Matthew Good

Consistent, honest and forthright about everything from life to music, Matthew Good is one of few Canadian musicians that requires no introduction.

In 2007, that candidness revealed itself as Hospital Music, an album dedicated to the ordeal Good was thrust into when dealing with bipolarity. Using the creativity of music to work through the revelation and realism of that diagnosis, Good and his followers formed an unbreakable bond based on what proved to be one of his most impeccable albums. Hospital Music ventured beyond Canadian borders, finding lifelong, passionate fans across North America thanks to Good’s genuine account of a personal journey battling mental illness to find balance and happiness.

In 2009, Good’s sincerity finds him in an enviable place: alive, feeling fine and more inspired than ever before. His personal anguish and frustrations dealt with, Good now tackles new territory: the outside world. He has dubbed this journey “Vancouver”, a dedication to and examination of his experiences living in the world-renowned city for the better part of his life; the land responsible for forming many of his personal reflections and opinions on the world. Good broaches all spectrums of that home, delving into the individual, economic, and social impact Vancouver’s many facets incite. From straightforward rock to the infusion of strings which offer a lushness and bold atmosphere to the album, “Vancouver” offers fans the familiarity of Good’s inherent style yet accents and bolsters his need for diversity and advancement.

On “The Vancouver National Anthem,” Good has many observations about the contradictions of what’s going on within the city, a track boasting/solidifying the union of Good and artist Pete Yorn. Becoming fast friends by way of mutual admiration, there was no doubt that Yorn was compelled to document their bond through recording together.

As with the bulk of Good’s catalogue, Vancouver was recorded at The Warehouse Studio, a comfortable, familiar working environment Good could almost call his personal space at this point in time. Joined by the majority of his live band-journeymen and session players who have truly connected with Good’s own vision and direction-”Vancouver” is easily Good’s most coherent, enduring, and indelibly appreciable work to date.