[Cover photo credit to Tom Terrell]
Canadian singer, songwriter, and guitarist Matt Andersen has released a version of J.J. Cale’s song “Magnolia.” The track is the only cover that appears on his forthcoming studio album, The Hammer & The Rose, out April 25th, 2025 on Sonic Records.
Recorded at Rooms Coffee in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with both audio and visual, the space is as captivating as the performance. The arrangement features Afie Jurvanen (guitar) and Christine Bougie (lap steel) from Bahamas, Chris Kirby (keys), Kyle Cunjak (acoustic bass), and Joshua Van Tassel (drums).
Andersen says:
When the band first arrived at the studio, we got set up and just started jamming a bit. We needed to make sure everything was working before we started recording the next day. We gave ‘Magnolia’ a go and settled into a groove pretty quickly.
On the last day of recording, we had some time and decided to lay this one down for real. I’ve always loved this song, and it fit right in with the vibe of the record.
The 10-song album blends elements of Folk, Blues, and Gospel. The Hammer & The Rose is the follow up to the aptly titled 2023 Juno-nominated album The Big Bottle of Joy.
Matt Andersen has headlined or performed at festivals, clubs and theatres throughout North America, Europe, and Australia.
Matt Andersen US Spring Tour
w/Julian Taylor supporting
April 3 – Seattle, WA – The Triple Door
April 4 – Portland, OR – The Showdown
April 5 – Baker City, OR – Churchill School
April 7 – Novato, CA – HopMonk Tavern
April 8 – Venice, CA – The Venice West
April 9 – Tucson, AZ – 191 Toole
April 10 – Phoenix, AZ – Musical Instrument Museum (SOLD OUT)
April 11 – Santa Fe, NM – Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery
April 12 – Albuquerque, NM – South Broadway Cultural Center
April 13 – Denver, CO – Swallow Hill Music
May 1 – Portland, ME – Portland House of Music
May 2 – Rockland, ME – The Strand
May 3 – Natick, MA – The Center for Arts in Natick
May 5 – Exeter, NH – The Word Barn
May 6 – Rockport, MA – Shalin Liu
May 7 – Fall River, MA @ Narrows Center for the Arts
May 8 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse
May 9 – New York, NY – Iridium
May 10 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
May 11 – Vienna, VA – Jammin Java
May 13 – Pittsburgh, PA – City Winery
May 14 – Cleveland, OH – Music Box
May 15 – Findlay, OH – Armes Hall – Marathon Center for the Performing Arts*
May 16 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
May 17 – Grand Rapids, MI – Midtown
May 18 – Chicago, IL – Old Town School of Folk Music
May 19 – Madison, WI – The Bur Oak
May 20 – Minneapolis, MN – The Dako
