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Digital Release In November With Brick-and-Mortar Distribution In January

Canadian singer-songwriter Matt York has signed with Rock Ridge Music, and his new album, Mine, was released via digital distribution on November 4, 2008. (Canadian national brick-and-mortar release was November 7th.) Brick-and-mortar US distribution will hit on January 20, 2009, with European distribution to follow. Tomorrow, the first single off of Mine, has already been picked up by thirteen major radio stations across Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. He has already showcased material from the new record at this year s CMJ Music Marathon.

Says Rock Ridge Music Marketing Coordinator Carly Kent, who signed York to the label: Initially, it was the quality of Matt s live performance that grabbed me by the ears. As I got to know him, it became clear that he is a genuine artist passionate and completely driven. His effortless talent is evident in every self-created element, from his lyrics to his t-shirt designs.

Says York: It’s refreshing to be working with a company who works just as hard for you as you work for yourself. Everyone at Rock Ridge embodies that mantra and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the Rock Ridge family. I think we’re on to some big things here… can’t wait to see what the next year holds for everyone.

After touring for the past three years supporting his first record, Under the Streetights (which sold nearly 8,000 copies worldwide), playing nearly 750 shows across North America, Japan and Australia, and releasing his first DVD in March of 2008 (filmed by Dan Ramirez Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R.), Matt paired up with some friends and exceptional songwriters: Brad Stella and Joel Parisien (NewWorldSon) to craft a selection of tracks for his newest project. Those connections, and Matt s habit of locking himself in a Toronto rehearsal space for weeks on end, resulted in twenty new songs and a rekindled fire in the belly. In February of 2008, Matt went back in the studio with producer and longtime friend Justin Koop (Tomi Swick, St. Alvia Cartel, NewWorldSon) to begin working on his sophomore release Mine.

I grew up listening to the Motown and gospel that my mom and dad would listen to around the house, says Matt. In high school, when all of my friends were listening to Nirvana, I was listening to Stevie and Rare Earth. My dad s a high school music teacher and accomplished violinist, and when he d work long hours after school (I went to the same high school he taught at it was awesome.), I d sit in the music room and play guitar for hours each night. My dad would be there to help me if I didn t know certain chords, but I never took one lesson. I just learned the songs I loved after school every day.

Some highlights of Matt s career include:

* In 2006, Matt got picked up by Japanese label Entak/Universal. His single Hey Love charted in the Top 20 on Tokyo radio charts for nearly seven weeks.

* In 2006 and 2007, Matt hit the top three in the Canadian Radio Start Competition run by Mix 99.9 (now Virgin Radio) for his songs That s Life and Lucky Man.

* In 2007, Matt was nominated for three TIMA (Toronto Independent Music Awards) including Best Male Acoustic and Best Song.

* Matt s songs have been placed in numerous films and television programs, most notably on PBS s Road Trip Nation and just recently on The New Indie where three of Matt s songs were picked for placement.

A tour of North America is planned in support of Mine. York, who has already shared stages with Andy Stochansky, Allanah Myles, G. Love and Special Sauce, and The Alternate Routes, will play some dates with labelmates Ernie Halter and Andrew Hoover in the US.

www.matt-york.com
www.myspace.com/mattyork