music insauga: Matt Zadkovich

For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 140 characters:

Honest, Passionate, Soulful, Acoustic Rock.  For fans of John Mayer, Eddie Vedder, City & Colour.

 
Ten years from now your band will be….

Writing and performing music we care about, sharing it with the world.

If you could go open up for any artist on tour right now who would it be?

That’s a tough one.  At this very moment: Neil Young.

 
So, what’s your favourite thing to do when you aren’t doing your music?

This changes regularly, right now I’d say it’s cooking, spending time with those I love, and watching Archer or Nature documentaries.

 
What is your Mississauga connection?

I have lived in Mississauga for the last 25 years.  It is my home, and I love it.  I am also heavily involved in the arts community.

 
What’s your favourite place in Mississauga to perform and why?

A tie between Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub & the City Centre stage.  Cuchulainn’s because it has become a new home for me musically.  We have been able to build a fantastic jam night there that is second to none in the city.  And City Centre has become an actual cultural spot in our city, it is quite amazing.  Always great to play there.

 
Where do you draw inspiration from when you write your lyrics and what’s your favourite part about the process?

Lyrically I draw inspiration from life experience, and from music itself.  The struggles I’ve met in life, the places I’ve been, performing I’ve done, the people I’ve loved and have loved me, the songs that move me.  Normally my lyrics and songs are very stream of conscious and then I edit the ideas later:  finding something magic in the moment, and then trying to make sense of it later.

 
Who are your favourite musicians? Why?

This list could go on and on, and it changes frequently.  I’m always trying to hear new things.  Here’s a few:

Bands: Return to Forever, Meshuggah, Maroon 5, Dillinger Escape Plan, Weather Report, Between the Buried & Me, Mastodon, Blind Melon, Gojira, The Civil Wars, Crypstopsy, The Get Up Kids

Solo Artists/instrumentalists: Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Kurt Elling, Neil Young, John Mayer, Ryan Bingham, Steve Jordan, Bruno Mars, GURU

 
What are five things your band can’t live without?

Music, performing, good communication, humour, and high fives!

 
What’s the coolest gig you ever did? Why?

One that comes to mind was with my old metal band Starring Janet Leigh.  We were playing a festival in Toronto named Terrorfest, and had a guest performer with us named quaintly as “The Metal Golem.”  During our set, he used an electric grinding wheel with an axe and sent sparks flying all up his body.  Thankfully he wore goggles.  Just having that on stage with us made us go that much crazier, and the audience was mesmerized.  It was one of the strangest and most exhilarating performances I’ve ever date.  Definitely one of my faves.

Anything you want to plug?

mattzadkovich.com – my website.  Check it out for show dates and release details.

www.cuchulainns.ca – Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub.  I host an open mic / Jam Night at this pub every Tuesday in Streetsville, Mississauga.  A great place for music fans and musicians alike to meet, perform, and enjoy!

Quick facts:

What high school did you go to? Loyola Catholic Secondary School

Favourite food? Japanese / Sushi (vegan)

Favourite place to eat in Mississauga?  Zen Garden

iPhone or Android? Android

Timmies or McD’s coffee? McD’s

Last song listened too on your ipod? John Mayer – Who You Love

Upcoming Performances:

1. Thurs. Oct. 24th  @ 8pm – Failte Irish Pub – Rock it Up! Charity Event w/ Heather Brissenden
2. Sun. Oct. 27th @ 12:45pm – Frank McKechnie Community – Seva Food Bank Fundraiser
3. Wed. Nov. 13th @ 9pm – Ten Restaurant w/ Heather Brissenden
4. Sat. Nov. 23rd @ 10pm – Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub w/ The Infringements
5. Wed. Dec. 11th @ 9pm – Ten Restaurant w/ Heather Brissenden
6. Sat. Dec. 21st @ 10pm – Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub w/ The Infringements