Matt Andersen Talks New Album 'Coal Mining Blues'

News breadcrumbsplit Sep 19 2011

Matt Andersen Talks New Album 'Coal Mining Blues'
By Jason SchneiderIt's been a busy year for Cape Breton singer/guitarist Matt Andersen that started when he became the first Canadian to win the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in early 2010. That quickly led to an offer to open a string of dates for Old Crow Medicine Show, and now the 30-year-old is poised for even bigger things with the release of his new album, Coal Mining Blues, released Tuesday (September 20) on Kitchener, ON-based Busted Flat Records.

Production was handled by Colin Linden -- one-third of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings -- who brought Andersen to his familiar stomping grounds of Woodstock, NY, and specifically, Levon Helm's studio. Guests on the album include Helm's former Band-mate Garth Hudson, as well as Helm's daughter Amy on backing vocals.

Andersen recently told Exclaim!, "I've been getting to do a lot of stuff that I've dreamed of doing, like a national tour and recording with Colin at Levon's studio. Having Colin produce this one was great, because I got to spend some time hanging out with him at his home in Nashville, which prepared me really well for the actual recording sessions."

A tireless road warrior who up until now has averaged over 200 shows a year on his own, Andersen agrees that the album's blue-collar theme is a reflection of his own work ethic.

"I grew up in a small town and both of my folks are self-employed. But the song 'Coal Mining Blues' came out of living in Cape Breton for the past year and a half, even though most of the guys who worked in the mines here have had to take on different roles in the community. That hard-working East Coast vibe is just something that was bred into me."

In support of Coal Mining Blues, Andersen has lined up a long string of Canadian fall tour dates. You can see the complete schedule here

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Just an FYI -- he's from New Brunswick, not Cape Breton.
Nameless poseur,
Do you take the time to read an entire article before you get yourself tied up in a knot? Chill out! Being a very proud New Brunswicker, I really don't think Matt would ever refer to Cape Breton as "home," in the strictest sense of the word. What kind of a person would ever deny his/her roots? Matt's much too loyal for that! However that being said, Matt has lived in Cape Breton for the past year and a half(as mentioned in the article) and likes the people there very much.He considered Cape Breton to be home away from home.Matt is a true Canadian and not at all predjudiced about where in this great country one comes from( or where in the world you come from,in fact.) He's an honest and hardworking guy who respects his fellow man. Give him a break! If only we had a smidgeon of his talent and personality! Good luck to him wherever his future may lie in the world! I would feel proud and honored if he mentioned that he was residing in my province,state district,town or city. Some people will never ever be happy in life. They just try to find fault where absolutely none exists. How negative and sad is that! Such bullying behavior! What a pity!!!!! You sound so callous!
Matt Andersen is the most talented man in North America!
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