Podunkian Music Club

Matthew Good- Born Losers

This evenings Music club selection features one of the more under appreciated of Canadian artists, a Canadian talent who has just released his seventh recording and for Matthew Good, it may just be lucky number seven!

With a recording that finishes off his US contract with the record label Atlantic, Good has found that the ever increasing importance of the Internet may make up, where lack luster record label assistance once let him down.

His latest offering Hospital Music, was released on iTunes and on Amazon.com this week, the iTunes versions released simultaneously in both Canada and the USA.

His tracks have immediately become a hit in Canada and in the US, spurred on by featured content as a free download in the USA; the word is spreading fast about his newest project.

Good has made some sensible use of the You Tube generation as well, back in July he issued a call for his fans to create a video for his first release from the new recording, Born Loser. Creating a contest to pick the one that best captures the spirit of his song.

From that request has spawned a number home made videos, more than a few that are quite inventive and well put together. It gives the You Tube phenomenem a new importance, that of the outlet for independent film and video makers it would seem. Judging by some of the offerings, you don't have to be a professional to have a good idea and great effort.

We provide a couple of links to the You Tube contest site and a couple of the runners up in our mind below.

Sample one
Sample two
Sample three
Sample four
Sample five


The best of the bunch so far can be found here and on the link above with the song title in red.

But success is in the eye of the viewer, check out the many multiplying versions and find one that captures the song to your satisfaction.

From that portal has come a whole new understanding of Good’s music and perhaps a better respect for the Burnaby resident’s long and accomplished career in Canadian music. Formerly the obvious front man for the Matthew Good Band, he had some quality success with “Everything is automatic” and “Apparitions” back in the 1990’s, he disbanded the Good Band in 2001 and since then has crossed the country as a solo act.

While he still records some of the most relevant music in Canada today, he’s become more of a social force as well. He is a regular blogger, has a well earned reputation as a social activist and isn’t afraid to take a controversial stand when the need arises.

Some may quarrel with some of his postings and thoughts, he awakens debate with them and provides an important forum not only for fans but citizens to look at the larger issues of our times.

While he's branching out and taking on more challenges beyond music, his latest recording hasn't been lost in the shuffle. Judging by the first release, it's a return to some great songwriting, a solid musical sound and thanks to his legion of fans some very interesting visual interpretations.

His success through the Internet is just another chapter in a pretty fascinating career, and perhaps leaves him on the front lines of the musical revolution starting to stir. No longer hostages to their labels and the big business of music, a simple mention on a music website and a personal invitation to the fans to take ownership of the music seems to be placing Good in a pretty impressive place to reap some rewards.

The tune is worth a listen and it wouldn't hurt to click on buy either... I did.
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Artist-Matthew Good
Recording-Hospital Music