A Spalding singer-songwriter has started the year on a musical note with the release of a three-track EP.
Matthew James Aylett (31) released his rootsy, country-inflected Factory Blues EP online on Friday.
Matthew, who has lived in Spalding all his life, said his music reflects the area and his experience working here, best summed up in the opening track, Ain’t No More Factory Blues.
The EP’s spacious, warm sound recalls Townes Van Zant and Bob Dylan but Texan songwriter Guy Clark’s shadow looms largest on the record.
“I really loved his style of writing, you don’t have to think about it to much it just spells it out for you. There’s a real warmth to a lot of his songs, I find myself going back to him time and time again,” Matthew said.
In Matthew’s formative years, Oasis got the ball rock and rolling.
“Noel Gallagher wrote great songs that I found my 14-year-old self obsessing over. I think because they are normal working class lads and the songs were so big really made you believe in what they was doing,” Matthew said.
Fast-forward to 2018 and Matthew is readying his first album.
“I would actually love to try and get a couple a records out this year,” he said.
Matthew recorded Factory Blues in his home studio with a host of local musicians. The EP was produced by Chris Le Boeuf (probably the best all-round musician I’ve played with,” Matthew said) and features Gethin Evans on slide guitar, David Jackson (Soft Tone Needles) on drums and Penny Stevens on fiddle.
“I feel very lucky to have a such a incredible group of musicians working with me, their help and support have been incredible.”
Matthew said he had been concentrating on writing and recording so hadn’t gigged much lately, but said: “you can always get to see music in town a couple of times a week.”
Factory Blues EP is available on Spotify, Amazon, Soundcloud and streamable on YouTube.
