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Local Guides
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CAMBRIDGE BEAT
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by Mandy Richardson
March 4 - 10. 2010 |
 “Will has no axe to grind; no political agenda. However, the themes of freedom, defiance, and personal choice do wind through his songs. He believes everyone should be free to experience true love, a broken heart, a dysfunctional family, and their own dreams; and he should be free to sing about them in either a serious or humorous way.” The passage from www.willmatthewsmusic.com that piqued my desire to interview Will Matthews for this week’s Cambridge Beat.
CB: For those who are new to Will Matthews, describe yourself.
WM: I'd say I was a singer/songwriter but I really dislike that term; conjures up too many images of guys up on stage with guitars warbling badly. So let's say I'm a local musician taking a keen interest in the area music scene. I write original songs, a couple of which have done well locally on internet play sites like ReverbNation. 'Miss Harriston' is currently #8 on the local Country chart there. My songs have gotten featured locally on radio (CJIQ and CKWS) and some songs have received national and international radio play. I play many live gigs in the area solo, and with my full band, ‘The Starewells’. I host an Open Mike every week at Murphy's Cove in Galt. I also run a series of 'house concerts' in my studio space called Heatlamp on Ainslie St. in Galt.
CB: Where do you see yourself headed in the future?
WM: My goal is to be able to continue to make a living playing and writing music. Nothing lofty. I don't need radio success to let me know I 'made it'. Two things I am currently working towards: I would like to get a song or two placed in a movie; an indie project or something like that. Also, am trying to put together two small tours; one of Eastern Ontario and hopefully one of Germany and Holland. Apparently I have some fans there! I am also getting ready to shoot a video for 'Miss Harriston' and am recruiting females that look good in tanks tops: the stringy-strap kind.
CB: What inspires you?
MW: Places with water. I grew up near Lake Erie and water definitely makes me feel inspired. I wrote a lot of the songs for 'We Appreciate Your Business’ at a cottage in Tobermory right on the water. Also relationships, of course: good, bad and ugly. And I try to keep a sense of humour in many of my songs. I'm a big Danny Michel fan, and one thing that he does better than most is to inject a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour in a lot of his work.
CB: What is ‘Heatlamp’ all about?
WM: It is simply the area’s newest, most exciting and intimate space for live music, located at 18B Ainslie St. S., (rear entrance) Cambridge, Ontario. In a nutshell, it is a recording and rehearsal space, an acoustically amazing performance space, a learning space, a creative area where music can be sown, grown and known, a gallery space, and a gathering place for musicians, music lovers and artists.
CB: Do you offer classes at Heatlamp?
WM: Yes. Whether you are a child or an adult, learning music should be fun. Sure it’s challenging to learn a new skill as well, but if you’re not having fun, you’re not going to want to keep playing. At Heatlamp we focus on beginners. We want kids and adults who want to learn guitar in a fun and relaxing environment. We focus on learning the acoustic guitar. We take a holistic approach to music and incorporate rhythm study, basic percussion and timing into learning about guitar tablature, chording, picking and other techniques. Our lessons are done in groups and sessions run 45-60 minutes.
CB: Perfect. Thanks Will!
WM: My pleasure. And thank YOU, CB!
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