its almost three and im sitting at my computer pondering weather or not i should even write a blog...has it been too long? i know its been what seems years since you've heard anything from me...not even sure if there are any of "you" left...but for those of you who are extremely patient and still believe that i will one day put something out this update is for you...

its hard to not lose heart in this business. somewhere between writing songs and trying to make a living writing songs its really easy to forget that this is more than just a business...its even more than just something you love. this is life...each song carries a piece of your heart through the air and your hope is that when it finds a home in an ear they find a piece of you.
i have been working on this story for years...literally. i know now its hard to find people in this life that understand you. understand your heart. understand your passion and your vision. i have learned to never take for granted if you are lucky enough find them.
i had a meeting with the nice people at sony music the other day...they told me to get a twitter..."post some videos on youtube"
i just dont get it...have we come to a place where all we want to hear is boom boom pow?
do music listeners care more about what their favorite artist tweets more than the songs they have to share?
does every song have to be under 3:30 with a dance beat?
is it possible to stand alone on your own two feet and still have a platform to be heard? i dont know...its sad to say but its true...i just dont know anymore...
i do know that i have learned 3 very important lessons so far on my journey.
1. if you do not have a song that is at the very least co-writen by someone "credible" in the industry than that song isnt good enough.
2. if you have originality and the industry cant compare you exactly to someone currently selling lots of records than you do not know who you are as an artist.
3. it is next to impossible to write, record, and release your own music all by yourself but even more difficult to find help.

although it may appear as though there is no foreseeable hope on the horizon i can assure you there is! i am blindly convinced of this because although i dont mind bobbing my head to boom boom pow i also love hearing music that speaks to me on an emotional level. pop melody that you wont find exclusively in a club. and i know that im not the only one who feels this way. i am positive that there are a lot of you who want to hear organic music written by artists who sing about what they know and what is in their heart! artists that write with you in mind!
although i dont have any answers or clarity on the steps to take towards these goals i know that the journey is every bit as important as the destination and that sometimes corny clichés help fill the gaps between steps.
dont lose hope...cause sometimes hope is all we have!
help?

Well it sounds crazy but its true...

I will start this well overdue "blog" by saying thank you!

Thank you to everyone I met on tour…

Every kind work, hug, or chat!

To everyone who let me sleep on their floor, who bought a cd or t-shirt.

This was by far my favorite tour and its cause of all or you!!!

I also want to thank Mr. Dyer! Probably the sweetest dude in the world!

Now onto a bit of sad news…the best band in the world is not longer.  Its old news to most but Mugshot broke up.  Not only a great band but really, REALLY great dudes!  Thank you for keeping me safe on the road bros!  I wish you all the luck in the future!!!

Not a lot of news this time around folks…

A lot of personal stuff has been going on the last bit and I've kinda just been living life outside of music.

I haven't been recoding lots...but have been writing some new stuff.

I will throw up all the summer dates as soon as they are confirmed. 

Also look forward to some kind of a fall run…

If you have pictures from the tour or just shots from shows send them to matthew@matthew-johnston.com and I will put them up as they come thru!

As always I love to hear from you so send me your thoughts and be patient cause I will get back to you!!!

In closing I will say you should all love Missy Higgins as much as I do…

Go to www.myspace.com/missyhiggins and listen to the song "where I stood"

Will be a new favorite…I PROMISE!!!

Thank you all again!!!

Keep in touch

-Matthew

Holler!!!

I hope all is well with everyone!

The Cure is Knowledge Skate4Cancer tour is about to start up!! Myself, Mugshot and good old rob dyer will cram ourselves in a van for three weeks and drive all over the map to come play for you...all of the shows are free and most are all ages!

Come out if you can!!!!

Looking forward to seeing all of you on tour!

 

-MJ

 

Ok, so I feel like I always start these things by saying "sorry it's been so long…" and this latest one is NO exception.  MY BAD!

The last bit has been craziness! (In a good way)

First up I'll quickly explain the video.  I figure that I had been keeping everything with this upcoming LP a secret for so long that you all deserve something. 

I had this idea of heading back to MikeyT's place and writing and recording a "joke" song on the spot.  We shot video of us just having a good time doing our "thang."  I hope you like!  We had a lot of laughs making it!

The LP is coming along better than I had hoped.  I have been spending some time in NYC and getting a lot of stuff that I'm proud of down.  I know I keep saying it but I can't wait to share these songs with you.  They are gonna be worth the wait!

As far as shows go…I have a few "one of's" coming up in the next few months that I will post up as soon as they are confirmed.

I'm REALLY excited about a potential cross ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Canada tour with S4C. 

It's still in the very early stages but could be as early as the end of May if it goes off!!! 

I will keep you in the loop with all that! 

As always, head over to http://www.myspace.com/skate4cancer to show Rob and the whole S4c team their much deserved love.

Thank you to everyone who has ever sent an email, taken the time to write an encouraging word, sang along at a show...your support makes me want to be better! 

Keep in touch

-Matthew

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Here I am with all your Matthew Johnston news for May.

All I have is good news for you this month. 

Its been a long time coming butduh duh duhI FINALLY have a band!!!  These players are without hesitation the best players on earth.  I know I know, it seems like quite the proclamation but Im telling youthese kids know how to play.  I could not be more excited to get out and show them off to you.  The best way to do this is to start playing for youll!!  We have a few shows coming up and a TON in the works. 

 

May 11^th The Elmocombo (19+)

May 12^th The Salt Lounge (19+)

May 19^th The Embassy Hotel

 

Speaking of new songs

We are diligently working towards having them ready so come to shows prepared to hear the hot fire.  The old songs have also had a facelift and Im just really eager for you all to hear my new set.

I am also getting myself back into the studio, with the full band, so make sure you watch out for some new songs recorded. 

May is gonna be the first month to show you guys what we have been working so hard at. 

Ill see you soon!
Keep in touch

-MJ

 

I know it's been a while since you have heard anything from me so here is a quick update.  I have been in bed for three days straight with the flu but I think its starting to break!!!  At this point that almost feels like the best news I could ask for!!! 

On a music tip, I have been asked to play this years Jack Richardson music awards. This will be my first performance with a full band in a very long time.  I am really excited to be a part of this night.  It's hosted by The Club Phoenix in London and takes place on Sunday April 30^th.  I'm not only rockin the full band but there will also be a very special musical surprise so make sure you don't miss it.

The night doesn't end there.  As well as playing I am also nominated in the pop/singer-songwriter category and would really appreciate all of you to vote.

Head over to http://www.thejackrichardsonmusicawards.com to support me.  Voting ends March 19^th so you only have a few days left.  Tell your friends!

I have been writing a bunch and I can't wait to start sharing the new songs with you!

And again a reminder of my online store www.matthew-johnston.com.

Keep health and safe and I'll see you soon!

-MJ

Sup all?

So if you are looking to get a copy of the six song demo or your fix of Matty J swag it is FINALLY available to purchase online.  Head over to www.matthew-johnston.com and check out the online store. 

Thank you everyone for your support!

-MJ

I have been approached by a few online stores to sell my merch.  This means that in the next couple of months you will be available to pick up shirts and cd’s online.  As well you will be able to purchase the demo off my site.  If you can’t wait to get a copy then I can ship one directly to you in the meantime in-between time. ( info@matthew-johnston.com ) The demo is $5 plus shipping costs depending on where you live. 

I hope you all had a great Christmas and wish you a very safe new year.