MATT MAYS as part of the TORONTO URBAN ROOTS FESTIVAL at Fort York Garrison Common (100 Garrison), Saturday (July 6), 4:20 pm. Single-day pass $50-$170, four-day pass, $150-$350. torontourbanrootsfest.com. See listing.
One of the most anticipated sets of this weekend’s inaugural Toronto Urban Roots Festival (TURF) is Matt Mays. The singer/songwriter reached new heights on his lauded 2012 album, Coyote, with his innovative mix of electronic and folk rock soundscapes. But it’s also his first local appearance since the passing of bandmate and dear friend guitarist Jay Smith in March. Mays spoke to NOW about performing through grief, artist collaboration and what he’s excited to see at TURF.
Dave Bookman: You just came off a U.S. tour with Gaslight Anthem. How did you and Brian Fallon get on?
Matt Mays: I really like him, because he lets you talk about songwriting. We’d sit for hours and talk about chord progressions. Not everyone is into that.
I told him I was a fan of the song National Anthem off their latest record, Handwritten, and he was nice enough to ask me to join him onstage and play it in front of 3,000 people at Stubb’s in Austin, Texas. We’re going to do more together in the future.
DB: It must have been difficult to play shows immediately after Jay died. How did you come to that decision?
MM: Some people said, “How can you be playing the next night when you just lost your friend?”
To me and the guys in my band, music isn’t just for fun times, it’s for all times. There was no question in our mind we were going to play on. We wanted to get a hold of his family and make sure it was okay with them and explain why we were doing it. We needed to play.
The audiences in Calgary and Vancouver were great. At the Commodore, a group of people showed up early and set up this little shrine where Jay would normally stand, laid out candles, a nice blanket and a couple of bottles of booze.
I’m proud of my band for making that decision to forge ahead. I know Jay would have been super-pissed if we cancelled shows on account of him.
DB: The benefit shows you played for Jay back home on the East Coast were special. It was amazing to be able to watch them live online.
MM: It was nuts. Having it streamed and shared by all who were close to him was incredible. More than 15,000 people watched it live and over $200,000 was raised for his family.
DB: How are you preparing for your TURF set now that there has been some distance from everything?
MM: It’s hard. It’s setting in that he’s not coming back. He’s with us on an emotional level. There’s a hole in the band that has to be filled. We’re not doing it with parts and arrangements we’re doing it with heart.
DB: Who are you looking forward to seeing at TURF?
MM: The Hold Steady. I’m already a fan, and Brian insists I see them live.
TURF covers four days and much musical territory. Get grass space early and catch these five under-the-radar-ish acts.
CAMERA OBSCURA
(Thursday, July 4, 6:50 pm)
The Scottish band’s just-released fifth album, Desire Lines, features appearances by fellow TURF artist Neko Case as well as My Morning Jacket’s Jim James.
FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS
(Friday, July 5, 8:10 pm)
The L.A. soul-poppers may have a new dance move or two. They’ve just finished a string of dates with Bruno Mars.
LOWEST OF THE LOW
(Saturday, July 6, 6:50 pm)
The beloved Toronto foursome are finalizing plans to enter Revolution Recording in September to complete their fourth studio LP.
KURT VILE
(Sunday, July 7, 2 pm)
The Philly fuzz addict has released one of the year’s best records, Wakin On A Pretty Daze, whose pastoral pickings will soar in the Sunday sun.
LARRY & HIS FLASK
(Saturday, July 6, 11:30 am)
The bluegrass punkers set the bar with a hat trick of TURF appearances, including a TURF Nights show Friday at the Horseshoe and a Sunday-nighter at Lee’s Palace with 2012 tour mate Frank Turner.
