WESTLOCK — Edmonton based singer, songwriter Travis Matthews is bringing his unique style of alternative folk music to Westlock, when he performs here Jan. 12 as part of the Westlock Cultural Arts Theatre Society’s (CATS) concert series.
The 28-year old artist, who has been performing for the past 20 years, will be joined by his father Gordon, who is an accomplished and talented musician as well, having travelled and performed extensively across the country with Canadian music icon Ian Tyson for a 10-year period.
“My first performance, I think I was eight. Me and my dad played Four Strong Winds at my elementary school, so we’ve been playing together for a long time,” said Matthews, noting he and his father’s recent collaboration as a performing duo and work on several news songs, some which are featured on Matthew’s first CD, released last fall.
The duo often perform on stage together, playing guitar, singing and performing a variety of music genres, as they will when Matthews comes to town for his Westlock debut later this week.
“I do play harmonica as well,” he said. “It’s mostly going to be (a concert of) folk alternative stuff,” said Matthews. “In that realm we play a lot of blues and my dad used to play with Ian Tyson so we might throw an Ian Tyson cover in.”
While Matthews himself has toured and performed for many years, he released his first record in October called ‘Dreamer’s Son.’
“(My dad’s) always been playing in my bands that I’ve put together and we’re starting to write our own tunes as well,” explained Matthews, noting the new journey the father-son duo are embarking on with more performances featuring both of them on stage together. “I’ve been watching him do it my whole life so it’s just always been something I wanted to do as well.”
Matthews said he wants to share music with Westlock residents and provide an easy-going, joyful experience for the audience.
“It’s a pretty light-hearted show,” said Matthews. “We’re just playing music that we love so I hope that comes across to the people.”
