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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – April 13, 2017
For fans of Ryan Adams, Sam Roberts, Matt Mays, The Arkells, Tragically Hip
Okanagan BC Dates: Canadian Harmonica Rocking MATT BLAIS + New Video ‘Set Me Free’
With every note and word, Matt Blais stands out as a spirited and hardworking musician. His signature raspy vocals and blistering blues harmonica are the unique cornerstones of a high energy live show that has captivated audiences across Canada and in countries around the world. Having shared the stage with the likes of Blue Rodeo, The Trews, Moist, The Glorious Sons, Big Wreck, Charlie Winston and more, the charismatic musician returns to British Columbia’s Okanagan for dates this May in Revelstoke, Grinrod, Birch Island and Enderby.
Show Dates:
May 9 – Banff, AB – The Rose n Crown (202 Banff Ave) – No Cover – 10pm – 18+
May 10 – Banff, AB – The Rose n Crown (202 Banff Ave) – No Cover – 10pm – 18+
May 11 – Revelstoke, BC – The Last Drop (220 3 St W.) – 10pm – 19+
May 12 – Grindrod, BC – The Riverfront Pub (6927 BC 97A – No cover – 8:30pm – 19+
May 13 – Birch Island, BC – Serenity Music Performing Arts Centre House Concert Series (2461 Lost Creek Road) For tickets – Phone: 250-676-9456 – 7pm Start. $20. All Ages.
May 14 – Enderby, BC – Lorenzo’s Cafe (901 Mabel Lake Road) – (Mother’s Day show) 8pm – $10
Blais’ latest single / music video ‘Set Me Free’ was released during October of last year to follow his 2013 album ‘The Heartbeat’.
The video captures the Canadian roots-rock artist with a vintage backdrop of the desert like a nomadic rebel on a true adventure. The single is produced by Brian Moncarz (Our Lady Peace, The Trews, Circa Survive).
Watch ‘Set Me Free’ at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw4azvRPwMU
Powerful vocals, electrifying harmonica, and emotive performances are the characteristics that have made Matt Blais an artist of high regard. With the ability to enthrall audiences as a solo performer or thrill them with his band, the charismatic Blais expands the Canadiana genre by sharpening the edge of rock, blues, and folk. He is at home on stage, with many tours, festivals, and performances in Canada and countries around the world. Sharing the stage with some of Canada’s biggest acts like Blue Rodeo, The Trews, and The Strumbellas, (to name a few), has helped shape Blais into a consummate showman. Matt’s independently released recordings have garnered critical acclaim, sold thousands of copies, led to a collaboration with Sam Roberts, and earned him multiple awards such as “The Great American Song Contest” in 2016. His proudest accomplishment, however, is the lasting relationship he has with his fans. Having almost frozen to death when the tour van broke down in northern Canada to dragging his guitar through the Australian outback, Matt Blais is a dedicated troubadour in search of authentic experiences. He is living proof that hard work and honest artistry are present in today’s world and still desired by music lovers.
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“Frontman Matt Blais knows how to work a crowd and he is far from afraid of showing off his talents.” – The Scene Magazine (Live Review – Indie Week 2013)
“Over the past five years, Matt Blais has been generating a catalogue of material that is both emotive and relatable. His passionate live performances demonstrate eagerness to create heartfelt songs and nowhere is more evident than on his newest album, The Heartbeat, where a poetic personality fuses with growing life experience.” – Beatroute AB.
That success, he says, has nudged him to step his game up, as a performer and songwriter, which he thinks he’s done with his latest release The Heartbeat,” – Calgary Herald
“Blais uses heavily-charged emotional lyrics as well as a gritty band behind him to produce a blues-slash-rock sounds, which has been commended by many local media sources. His sound is highlighted by a sometimes raspy voice, which helps to fill the total appearance of the band.” – Grande Prairie Herald
“His high energy set was a definite crowd pleaser, and everyone was up out of their seats for the entire performance. With a voice reminiscent of The Cat Empire (minus the accent), Blais powered through his rock songs, and showed his ability to go in a bluesy direction, with accompanying harmonica, that really brings out the grit in his vocals. Keeping with the theme of the opening acts, Blais brought in a cover of “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz that was thundering, with good horn additions to make it his own. He transitioned smoothly to Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition“, but a version that was slower, harder and very slick. Next, a cover of Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out“, full of the same joy and energy that Blais showed with the rest of the set, highlighting the great new material on the release. Fans eagerly streamed to the merch table, securing their own copy, which came free with paid entrance to the show.” – Live Review – YYC Music Calgary
Blankfest Calgary CBC Interview – http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2012/11/04/calgary-blankfest-blanket-mustard-seed.html
“Firmly rooted in many of the genres that Matt Blais incorporates into his music, his raspy yet refined vocals point each song in the direction it was originally intended.” – Phylicia Tran – Spun – The Gauntlet
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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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