Matthew Good

Description

The phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” doesn’t apply to Matthew Good. A defining characteristic of this Canadian rock icon is exactly the opposite of that popular axiom. Over his almost two-decade career, Good has taken us on a journey. From The Matthew Good Band to Hospital Music, to his 2011 JUNO winning release, Vancouver, Good continually pushes forward into uncharted territory; mapping new musical landscapes most recently showcased on his latest release, Lights Of Endangered Species (May 31, 2011).

Lights Of Endangered Species takes Good in an unfamiliar direction, displaying arrangements that are a distinct departure from the likes of “Born Losers” and “Last Parade.” Stark and passionate best describe Good’s latest effort and despite its differences from the Matthew Good we are familiar with, the record still sits comfortably with his fans.

Purposefully taking the album to a new place was a conscious decision that Good and producer, Warne Livesey, made when creating Lights Of Endangered Species. Recorded near his home in Port Coquitlam, B.C., the record’s nine tracks are an exhilarating example of Good’s growth as an artist, focusing less on “radio friendly” material and showcasing unique phrasing and instrumentation that is perhaps new to his fans. This is best displayed on tracks like the piano driven “Non Populus,” running over eight minutes long, anchored by the phrase “done something different.”

It’s clear on Good’s most recent effort that he has, in fact, done something different; and that something reaffirms Good’s place as one of Canada’s most relevant artists. Clearly inspired by new influences artistically, yet remaining inherently recognizable, Lights Of Endangered Species is easily Good’s most exciting and meaningful record to date.

And how does Good feel about his most recent work? “I’d just gotten off stage,” recalls Good. “I was sitting in the dressing room with Shawn, my record company A&R rep, and the subject of the new record came up. I lit a cigarette, looked at him, and said ‘Well, it’s the best record I’ve ever made...’ then I paused, exhaled, looked at him out of the corner of my eye and said – ‘...but I don’t know what the fuck you’re going to do with it.’”

In just one year, Miami native Emily Greene was able to pull off more than most New York musicians can pull off in five years. She self released her debut album “Is This What You Had In Mind” to a sold out show at NYC’s Joe’s Pub, her music was featured on nationally aired tv shows such as Covert Affairs, the hit new TV series on the USA Network which shares soundtrack credits with other illustrious singer-songwriters and artists like Brandi Carlile, Florence & The Machine, Ray LaMontagne, Broken Bells, and Wilco, she’s toured nationally and been chosen as an opening act for folk favorite Dar Williams to Pop UK soul songstress Eliza Doolittle and has played packed shows at notorious New York City rock clubs to silent and mesmerized fans. Not to mention her collection of glowing reviews- some saying she is a ‘snarkier Tori Amos’, and another saying that same comparison is too cliche for her. Time Out New York states she is a mix between “Liz Phair’s brusque gal-rock and Norah Jones’ husky coffee-tableisms.”; The bottom line is Emily Greene climbed her way out of the pool of hundreds- maybe thousands of singer/songwriters in the big city alone and has been getting tons of the right kind of attention.

Before Emily even released her debut album, a number of industry leaders gathered behind her, beginning with Dan Romer, producer behind artists like Ingrid Michaelson and Jenny Owen Youngs. Dan teamed up with Emily to self release her debut album, Is This What You Had in Mind on June 1st, 2010. She began touring shortly thereafter and booking residencies at major New York clubs like Rockwood Music Hall. Gail Marowitz, Grammy award-winning art director, created original earth friendly one of a kind artwork for the album packaging. The album boasts layered harmonies and slow grooves, with memorable hooks like “Oceans and Waves” mixed with heavier pop anthems like “Starting Fresh.” The title track, “Is This What You Had in Mind,” is a dissonant melancholic confession that resolves in arpeggios and harmonies that haunt the corners of your mind long after the song ends.

Emily credits the uniqueness of her sound to the jazz and experimental rock circles she connected with while attending Berklee College of Music. Entering as a pianist, she became a staple in the Boston music scene, starting with her independent rock project, Imoto, and then branching off to create her own solo project gaining attention from jazz legends such as Terri Lyne Carrington and Joanne Brackeen. Her experience in the jazz world paired with her emotive and catchy songwriting led her to being a favorite in the community, and with an album in the works she left for New York City to pursue the dream of developing and sharing her music more widely.

Emily Greene is now working on recording a follow up album and is collaborating with renowned pianist Pascal Le Bouef on a trip hop album under the name ‘Kissy Girls’.