Interview :: Matt Foster :: True Needs

Photo of Matt Foster, lying on their back? smiling

by Jesse Popeski

Stylus: You have your take on “Billy in the Low Ground” on the album and fingerpicking guitar on songs like “Don’t Lie About Your Dreams. How does folk music fit into the picture?

Matt Foster: Protest music would’ve been how I found folk music. The power of bringing people together, politically throwing a wrench in the gears. There are all kinds of things in folk music that I love, how you don’t have to be good in terms of playing to get up on the stage; it’s very equalizing; it’s everyone’s music. In terms of direct influences, I don’t pull on it directly. Live, I’ll slow “Billy in the Low Ground” down and play a crooked version. I’ll reference the tune, but I’ll play the B section first, I’ll play it super slow. No one plays fiddle music really slow; everyone’s racing to be that athlete. But if I just let the strings ring, let them create chords in the sustained spots, there’s a beautiful harmonic sadness. I try hard not to define anything lyrically, harmonically, I try not to let anything get boxed in, so the ear settles – I like this sense of the unsettled.

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WEAVES

By Margaret Banka

Weaves is a Juno- and Polaris-nominated indie-rock band based in Toronto and currently on tour for their second full-length album Wide Open, which was released in late 2017.  Stylus had the chance to catch up with vocalist and songwriter, Jasmyn Burke, to talk about being a female lead, a killer Canadian compilation, surprising inspiration for the next album, and Trump (but really only a little, we promise).  Don’t miss Weaves at the Good Will Social Club tonight, with locals Mise en Scene and Mulibrgub opening! Continue reading “WEAVES”

Big Fun

By Chris Bryson

The Big Fun festival has been going on since 2012 and has become a beloved staple and growing fixture of the Winnipeg music scene. Since its inception, the multi-genre festival has been evolving and changing. It is now comprised of four members, and covers 14 shows over 5 days at multiple different locations. Continue reading “Big Fun”