An exceptional songwriter and a transnational band in service of an “Empire of Love”; the story behind the new Matt Epp recording sounds like great cinema. Amoria, which was given it’s name from the Latin root for ‘Love’, is not a city, not a country; it’s an Empire. But don’t look for Amoria on any map except the one Matt draws on his new album, At Dawn.
The album was recorded live-off-the-floor in Winnipeg, with additional tracking done in Granada, Spain and around Canada. The songs have incredible diversity sonically, while topically they remain loyal to the matters of the heart and soul Epp is known for. They range from a plea for communication with a lover in Don’t Let The Sun Go Down, to the ominous confession of the hit-song Met Someone. Come To My House carries on in the tradition of They Won’t Find The Bodies from his last release, while New Sunglasses joyfully announces a new accessible growth in his musical vision. From the cajon-driven, acoustic declaration of love Never Have I Loved Like This to the almost-punk rocker Trap Me, this is sophisticated songwriting.
The heartbeat of the band consists of Joel Couture, a captivating French-Canadian bassist from Winnipeg, Canada, and Antonio Lomas, the charismatic drummer/percussionist that Epp recruited from Granada, Spain. Several other musicians fill out the band and the album- most notably Spanish piano/Hammond/Wurlitzer wizard Raul “El Profesor” Bernal, and guitarist Brent Warren, who worked in Epp’s band on his critically acclaimed 2009 release, Safe Or Free.
Special guests include Toronto’s Bahamas on the opening track, and Halifax chanteuse Rose Cousins on Never Have I Loved Like This. Antonio Lomas’ famed Spanish band Lori Meyers helped on New Sunglasses, and The Weber Brothers, the current manifestation of the legendary Ronnie Hawkins’ Hawks, joined in on Come To My House.
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The 12 songs on 'Safe of Free' showcase Epp's dynamic vocal range and unique songwriting. From the unshakeable love duet This Old House (with Eliza Gilkyson), the dynamic commercial radio ready Working Holiday, to the Ryan Adams-esque rock of Cover Me, and the haunting duets They Won't Find The Bodies (with Brandy Zdan of Twilight Hotel) and I Am The Wind (with Jesse DeNatale).
Emerging from the rich music community of Winnipeg, MB, Matt Epp is known for his diverse personal and musical connections including collaborations with Eliza Gilkyson, Jesse DeNatale, Matt Mays among others. His pre-music history includes professional skateboard film-making and acting, and his preference for homelessness and hitchhiking over a fixed address. His previous release 'Orphan Horse' (2008) was a favorite on CBC radio and Alberta's CKUA radio network. Matt will be on tour in support of 'Safe or Free' in the fall of 2009 in Canada and Europe in early 2010.
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