�Ӱ�ԭ��

by Nick Ward

The title track of Avalanche, fifth studio release, was nominated for Video of Year for the 2016 Juno Awards and has won the 2016 Prism Prize Award for Best Canadian Music Video.

Six months after its release, the video—which reimagines 35 classic album covers, from Jay-Z to Springsteen to Wilco—has over 130,000 views on YouTube and has helped solidify the indie rocker as a rising star on the Canadian national music scene. A skillfully written, upbeat track with a hint of melancholy, Avalanche is representative of �Ѳ��ٳٲ��Dz�’s dexterous and impressive discography.

“I try not to think about genres or how to classify my music at all, I don’t think it’s helpful when making songs,” explained Mattson. “I do think my songs are in line with some sort of folk tradition, or Canadian songwriting tradition, but at the same time not stuck in the past, and I really try to incorporate more modern and pop production techniques in my records.”

The Prism Award and the Juno nomination are not �Ѳ��ٳٲ��Dz�’s only prominent recognitions. He was also nominated for a Polaris Music Prize in 2014 for his most recent full-length album, , which he described as “an extremely personal record in which I felt I took a lot of risks in the subject matter, but also financially in recording and self-releasing it.”

Although he’s just 25 years old, Mattson carries himself with distinguished composure and pragmatism. When asked about these accolades, he responded with the confident sensibility of a cagey industry veteran. “It feels like a nice sort of benchmark accomplishment. Awards mean something to everyone, you don’t really have to justify it, everyone knows what it is and what it means. You never go into making music with the goal of winning them, but when it does happen it’s a really nice surprise to be recognized for your work.”

Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Mattson came to �Ӱ�ԭ��’s Music program in 2010 to refine his craft. “ had a big effect on me. I had quite a few classes with him in my four years and he really expanded my view of music and composition. Really, I think that one of the main things university is supposed to do is just expand your thinking and expose you to new things.”

Mattson isn’t certain whether or not acquiring a university degree is going to make or break a songwriter’s career, but he does believe it helps provide musicians with “the tools to be able to do your job better—theory, ear training, that sort of thing.”

“The biggest thing I got out of my time at �Ӱ�ԭ�� was a work ethic and the knowledge of how to practise well and how to make the best use of your time practising. I use that every day.”

Mattson is currently writing and recording his upcoming full-length album and is preparing to play with Canadian icon Jason Collett. Mattson has a variety of tour dates and festivals for 2016, checkout for details.

For those aspiring artists reading this article, Mattson suggests, “You never know if you never try, and if you never try, you never know.”

Wise advice from a young success story.

�Ӱ�ԭ��’s Bachelor of Music (BMus) program now has a Singer-songwriter stream which features related courses, research, performance and artists in residence working with songwriters. �Ӱ�ԭ��’s BMus is the only program in Canada (and one of only a few in the world) to have a Singer-songwriter stream. For more information, please visit: