“I feel bad for people who make an effort to be miserable,” says Canadian singer/songwriter Matt Andersen. “But it’s hard for their negativity to bother you when you don’t pay attention to it. Some people just aren’t worth the attention and effort.”
With his formidable build and behemoth of a voice, Andersen has spent the past 23 years diffusing just that sort of negative energy in one form or another in bars, clubs and theaters all over the world, touring with the likes of Marcus King, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Tab Benoit and Beth Hart. In the process, he’s racked up more than 31 million streams on Spotify and at least another 30 million views on YouTube. Accolades over the years include top honors in the solo category at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, CIMA Road Gold certification in 2015, a pair of European Blues Awards for best solo/acoustic act in 2013 and 2016 and, most recently, a Juno nomination for 2023’s Matt Andersen & The Big Bottle Of Joy.
Andersen’s upcoming release, The Hammer & The Rose, is his most unadorned and intimate to date. Working with award-winning producer Joshua Van Tassel, Andersen headed into the studio in Nova Scotia with Bahamas band members Afie Jurvanen (guitar) and Christine Bougie (lap steel), plus keyboardist Aaron Comeau and bassist Kyle Cunjak. All tracks were cut live with Van Tassel on drums and percussion. Premiering here, the live video for new single “Wayaheadaya” features that same lineup.
As for the song, it pointedly addresses the aforementioned naysayers Andersen has left in the dust. “The base idea is to not worry about the people who don’t worry about you,” he says. “There are lots of folks who will try to discourage you and hold you back. It’s best not to look back and just carry on.”
We’re proud to premiere Matt Anderson’s “Wayaheadaya.” Look for The Hammer & The Rose (Stubbyfingers/Sonic) April 25.
—Hobart Rowland
See Matt Anderson live.
