Just Us Folk

Growing up surrounded by music in Newfoundland and Labrador, Matthew Byrne didn’t think his family was unique in any way. His father, Joe, was one half of the folk duo Pat and Joe Byrne while his mother was a song collector. There was always unaccompanied singing in the house, sometimes until the wee hours of the night. But it wasn’t until he reached high school age that Matthew realized his family was out of the ordinary.

“It was just a common place thing to get together and share music,” he said.

Now that he’s a father himself, Matthew is passing down the love of music to his young son. And his son is recognizing that sometimes daddy leaves home to sing to people.

These days Matthew is singing songs from his new album, Stealing Time. The album is a very special project in that it was recorded in Sheffield, England with veteran performer Martin Simpson acting as producer. Matthew’s connection to Martin goes back to when he opened for Martin at a couple of concerts in St. John’s. The renowned English guitarist took a liking to the hometown performer who shared his musical interests. After the second concert in 2017 Matthew asked if Martin would be willing to work with him on a new recording.

One of the reasons Matthew was attracted to Martin’s albums was the group of musicians he uses, which included Nancy Kerr, Andy Cutting and James Fagan. Once Martin agreed to produce what became Stealing Time, he thought about how those same people would sound on the Matthew’s album.

“They’re the best of the best in the English folk world and I really wanted to make an English record,” Matthew said.

A lot of the songs Matthew grew up with from the Placentia Bay area of Newfoundland originated in England so it seemed logical to Matthew to bring them back. But as with so many plans, the project was put on hold because of COVID. As a result it wasn’t until January of 2024 that everyone’s schedules could align so that Matthew could fly to Sheffield. It took less than two weeks to put the majority of the album together, with Matthew finishing a couple of things back home.

In a kind of musical version of “bringing coals to Newcastle,” many of the songs Matthew planned to record were very familiar to the English musicians. But they were unfamiliar with these Newfoundland versions.

“So when something comes across their plate they’re not familiar with but it’s from the tradition they know best, they’re kind of intrigued by it,” Matthew said. “And they’re kind of humbled by it!”

They were also fascinated by the original Newfoundland songs, like “Tickle Cove Pond.”

Matthew had at first kind of sheepishly asked Martin if he would play on the track. Martin’s response was, “Try and stop me!”

Up until that point in his career, Matthew had only toured in the UK once, just before the pandemic. Appearing at concerts and festivals in the general area where Newfoundland settlers had originated really connected him to his audience. The hope is that he’ll be able to return to England in the new year.

Matthew’s approach to touring has certainly changed since becoming a father. He doesn’t like the idea of being away from home for a long period of time, as was the case earlier in his solo career and as a member of the Dardanelles.

Looking at his gig schedule now, Matthew begins October in Ontario with shows in Toronto and Kitchener, followed by a performance in Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick. Ten days later, he'll be at the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton. October wraps up with a show in Pasadena, Newfoundland. Then he’s off until November 28, when he’s at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

“The appeal of hopping on a plane and being gone for two or three weeks just went away,” Matthew said.

Now the focus is to play in as many places closer to home as he can. What he’s discovering is a plethora of communities he’s never played in before. An added benefit of not performing so much outside of Atlantic Canada means that when he does those concerts are extra special.

“It’s almost adds a little bit of intrigue to the gig,” he said.

For more on Matthew Byrne and Stealing Time, go to https://www.matthewbyrne.net/