Matt Gower

“Matt Gower has a skill I wish I had — the ability to pick up an acoustic guitar and belt out an original song which is totally engrossing from start to finish. His music and aesthetic is naturally genuine, because that's exactly how he is as well. There's no gimmicks, no pretensions about artistry and troubadouratry, just bonafide human songs about everything from urban frustrations to personal regrets. You won't hear any autotune, filters, or electronic masking of any kind — just a pure voice with natural inflections which serves him well in both the melody and thematic undertone departments. His guitar playing is confident, well-recorded and not piled through a DI or beset with treatments. Vacated Shapes, which is Gower's second solo album, is instead like having the man himself sitting on the stump, lawn chair, trunk lid, or milk crate right in front of you. You can check him out on any streaming service, but I suggest his Bandcamp page where you get better sound, more info and a chance to purchase this collection of honest, excellent songs directly from the artist. This kind of creation needs to be rewarded, celebrated and encouraged.” - Doug Hempstead, CBC Ottawa, Area Resident

“It’s surprising to learn that Matt Gower has been a fixture of the Ottawa music scene for more than two decades. His latest songs are fresh yet poignant and deeply felt, capturing the urgency of this particular moment in time and place. Is it folk? Is it country? Political or romantic? Gower’s music lives comfortably in all these spaces. Oh My Stars is a gorgeous, emotionally resonant song of acceptance that immediately caught my attention. La Pistolera, a gripping murder ballad, highlights Gower’s razor-sharp storytelling, while Howling At A Hunter's Moon speaks plainly and fearlessly, giving voice to thoughts many hesitate to say aloud. These standout tracks find a natural home on Vacated Shapes, Gower’s latest album— now finally being released, to the delight of folk-pop-country fans everywhere.”

“In a live setting, Matt Gower’s vigorous guitar playing can threaten to overpower his voice, but on Vacated Shapes, his lyrics are front and centre where they belong. He provides clever and sensitive commentary on topics such as gender fluidity (Oh My Stars), fascism (Howling at a Hunter’s Moon), and emotional support (When You Were Crying, Being There). My favourite singalong song is A Machine from God, so I was happy to hear vocal harmonies on the chorus. Mostly though, the arrangements are simple and true to life, featuring acoustic guitar, solo voice, and harmonica.”

“Matt Gower’s latest album, Vacated Shapes, is anything but empty. There is no vacancy within the 10 unique rooms of creativity in which Matt has reserved for us to stay in, each having its own unique Gower-style furnishings, but at the same time feeling as though the spirits of Woody Guthrie and Townes Van Zandt are lightly bleeding through the bedside radio, while Jeff Tweedy and Steve Earle are jamming on the balcony next door. As a guest who gets to spend 42 mins in Matt’s artistic mind, it doesn’t take long to realize you will be coming back again and again.”