Releases “Taking Me Back”

Sonic Reducers. 1 topic. 2 music nerds. 5 minutes.

We discuss both versions of Jack White’s new Call Of Duty-soundtrack single Taking Me Back, express our love for anything and everything he does, and admit we have no idea what Call Of Duty is all about.

Introducing the Deane Cameron Recording Studio at Allied Music Centre

Eric Alper
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Introducing the Deane Cameron Recording Studio at Allied Music Centre

Massey Hall has announced the dedication of the new recording studio in Allied Music Centre – the Deane Cameron Recording Studio. Named honouring the late Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall President and CEO, Deane Cameron. The Canadian music industry icon and recipient of the Order of Canada, also served as President of EMI Music Canada over the course of his esteemed career.
“Deane dedicated his life to discovering and sharing exceptional music. We could think of no better way to honour his memory than to attach his name to the room where future concerts and studio sessions will be recorded for the world to hear,” said Jesse Kumagai, President and CEO, The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.

Every performance space, from Massey Hall’s Allan Slaight Stage to each of the three new venues in Allied Music Centre will be wired to the Deane Cameron Recording Studio and will immortalize historic musical moments.

On May 16, 2019, the world lost one of its greatest music champions. Deane Cameron started in the warehouse at EMI Music Canada in 1972, working his way to the top, becoming President in 1988 where he remained at the helm until 2012, leaving an indelible mark on Canadian culture. In 2015, Deane took over as President & CEO of the Corporation of Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall to drive the most significant revitalization in Massey Hall’s history. When the iconic red doors on Shuter Street reopen to the public, Massey Hall will be intrinsically linked to a seven-storey addition featuring new live music venues and dedicated spaces for music creation and education, collectively known as Allied Music Centre. It is here where Deane’s memory and legacy will be honoured with the creation of the Deane Cameron Recording Studio.

Emerging artists and participants in Artist Development programs will benefit from access to world-class equipment and the inspiration drawn from the most storied address in Canadian music. Education and Outreach programming will have profound impact as students and music lovers of all ages connect with music and with each other in life-changing ways made possible by the Deane Cameron Recording Studio.

Deane’s legacy will be honoured in the most fitting way possible and empower future generations to create and share their music.

“Deane would be thrilled to know that today’s artist community will be able to further their musical aspirations through the Deane Cameron Recording studio. His commitment to the development of Canadian music culture was the hallmark of his career. This honours his legacy while providing an outlet for creativity, collaboration and musical education to flourish,” said David Munns & Tim Trombley, close friends and former colleagues of Deane Cameron and Campaign Co-Chairs, The Deane Cameron Recording Studio.

Friends and the Canadian music community are encouraged to share their favourite memory of Deane and honour his legacy with a donation to the Deane Cameron Recording Studio at DeaneCameronRecordingStudio.com. To kick things off, a generous friend of Deane’s has committed to match the first $150,000 in donations, doubling the impact.

Canadian Reggae Sensation Rupert (Ojiji) Harvey Works Closely With Family For “Blazing Iron” Single

Eric Alper
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Canadian Reggae Sensation Rupert (Ojiji) Harvey Works Closely With Family For “Blazing Iron” Single

When it comes to being an international delight, Rupert (Ojiji) Harvey is no stranger to being recognized. Which is why it’s no surprise you and me are here gushing over this multi-award winning reggae staple’s newest release, “Blazing Iron” — available now.

Rupert (Ojiji) Harvey wears many hats: as a solo recording artist, as well as the founder of legendary Canadian Funk Band, Crack of Dawn, and also world-renowned reggae outfit, Messenjah. Harvey ran so that Canadian reggae could walk; for more than four decades, and counting, he has been a pillar for the reggae music scene in Canada.

During the trailblazing process, Harvey has become quite the decorated musician, picking up awards such as a JUNO, CASBY, and the Q107 Music Award. Recently, Rupert Harvey has also been inducted into the Canadian Reggae Music Hall of Fame while watching his music continue to be featured in several television and movie soundtracks. Harvey even accepted a cameo appearance in the movie, Cocktail.

In fact, it’s this “Blazing Iron” inside of Harvey’s heart that keeps the hunger strong…

“Blazing Iron” is the latest song written and produced by Ojiji, which features glowing contributions from Rupert Harvey’s brother, Carl Harvey — who is, in fact, a foundational member of the Grammy Award winning Reggae band, Toots and the Maytals. The “Blazing Iron” project also features Rupert Harvey’s son, Meshach Harvey, as part of the production team, bringing strong engineering and production skills with him.

While “Blazing Iron” is the newest release from Rupert Harvey, it doesn’t mean this accredited musician hasn’t been busy. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Busy with his current solo career, and also focused on the Ojiji project, after Crack of Dawn disbanded in 1978, Harvey made his transition over to Ojiji and focused on solo projects. Debuting with the single, “Ojiji – The Shadow,” he then released “Ojiji – Halfway Home,” and recently, “Once A Lion” — the latter of which was recorded on the Hawaiian Islands.

It doesn’t seem like the apple falls too far from the tree when it comes to this musically inclined family. Both Rupert Harvey and Carl Harvey are world-renowned musicians who receive much praise wherever listener’s are blessed with the sonic tranquility that is their voices and rhythmic stylization.

In fact, “Blazing Iron” incorporates much of the experience that the Harvey brothers have picked up along the way. “Blazing Iron” features a poppy timbre to fit well into the radio ready reggae that finds its way to radio, while also still carrying traditional Reggae homages along with it.

It seems like Ojiji is here to continue blazing the trail as Rupert Harvey’s alter ego, or solo career name. “Blazing Iron” is the newest single debuted by Ojiji, however the production value is still very much in tune with the projects that would come from Messenjah or Crack of Dawn. When it comes to greatness, that is hard to leave behind. Rupert (Ojiji) Harvey seems to carry this greatness everywhere he goes and pass it along to everything he touches.

“Blazing Iron” is available now

Martha and the Muffins Set To Release First New Album in 11 Years with New Single “Do You Ever Wonder”

Eric Alper
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Martha and the Muffins Set To Release First New Album in 11 Years with New Single “Do You Ever Wonder”

Described as “one of the most innovative of their era,” iconic Canadian artists Martha and the Muffins have announced the release of their new album, Marthology: In and Outtakes — available November 5th.

Groundbreaking from the start, Martha and the Muffins formed during the early days of Toronto’s punk / new wave / art pop scene in 1977. They were the first Canadian band to sign to a UK label, recording their debut, Metro Music, at England’s The Manor Studio, and would go on to tour and receive more than three decades worth of critical acclaim worldwide.

Since then, the band has released seven studio albums, three of which they co-produced with Daniel Lanois (U2/Peter Gabriel). The songs they worked on together included the groundbreaking singles “Women Around The World At Work”, “Danseparc”, “Black Stations White Stations”, “Come Out And Dance” and “Cooling The Medium”. Martha Johnson and Mark Gane, founding members of Martha and the Muffins, have gone into their extensive archives to select 12 rare singles, B-sides and unreleased tracks for ‘Marthology: In And Outtakes’.

‘Marthology: In And Outtakes’ spans 35 years of recordings including previously limited releases of “Summer Of Song,” “Big Day,” and “Do You Ever Wonder,” as well as the 30th anniversary version of JUNO-winning single, “Echo Beach,” as well as never heard before songs and alternative versions of album cuts.

For the band’s global audience as well as the uninitiated, ‘Marthology: In And Outtakes’, offers a behind the scenes glimpse of the original and diverse avenues of Martha and Mark’s songwriting which has defined Martha and the Muffins as a groundbreaking band since it’s formation.

Marthology: In and Outtakes is available November 5th, 2021.

Marthology: The In and Outtakes Track Listing

“On A Silent Summer Evening”
“Summer Of Song”
“Do You Ever Wonder?”
“Act Like A Woman”
“Don’t Monkey With My Love”
“Talking Through My Hat”
“Big Day”
“There Comes A Day”
“Fighting The Monster (Alt. Version)”
“Resurrection”
“Delicate”
“Echo Beach (30th Anniversary Version)”

Singer-Songwriter Mike Green Unveils Living Room Session EP with “No One’s Gonna Love You Like I Do”

Eric Alper
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Singer-Songwriter Mike Green Unveils Living Room Session EP with “No One’s Gonna Love You Like I Do”

Two acoustic guitars (one plugged in, one not), some smooth but earnest vocals, and one cozy living room is all Mike Green, and his longtime friend, Tim Palmieri (Lotus, Kung Fu), needed to create the new single, “No One’s Gonna Love You Like I Do” — available now.

The first single from their Living Room Session EP, the song tells the story of a guy who knows he’s not the girl’s type, but he’s going to pursue her anyway and give it all he’s got. The rhythm is steady and, at times, passionately emphatic — and Palmieri adds some deft fingerpicking and beautiful wailing notes. The bridge alternates between exuberance and lament, and the song ends on the slow and full-hearted declaration, “Somehow…we’ll figure it all out…no one’s gonna love you like I do.”

Mike Green and Tim Palmieri grew up together in Connecticut on a street named Cosey Beach Avenue, and Palmieri had always been a guitar hero of Green’s. “We’ve known each other so long we’re essentially brothers,” Green said. They had collaborated together on a few occasions, but usually they were both seeing family and couldn’t find the time to play seriously together and record.

Recently, however, this time was different.

“This felt emotional because it was filmed in my childhood home, with my family who I was visiting, on the other side of the camera, watching from across the room,” Green said. “Anyone in this room at the time of this recording is someone I have not seen in almost two years due to the pandemic. It’s been just as long since I’ve had someone performing by my side.”

Ironically, the first time Palmieri ever heard Green perform was in that same room — with an eight-year-old Green singing “Rocky Racoon.” “We have both grown so much individually as performers, musicians and travelers, to come full circle and be reunited for this performance really aligned us with our roots again,” Green said.

It was great to be together again with family and friends, having some wonderful laughs along with wine and cheese. The only obstacle, though, was Palmieri’s guitar, which was a semi-hollow body acoustic that didn’t project enough for the room mic. They didn’t have time to borrow another guitar, but they realized Palmieri could plug in, so Green found an old, beat-up amp he had in the attic that didn’t even have a power button and that had to be pressed in with a pen or a cable. It crackled a bit, and then, hallelujah, it worked.

They recorded each song back to back in one take, without rehearsing first. “I wanted to keep these songs simple and stripped down,” Green said. “There aren’t any effects or glamour. Two guitars, two hearts.” “No One’s Gonna Love You Like I Do” originally appeared on Green’s self-produced debut album Restart, and the original was a bit cheerier. “It was fun to try out a more chill version of it,” Green said.

Green is a Berklee College of Music grad, and is now a sought-after L.A. session player and singer, and has performed in front of renowned artists such as Mick Jagger, John C. Reilly, Wyclef Jean, Maroon 5, and Jamie Cullum.

“No One’s Gonna Love You Like I Do,” and his Living Room Session EP with Tim Palmieri, are available now.

Veteran Recording Artist JOHN AULABAUGH Utilizes Sonic Expertise For “Sweet as You” Album

Eric Alper
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Veteran Recording Artist JOHN AULABAUGH Utilizes Sonic Expertise For “Sweet as You” Album

In his most personal work to date — and a dynamic and layered fusion of his signature Americana sound and anything-but-conventional classic rock sensibilities — Champaign, Illinois veteran recording artist John Aulabaugh’s fourth studio album, Sweet As You, has arrived.

Aulabaugh’s creative vision for the release is realized with musical collaborations with artists encountered throughout his songwriting career; Sweet as You began taking shape in the final months of 2016 after working on his first solo album with long-time studio musician and master session keyboardist Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers, Foo Fighters, Sound City Players).

The overall musical texture of Sweet as You was informed by meticulous attention to rhythmic detail and the use of the fabled recording space New Monkey Studios in Los Angeles, California. The studio of legendary Elliot Smith was a playground for musical creations, with Aulabaugh attesting the “console is a rare Trident used on Rush albums back in the day” and that they “were seeking out the ghosts in the machine.”

The decision to record Sweet as You all-analog was a cumbersome test of mettle for the all-star cast of sound engineers and musicians. A process that was two years in the making had finally reached the stage where the album’s tracks could be laid down over the five-day recording period; the final embellishments on Sweet as You were added in the renowned Jackpot! Recording Studio in Portland, Oregon, soon after.

From there, Aulabaugh sought out Australian comic book artist Daniel Reed to create the cover art for the album, knowing he would effectively communicate all of the harmonic subtleties of the music through Reed’s striking visual style.

John Aulabaugh came from humble beginnings. He played his brother’s guitar throughout the Illinois area until the early ’80s until he eventually gave up music entirely to settle in corporate America. Inevitably he picked up his guitar again sometime later and began recording with some of the most accomplished musicians in the business; his journey has been anything but simple. Finding a renewed sense of creative purpose, he decided that the time was right to pursue his dream of putting together his debut record, Of Sins Past & Present, which spent 20 weeks on the US Americana chart in 2015, and has been on fire ever since.

John Aulabaugh’s album, Sweet as You, and his new single, “A Reason,” are available now.

Seattle Duo THE NYLON ADMIRALS Defy Norms With Dramatic Electronic/Orchestral Fusion in “Morgunsár”

Eric Alper
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Seattle Duo THE NYLON ADMIRALS Defy Norms With Dramatic Electronic/Orchestral Fusion in “Morgunsár”

The Nylon Admirals are at the helm of the ship of life, ready to grab it by the wheel and sail through the stormy darkness and back into the light. That is the feeling instilled by the cinematic mood of their new single, “Morgunsár,” as it shepherds the listener from a dark, dramatic beginning through several distinct themes — all towards a bright, upbeat climax.

Blending pounding rhythms, ethereal vocals, hypnotic guitar riffs, and tension building strings, “Morgunsár” has everything necessary to at least be a profound hype track, if not an excellent cinematic feature. Available now, the song makes it easy to see why The Nylon Admirals describe their sound as “electronic music for thrill seekers.”

Titled with an Icelandic word that translates literally as “morning scar,” “Morgunsár” also represents The Nylon Admirals’ return to recording after a health issue forced an extended break for most of 2021.

Aptly, the song is a reflection on the struggle from darkness back into light — a light at the end of the tunnel — whether personal or societal. With that sort of commitment and resolve, it feels as if The Nylon Admirals may have already earned their stripes.

The Nylon Admirals are a Seattle-based instrumental act, creating an exciting and eclectic blend of electronic, acoustic, orchestral, and choral elements fused with Breakbeat and Taiko rhythms. Formed in 2019, this group’s specific mission has been to inject the drama and richness of cinematic music into an often tepid modern electronica scene. Citing such influences as legendary British multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, Hans Zimmer, and Björk, it’s easy to see where the Nylon Admirals got such a driving and impactful timbre for their productions.

“Morgunsár” hardly stands alone in its epic magnitude among the duo’s additional offerings; other notable works include “Sono Binario,” a unique opera / chiptune mashup, and their big beat / orchestral cover of the Soundgarden classic “Black Hole Sun,” featuring a vocal performance by digital pop star, Hatsune Miku.

“Morgunsár” is available now.

Pete Townshend & Roger Daltrey: ‘The Who Sell Out’ Released in 1967 and Their Legacy

Eric Alper
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Pete Townshend & Roger Daltrey: ‘The Who Sell Out’ Released in 1967 and Their Legacy

The legendary guitarist of The Who, Pete Townshend connects with Zane Lowe to reflect on the band’s third studio album ‘The Who Sell Out’ which propelled their career back in 1967. Celebrating the deluxe version of this standout record, Pete Townshend talks about the storytelling throughout this concept album, influencing how other musicians approached their sound, and moments that shaped The Who’s legacy. Roger Daltrey also reflects on creating the record, his involvement with the Teenage Cancer Trust charity in the UK, and motivation for the band’s future. Listen to The Who on Apple Music: http://apple.co/_TheWho

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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