tim’s thought property

Yesterday evening at the Osborne Village Freehouse, Matt Epp played, from what I heard, a great show.
Earlier in February, we agreed that I would photograph this show, for it was to be one of the few before his tour with the Attics, come mid-March. With camera in hand, Cake mix-cd on the car stereo, I braved the un-plowed roads for an evening of music and pictures.
I ran in to many friends not seen in a while, even Chars and Carolyn, whom I’d seen earlier in the day. With many familiar faces around, Matt and his performance band set up and prepared to play their sets. Borrowing other local musicians such as Sky Onosson, and Jay Tooke on the bass and drums, respectively. Kristjanna Oleson was playing violin on nearly all the songs, and it added so much atmosphere to them.

Matt had many familiar faces to play to, but it wasn’t like it was necessary. His pressence is that of good-nature. His attitude works well with crowds.
He has been described as one influenced by Bob Dylan and Ron Sexsmith, Emmylou Harris and the Band. He has a strong sound, definitely with folk influence. But it’s more than that. He writes, I suppose, as many musicians do, about things that matter. And unlike a lot of musicians his age, Matt seems to be able to articulate his mind in song so clearly.
The band opened with Boy oughta be in New York, a fine selection of his work. In all the shows I’ve witnessed him perform, I’ve always seen it heartfelt. They played You’ll Find Me Alone, the title track from his debut album of the same name, and Kissing and Drinking Wine, also from the debut.

Interestingly enough, the denim jacket that he was sporting belonged to Willie Nelson. Matt related the story that Willie’s jacket was given to a friend, who in turn gave it to someone else who was a friend of Matt, [who subsequently lent it to Matt]. Amid the din of diners and drinkers, Matt peppered in some new songs he’d been writing. A personal ballad written for his grandfather, entitled Granpa Blue was one that I felt showed more of the depth Matt has taken in his writing. For God’s sake, Irene was a passionate plea to a cheating wife, another surprising development in style. Yet my favourite of his new material was the closer of the first set, Bad Deal; a song about a deal in Purgatory gone awry.
And that is where I took my leave, for I had to open at work this morning.
I missed the second set, but duty called and the memory card was full.
I enjoyed a great show that night, took my fair share of photos, too. And, I hope that some good will come out of the pictures. For the first time, I was unable to disappear as a photographer, and was painfully self-aware. It’s a feeling I’m not used to. But to improve my skills at live coverage, I will likely have to become more vulnerable than what I’m used to.