Matt Mays

Matt Mays
Matt Mays at the 2008 Ottawa Bluesfest
Background information
Born	August 10, 1979 (1979-08-10) (age 32) Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Origin	Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada
Genres	Indie rock, folk rock, electronic
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, harmonica, tenor saxophone, keyboards
Years active	1990s–present
Labels	Sonic
Associated acts	Matt Mays & El Torpedo, The Guthries, Sam Roberts Band
Website	MattMays.com
Members
Matt Mays Adam Baldwin Jay Smith Dale Murray Serge Sampson Damien Moynihan
Past members
Jarrett Murphy Tim Jim Baker Andy Patil Rob Crowell
Notable instruments
Gibson SG Gretsch White Falcon Fender Telecaster Red 1972 Gretsch Nashville Fender Telecaster Thinline

Matt Mays (born August 10, 1979) is a Canadian singer-songwriter and was the lead singer of Matt Mays & El Torpedo, a rock music group based in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia and New York City. Previously, Mays was a member of a Canadian indie band The Guthries. Mays was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and grew up in Nova Scotia.

Career

Matt Mays

At the 2005 Juno Awards, Mays presented an award, and was himself nominated for New Artist of the Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year for his self-titled album.

In February 2006, Mays appeared with the Symphony Nova Scotia in their Rising Star series on the Dalhousie University campus.

In April 2006, fellow Canadian rocker Sam Roberts released his new album titled Chemical City. Mays performed on the track "Uprising Down Under".

Matt Mays & El Torpedo

Matt Mays & El Torpedo consisted of Jay Smith (guitar, vocals), Andy Patil (bass, vocals), Tim Baker (drums), and Adam Baldwin (keyboard). Previously, Mays toured with the Atlantic Canadian group The Guthries.

"Cocaine Cowgirl" received saturation airplay on Canadian rock radio in 2005, and its video heavy rotation on MuchMusic. At the 2006 East Coast Music Awards, MM&ET were nominated for entertainer of the year, group of the year, radio rock recording of the year, album of the year, and single of the year (for "Cocaine Cowgirl"), and won all of these but entertainer of the year award. They closed out the national broadcast of the event with "Cocaine Cowgirl". As he introduced the band, host Mike Smith (Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys) said that they were one of his favourite bands. In Maclean's magazine, Ron MacLean of Hockey Night in Canada listed Matt Mays & El Torpedo among the artists whose music he "never leaves home without."

In 2006 Matt Mays and El Torpedo released a music video for their single "Time of Your Life ('til You're Dead)", directed by Drew Lightfoot. The video was filmed in Kensington Market, Toronto. This particular video features the card manipulations of American comedian and magician Erik Tait. This video received notice in the magic world after it was pointed out that the card manipulation with the box is physically impossible. This particular manipulation was achieved by filming Erik's hands then playing the footage backward. The card work is also acclaimed in this video as members of the band perform some of the manipulations.

Matt Mays & El Torpedo performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in December 2006.^[1]

When the Angels Make Contact

Matt Mays' project When the Angels Make Contact, released on November 7, 2006, is a soundtrack to Mays' unfinished film of the same name. Regarding the origin of the idea, Mays stated: "I had this album that was based on the theme of an all-nighter. It started when the sun went down and ended when the sun came up. Then I thought, 'That would make a good movie.'"^[1] The album flows with the themes of the movie, following the character J.J. Carver, a motorcyclist on a quest.^[2] The music video for the title track and the "movie trailer" were both directed by Drew Lightfoot. Although much of the movie was shot in early 2006, production then stalled due to lack of financing.^[1] Sam Roberts has a cameo role as an Australian surfer. The album features Buck 65, Skratch Bastid, and Rose Cousins, among others.

Terminal Romance

The last album, Terminal Romance, was released on July 8, 2008. Singles, "Tall Trees" and "Building a Boat" have received heavy airplay on Canadian radio, including CBC Radio 3.

Throughout July 2008, Matt Mays and El Torpedo toured with Kid Rock in support of their new album.^[3]

On December 12, 2008 Matt Mays & El Torpedo received 5 East Coast Music Association Nominations including Group Recording Of The Year and Songwriter Of The Year.

Disbanding of El Torpedo

Matt Mays & El Torpedo officially disbanded in June 2009 with the departure of Andy Patil and Tim Baker, however Adam Baldwin and Jay Smith have remained with Mays. The band added three new members, including drummer Damien Moynihan and former The Guthries members Serge Samson and Dale Murray. In addition to playing in The Guthries, Murray has played guitar and pedal steel on each previous Matt Mays album.^[4]

Discography

• Matt Mays (2002)
• Matt Mays + El Torpedo (2005)
• When the Angels Make Contact (2006)
• Terminal Romance (2008)
• iTunes Session (2011)

Singles

• "City of Lakes" (2002)
• "Cocaine Cowgirl" (2005)
• "On the Hood" (2005)
• "Time of your Life" (2005)
• "When the Angels Make Contact" feat. Buck 65 (2006)
• "850 Commando" (2006)
• "Wasn't Meant To Be" (2007)
• "Tall Trees" (2008)
• "Building a Boat" (2008)
• "Terminal Romance" (2009)
• "Queen of Portland Street" (2010)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Wagner, Vit (2007-01-18). "Soundtrack? Check. Film? Well ... Matt Mays tours with the album that he's still working on a film to accompany". Toronto Star. p. G2. http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/171732. Retrieved 2008-06-15. 
2. ^ Conner, Shawn (2007-01-25). "Matt Mays risks his sanity to tell the story of a dude on a quest". The Georgia Straight. http://www.straight.com/article-67158/matt-mays-risks-his-sanity-to-tell-the-story-of-a-dude-on-a-quest. Retrieved 2008-06-14. 
3. ^ Tour Page
4. ^ Mays, Matt (2009-06-03.). "A note from Matt...". Matt Mays & El Torpedo Official Website. http://www.mattmays.com/index.html. Retrieved 2009-06-03. 

External links

• MattMays.com, Matt Mays official site
• Matt Mays & El Torpedo at New Music Canada (includes sample music)
• Official website for the "…When The Angels Make Contact" project (samples, videos)
• 49music, fansite
• Sonic Records media sheet
• The Mod Club, Toronto 2007.01.20: Matt Mays - When The Angels Make Contact (Live Video),Photos, Review, by CanadaJams.ca

Persondata
Name	Mays, Matt
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Date of birth	1979-08-10
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Date of death
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