In the tranquil corners of Warkworth, Ontario, a musical force is emerging, capturing hearts with a sound that's both familiar and refreshingly new. Matthew Holtby, whose music is creating ripples across Ontario and beyond, is making waves with his latest release.
Holtby’s new single, “Reading This Now,” is a breezy Sunday drive of a Pop/Rock song that showcases his knack for crafting emotive and thoughtful tunes. With a sound that effortlessly blends mainstream, Americana, and Roots Rock, Holtby’s music is catching the ear in much the same way my favourite Scottish band, Del Amitri, once did. I’m not suggesting that Holtby is a carbon copy of Del Amitri, but there’s a magnetic draw in his music that evokes that same feeling of discovery I experienced when I first heard them back in Scotland. Trust me, that’s a good thing.
The song is the first of several singles Holtby plans to release this year, as he describes himself as being in his “most prolific time of writing ever.” This latest release is the second of 2024, and it’s clear that Holtby is in top form. His longtime friend and producer, Michael Phillips, plays a key role, steering Holtby’s band towards Scott Middleton's High Wattage Cottage Studios near Belleville for drum tracking. The cover art, a fitting photo taken by Holtby’s father and bandmate, perfectly compliments the song’s vibe. It’s one of those tracks you’ll want to roll down the windows for and turn up the volume.
For the past two decades, Matthew Holtby has been crafting heartfelt music, whether as the frontman of bands like The Coachlites, Say Ritual, or The Champion Heartache. Now, he’s charting a new course under his own name, and it’s exciting to see where this journey leads.
Before diving into music full time, Holtby was a familiar voice in the broadcasting industry, having been an On-Air Personality for stations in Oshawa and Peterborough. He now finds himself in a serene town surrounded by rolling hills, part of a vibrant community of artists and musicians.
With his fresh release and a promising trajectory ahead, Matthew Holtby is one artist you’ll want to keep an eye on. His blend of catchy melodies and storytelling lyrics is sure to resonate with many, and as he continues to draw inspiration from his surroundings and past experiences, there’s no telling just how far his music will reach.
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Stevie Connor is originally from Scotland, for the last 16 years he has been based just outside of Toronto in the GTA.
He is a recorded artist having contributed to more than twenty albums in the past, ranging from rock to folk and Celtic music. He is a top class piper and plays guitar and whistles, his original compositions have been recorded and played by other artists.
He is the founder and editor of The Sound Cafe Magazine and co-founder of Blues and Roots Radio, he has written in the past for Blues and Roots Radio (Canada), Great Dark Wonder (USA), Fatea Magazine (UK) and Music World Media (Australia). Stevie has contributed his many years of experience as a respected juror for the JUNO Awards, The Canadian Folk Music Awards, and the Maple Blues Awards in Canada.
Find out more about Stevie Connor...
Unsung Hero Award 2023
Substack
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