| May 15, 2021 (Sat) - May 16, 2021 (Sun) / 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Buy Tickets here: https://knct.club/2RElbw9 |
Matthew Byrne’s bio starts with: “Storytelling through song is a fundamental duty of traditional music and Matthew Byrne does this brilliantly with his latest recording, Horizon Lines.” Echoing that sentiment, Horizon Lines went on to win 2018 Traditional Recording of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.
A singer, storyteller, and guitarist, Matthew’s upbringing with parents who were both singers and song collectors steered him easily into the field he is in today, wherein he is reaping such deserved accolades, as much for his inherited unique repertoire as well as a fascination for unearthing and reinterpreting traditional songs. This has led folks such as Tony Montague of fRoots Magazine to state: “Byrne is the finest interpreter of traditional songs not only in his native province, but all of Canada.”
In Byrne’s words,” I see songs as sources of the past – windows into my own family history. Traditional music has always been the most important tool or me to understand where I come from and who I am. My live performances are meant to bring audiences on a journey through the lineage of my repertoire and share what these songs have revealed to me.”
And let’s not forget the voice – The voice that evokes strong emotional connections for those who hear it, such as his contemporary, Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle: “Matt’s interpretation of traditional song is somehow fresh and ancient at the same time. And his voice is friggin’ perfect.” That heartfelt sentiment is echoed by many.
Even his band mate Tom Power in Newfoundland Canada’s the Dardanelles, admitted of their music, “Frankly, we have the best guy to sing it in the province.” This is echoed roundly by many knowledgeable critics, such as Tom Power of CBC Music: “His reverence and respect for his material, along with his unabashed exploration of new songs and his staggeringly beautiful voice, makes for the rarest and most viral type of folk performer.” The Seattle Folklore Society is proud to be hosting Matthew’s in virtual concert! Your ticket with Konnectclub allows viewing during the livestream (starting at 7PM, Saturday May 15), or watching or re-watching any time up until 7PM the following (Sunday) evening. (Tickets will be available for sale until 5pm Sunday)
We are committed to keeping prices accessible to audiences while providing pay to working artists. Tickets to our virtual concerts start at $10 ($20 per household suggested; use the discount price if need dictates, or pay a little more if circumstances and generosity allow!)