Freshly Pressed – Mattie Leon “Cover Band”

One of the hardest working musicians around, and a personal pal to FTS, Mattie Leon has just released his latest single, “Cover Band”. It’s an insanely catchy, fun track about – you guessed it – the abundance of cover bands in the Canadian music scene these days. We caught up with Mattie to chat about the song, what cover band he’d be in, his music gear tips, and what he’d put on his show rider.

From The Strait: Tell us about the new single, “Cover Band”.

Mattie Leon: Sure!

Cover Band is about as rocking as I can get. Musically it’s like a descendant of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Baby Driver”, and Wings’ “Helen Wheels” & “Jet”. Recorded here in Hamilton by me and featuring the greats as usual: my brother, Mike, and Nelson Sobral.

Lyrically the song’s a bit on the sour side…it’s about how cover band – heavy the music scene in Canada has gotten. Do you have to play other people’s songs to be successful now? This lyric kind of sums it up…

It’s hard enough to keep the fire burning now cover bands are booking nights at Massey Hall

After working with some of Canada’s top producers on our last records (Gavin Brown and Mark Howard) I wanted to hop back into the driver’s seat. I learned a lot from them along the way and it was time for me to get my hands dirty again. This is the first time I’ve self produced since the Signal Hill EP and the When Love Is Strong/Caught Up release. So I’m excited about that!

From The Strait: If you HAD to be in a cover band, what band or artist would you choose to cover? (I would’ve bet money on your answer, so let’s see if I’m right!)

Mattie Leon: Well I think I could do a good job of Paul Simon. Graceland. Rhythm Of The Saints.

I’d love to do the McCartney songbook but I’d be hospitalized trying to sing the shredding parts of Maybe I’m Amazed.

From The Strait: My guess was Paul Simon, so I just won money… from myself.
What artists or bands are you listening to most these days? Any up-and-coming acts our readers should know about?

Mattie Leon:  If I’m being totally honest I haven’t been very good at finding new music lately. My wife and I had a daughter about 17 months ago and life is truly upside down at the moment. The only music I’ve been hearing is stuff I’m writing, demoing or mixing.

I really love the EP my brother Mike put out last fall, Ticket Home. Our bass player, Nelson, is always putting out incredible stuff as well. I’m surrounded by talent, man!

One singer/songwriter who I’ve had the chance to write with recently is John Muirhead. He put out a really good record a few years ago and he’s got a serious way with words. Just really solid songwriting. He’s bound to keep climbing.

From The Strait: What’s one question you wish you were asked in an interview? (And what’s your answer to it?)

Mattie Leon:  You have your own project studio…any tips about music gear?

For the longest time I tried to find new gear that “punched above its weight” and I just ended up unimpressed and regretful. Mics that were average. Preamps that were nothing special. I’ve come to the conclusion that you should just buy good shit. Buy less shit but make sure it’s quality. I’ve been getting rid of some preamps and mics that were just sitting around and pushing myself to spend more and get quality. It lasts. You can hear it. It’s easier to deal with come mixtime. One great piece of gear is better than 3 average ones.

With that being said…a Beta 58 as your vocal mic can friggin work.

From The Strait: What do you do when you have an overload of songs written – how do you choose which ones make the cut?

Mattie Leon: I always make full demos of each song. So I can listen to them in my dropbox and, over time, get a sense of what they are. Are they done? Do I need to revisit? Is it still good after a few months?

For this new single I threw 13 songs in a folder and shared it with Mike and Nelson. We chatted about which ones stuck out as singles and we kind of came to a consensus on Cover Band. I think having people you trust to help you is always good. I did the same kind of thing with Mark Howard before our last record. Sent him a ton of songs and he told me the ones he thought would make a great album. Mike, Nelson and I fought for a few songs to be included…but that was it. Easy peasy.

If you’re releasing singles I think you pick the best song you’ve got. If you’re releasing an album you can look at it a little more like a setlist for a live show…you want peaks and valleys. You can put songs on an album that you wouldn’t ever release as a single. That’s why they’re great.

I think showing a few people is always helpful. Even though it’s awkward and uncomfortable. It’s totally necessary. If I listen to a new song with someone standing right there beside me I hear it in a different way. I can feel where it drags. Where it gets boring. etc

From The Strait: Imagine you were selling out stadiums – what would you put on your rider?

Mattie Leon:  Can you imagine? Jeeze

Dark Roast Coffee with Oat Milk

Water

Some kind of lager. Nothing too heavy. A stage beer.

Fruit and veggie platters

Vegan Smoothies

That Himalayan salt / Coconut oil popcorn

If the stadium tour is in the summer then a TV room to watch the majors (golf)

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Check out “Cover Band”, the latest single from Mattie Leon!

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