Singled Out: Matthew Ryan Jacobs' Matches

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON musician and songwriter Matthew Ryan Jacobs is previewing his new EP with the release of his new single "Matches", and to celebrate we he tell us about the new song. Here is the story:

"Matches" is about feeling helpless in a situation or feeling a weight that you can't shake off. The chord progression felt so moody and had a vibe, so the lyrics came fairly easy and quick. It was also written during a very difficult time in my life that was totally out my control, which is the helplessness reflected in the lyrics.

The recording is sparse, there isn't much doubling or layering, which I love. Everything has its own space and Ryan (Enockson) did a great job mixing it so everything takes it turn.

I recorded the guitars and organ in my home studio, and the drums were done at The Warehouse in Vancouver. The coolest part about the recording is that the pedal steel is played by Ed "Peewee Charles" Ringwald, who was in Gordon Lightfoot's band for years. He's an incredible player and it means a lot to have him on the song.

I recorded the vocal really late at night in my parents basement, where I first started out years ago. I was at the house helping my Mom, and after she went to bed I sat on the couch in the basement and recorded the vocal in one take around midnight. I did a lot of my first recordings playing guitar on that same couch, so it felt like home a bit.

I think there is something about acoustic guitars, slide guitars, and honest songwriting. It may not always be at the height of popularity, but it's stuck around for a reason.

Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen and watch for yourself below or here

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