Blues, B-sides and holiday cheer
Kitchener musician Matt Weidinger gears up for his fifth annual holiday concert
Matt Weidinger’s holiday show is now five years old.
“I like doing a show around the holidays because people are here and you figure if you give them enough notice they can slot it in. Sunday afternoon has always been comfy, and thought we would try somewhere new,” he adds.
“Lot 42 has this great room,” he notes. “People have been asking me if I’m doing it in the space that holds a few thousand and I said, ‘Oh God, no! That is much too big,’” he says. “They have a really nice side room with a bar that holds several hundred people, so we are going to try it there this year. It is something new and I am looking forward to it,” says Weidinger.
The singer-songwriter, guitarist, and keyboard player also performs with locally based cover band Romeo Sex Fighter and does his own Van Morrison songbook show which he has been touring around Ontario.
Weidinger has also been working on new material.
“Hopefully, I am going put something out in the next year,” says Weidinger, adding he will be working with multiinstrumentalist Ben Rollo (Peter Katz) and Mark McIntyre (Danny Michel) on the new album.
“I will have an idea and try and play drums,” says Weidinger, who has a variety of instruments set up in his basement home studio. “I had a lot fun doing that and then the guys (Ben and Mark) have ideas on it — what if we did this and what if we did that.
“Come the new year, I am really going to try and stay home Mondays and Tuesdays, record songs and take some time. If I put enough hours into it then something is going to surface.
“I was thinking about doing a single and have the vinyl with the two sides. I am not sure what to do next. Who knows? Maybe make another CD or do it song by song.”
Rollo and McIntyre are also joining Weidinger for his holiday show. The three musicians have recently been rehearsing songs.
“I like to try and pick songs that you don’t hear all the time and songs that influenced me in my love for music. This year, we’ll have songs by the Zombies, Neil Young and the Band.
“We have been having a lot of fun,” notes Weidinger. “I like playing music with Mark and Ben. It is great because Mark plays upright bass and Ben plays guitar, piano and drums,” he says. “So we have all of these different configurations we have been doing.”
“I like putting the B-side tunes in there — not songs that you hear all the time, but it is not going to be totally obscure. I love throwing stuff in there so that you will go, ‘Oh wow! That is a great tune, I am going to go home and listen to that!’”
Weidinger recently brought a “new toy” — a Wurlitzer 200A electric piano.
“It is the same kind of keyboard that they would have in Supertramp and those bands in the ’60s and ’70s. I love it. The vintage stuff has life in it,” says Weidinger.
“I also like bringing the Hammond organ to gigs because it smells like wood and it is a big, heavy block,” he adds.
Weidinger is currently working on one of Hammond organ master Jimmy Smith’s keyboard licks.
“I can’t play it yet,” he admits, “‘The Cat’ by Jimmy Smith. I am slowing it down a quarter of the speed. That’s my fave lick right now because it is the bane of my existence!”
Weidinger started playing music when he was around 15, inspired by bands like the Doors and Led Zeppelin. His passion grew from there, including his deep appreciation for the songs of Joe Cocker and Van Morrison.
“When I was 17, 18, I started to get some gigs playing keyboards with different people and started to find my voice.”
Weidinger’s powerful vocals and musical finesse have found a unique performance niche, be it his original music or performing with the many talented blues veterans who have since become good friends.
“Well, I was lucky,” he admits. “I had good parents and they always told me you can play music but make sure you know how to make a living and be smart with that kind of stuff.
“So I always say, ‘What is my next three months looking like?’ I try and go in three- or four-month blocks. What am I doing then? It is tough. I could probably sit down and book myself for the next year, but then stuff comes up and I like to leave open spots. It’s a dance that all working musicians understand.”