Perth-Andover, New Brunswick based ‘bluesman’ Matt Andersen is more than just a bluesman.
He is just about to release his latest CD ‘Weightless,’ which has a touch of blues and a whole lot of soul and plenty of horns thanks to producer Steve Berlin.
“It is a departure — a little bit, but it’s still me. I got labelled as a bluesman, though I never actually recorded a blues album,” Andersen said from the interior of B.C, where he is two shows into the Canadian portion of his latest tour.
He comes to the Southminster United Church to play a show for the Geomatic Attic, Feb. 8.
“ I never wanted to fall into the Wilson Phillips style of songwriting where every song sounds the same,” he said.
“I don’t write for any specific genre.”
He enjoyed working with Steve Berlin, especially because of his horn arrangements.
“I loved it. I had a great time. He took a cool project to a new level, which I thought was really cool.”
Thanks to Berlin’s connections, he got an Austin band Grupo Fantasma to supply extra horns. And as a pleasant coincidence, Andersen was already familiar with the Mexican/ jazz flavoured work of Grupo Fantasma.
While there are horns, back up singers and a full rhythm section on the CD,
Andersen’s live shows are stripped down solo affairs.
“I play solo usually. I do four or five band shows a year, but most of the year it‘s just me and the guitar. I’m really comfortable doing solo shows,” he said.
“For this show, I’ll play a lot of new songs and some older songs. I have quite a few albums out now,” he said.
“I’ve never been one to make a set list. I’d rather just make it up as you go along,” he described.
“ And David Myles is with me. He’s really good, so we’ll do a couple of songs together. He wrote one of the songs on the CD,” he said.
Andersen played the Slice a few years ago and the Geomatic Attic once before.
“I’m looking forward to getting back there,” he said.
The Southminster United Church doors open at 7 p.m., Feb. 8 with David Myles beginning his set at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $30.
