Matt Mays

Canadian roots rocker Matt Mays rose to prominence among the country's leading contemporary acts after launching his career on the road alongside his backing ensemble El Torpedo. Born August 10, 1979, Mays first drew notice from listeners while playing in the Nova Scotia-based alt-country outfit the Guthries, which came together in 1998. The Guthries issued their debut Off Windmill in 2000; although the record earned critical praise and audience approval, Mays chose to pursue a solo path.

His self-titled solo debut arrived in early 2003. To support the project on tour he recruited Jarrett Murphy on guitar and vocals, Rob Crowell on keyboards and sax, Andy Patil on bass and vocals, and Tim Baker on drums, while Mays himself supplied lead vocals and alternated guitar parts with Murphy. Steady touring across Canada built a devoted following, prompting Mays to share top billing with the group on his follow-up, Matt Mays + El Torpedo, which Sonic Entertainment released in spring 2005. The tracks "Cocaine Cowgirl" and "On the Hood" became major Canadian successes, and the band was tapped to open a large-scale Canadian run for the Black Crowes. Exposure grew in the United States after a 2006 South by Southwest showcase and an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, leading to a long-delayed American release of Matt Mays + El Torpedo on the independent 00:02:59 label late that year. While the group crisscrossed the States to promote the album, they simultaneously played expanded Canadian dates behind their ambitious third effort, When the Angels Make Contact. In early 2007 Mays relocated to New York City to strengthen his American presence, after which guitarist Jarrett Murphy departed El Torpedo on amicable terms. Jay Smith, formerly of the Cape Breton band Rock Ranger, joined as the new guitarist in April 2007. The updated lineup delivered Terminal Romance in 2008, which reached the Billboard Top 20 in Canada, and scored a Hot 100 entry with "Tall Trees" before touring in support of Kid Rock; the band officially disbanded the next year, though Smith and additional collaborators remained part of Mays' touring unit.

Following an iTunes Session in 2011, Mays returned with Coyote in 2012. The album earned his strongest reviews to date, entering the Canadian chart at number seven and capturing the 2014 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. He continued with his sixth Sonic release, Once Upon a Hell of a Time..., in 2017.