In our series Home Scene, Grid City asks music fans to share what they love most about the city’s music culture. This time we check in with musician and frontman for the mighty Waking Night, Matt Legere.
What have you been listening too lately?
Well, I recently discovered the band, Can. They’re this German experimental rock band from the 60’s and 70’s. Maybe they’re not that obscure but I had never heard of them. I still don’t really know anything about them, but their record “Ege Bamyasi” has been creeping me out in the best way lately. Also, Jonny Greenwood’s score/soundtrack for the new Paul Thomas Anderson film is really spooky and great. And a bunch of hip-hop/rap. Run The Jewels 2 for instance.
Most anticipated local release of 2015?
How about releases? I was lucky enough to hear a sneak-peak of the Sam Salmon recordings that Brydon Crain has been working on. They’re not finished but they’re going to be awesome. Josh Bravener is supposed to be recording an album so I can’t wait for that. I’ve also heard whispers about some Tortue recordings that are apparently shaping up nicely. Nuages as well I think. They’re all a bunch of wizards so 2015 looks pretty darn good to me.
Name the one Fredericton band you believe more people should know about.
Everyone in the world should know about Motherhood.
Live music culture is an important part of Fredericton’s identity. If you could improve one aspect of the city’s music scene, what would it be?
Well, The Cult (the collective I’m a part of) was lucky enough this past year to lock down a nice practice space downtown, which has been great. But we really struggled for a long time to find a good place. So maybe if there was a way to increase the number of available work/jam/practice spaces around town willing to let people play and create music I think that we’d see a spike in productivity and recordings and all that good stuff. So that, and more all-ages shows. And maybe if Fergus at The Capital started a band. Holy shit!
Looking back at the past year, what would you consider to be an important highlight for the city arts scene?
This local group of artists known as Shift Work keep putting on these art shows that are the most fun, inspiring thing I’ve seen happen in this town in a while. They all support one another and push each other to be better which is refreshing to see. And they’re always thinking of new and cool ways to present their work and vision to the city so I’m excited to see what they do next. Look out!
Matt Legere is a member of The Waking Night, alongside Joel Dixon, Ryan Cooper and Adam Sipkema.
The Waking Night have been diligently crafting a sound that has been tacking between folk-rock, alternative-rock and blues-rock vibes over a span of four years. Working hard on new material, the band was pleased to release their first full length album “Brass & Swagger” at the end of the 2013 summer.
