Canadian singer and lyricist Matt Andersen has a relentless work ethic. He seems to have been touring or recording new music since the early 2000s. Anderson immediately cites his father, a self-employed tree recorder, who has worked in the northern woods of New Brunswick, the local province of Anderson.
“He always told me he wanted to work for himself,” Anderson told Rolling stones. "And I've been in my mind."
Cellular service summoned from Halifax, Nova Scotia, not far from his home, and was spotted and scratched at best. This is Andersen's distance not only from the American border, but also the southern origin of the music he advocates, and exudes such a beautiful range-Delta Blues, Memphis Souls and Appalachians.
“Many people I listened to, playing Blues in Canada (in Canada) and they learned the blues from the first generation they met, who met and played clubs in Toronto,” he said. “I had to hear them with my own eyes.”
The crystallization of these unique genres is at the heart of Anderson's latest album Hammer and roses. Recording of 10 songs in his garage-turned-to-studio is a refreshing, exciting voice, especially for Canadian musicians whose opportunities are increasingly threatened by President Trump and his tariffs.
"The darkness calls you to the sea/drags you deeper," Anderson how called his powerful and towering baritone tremolo in "Catch me."
For 44-year-old Andersen, the journey here and now is long, but very wealthy. Earlier, he found himself gradually learning guitar in his hometown of Perth Andover, Gotun Brunswick (population: 1,574). By the age of 14, he finally got his six-string.
"Music is a big part of the culture there. We don't do board games, we play music," Anderson said. "The closest movie theaters are crossing the border, so if we want to do something like this, everything is traveling. We create our own fun. A lot of the time we spin around the music."
Every Saturday night, held at his grandfather’s home, the party is a way to connect with others and date in very rural times, especially during winter months below ice, snow and zero temperatures. Even then, Anderson was a sponge of music.
“When I was young, especially from a small town, we were at the mercy of anything on the radio,” Anderson said with a smile. "It's a classic rock and a country station. There's really nothing."
When it comes to blues and folk, Anderson has to look for holes in other influences and musical rabbits, whether it’s searching for guitar tags through the internet for obscure tunes or simply discovering Eric Clapton’s 1992 album plug.
"I have more stuff going into the blues stuff, just starting to branch," Anderson said.
In addition to the arduous nature of Canadian cross-country travel, there is a line of boundaries that artists break into the United States from above the border. To once again attribute to his father’s work ethics, Anderson was able to overcome these obstacles.
"The thing that makes most people tired is something that makes me pull out," Anderson said. "Playing one end of the country and going to the other end the next night? I just like that. Without a guitar, I will never go. It's still great to wake up and play music."
A lot of that comes from Andersen's love for traveling and bringing his music to the new town. That is the “hell or high water” spirit he has always emphasized in his work. As long as he can serve someone, it doesn’t matter where the road is taken.
"Growing up and making a living as a musician isn't something you can really see. I'd better be an astronaut," Anderson said.
Like his famous Canadian songwriting heroes - Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Gord Downie, Andersen distiles the essence of the country's vast life in the songs, with love, friendship and passion.
“(with songwriting), you can tell people where people come from,” Anderson said. "It's almost like an accent - the way you speak, the way you write. With my writing, the local colloquialization is integrated into your own way."
Once he hit the tour, Anderson became a famous force in highways and remote areas in Greater North America. Average performances for a year, he found himself accepted as the sacred American blues circle and soon toured and performed with the Tedeschi Trucks band, Buddy Guy and Bo Diddley.
"My grandfather loved to play and whenever someone wanted to hear, he would think that someone could play," Anderson said. "When I started the exercise room with two or three people (attend) I always carried it with me."
Hammer and roses It was ultimately an ode to Andersen's father, now 77. Titled “Always Your Son,” the poignant melody thanks to someone who has believed in his children’s talents since day one, the ultimate fuel for people’s intentions in the creative field.
“You tell me every morning, ‘'''''''''''''''''''' You say, ‘Honest effort’ and send me/Mom to cry in you, that's all you have to say. ”
"He was the first to help me co-sign my vehicle so I could visit, and it was the first to help me get my PA system," Anderson told his father. "As he got older, it's father and son and more friends. I liked the idea (he instilled me) and you got rid of it. It motivated me."