Chris: Hey, I'm here today with Matthew Barber, an awesome Canadian singer songwriter. Thanks for your time. A lot of my readers are unfamiliar with you and your music. Could you quickly tell them about yourself and your music?

Matt: I'm a solo artist with a band called The Union Dues. I've made one full-length and one EP. I'm working on a new full-length right now which will be out in May or June on the Warner label.

Chris: I've bought both of your albums, Means and Ends and the EP, The Story of Your Life. Both were very different in terms of style. I hate to use genres but Means and Ends was more of a country-pop album while The Story of Your Life had more of a rock edge. Which genre do you prefer?

Matt: Well I certainly didn't consciously try to make an album in a certain genre. I think the tunes on Story ended up being more "rockin'" 'cause I had been playing with my band for a while at that point, whereas Means and Ends was written when I was just playing solo.

Chris: It says on your website that you and your band have started work on a new studio album. Is there anything you can tell us about it?

Matt: It will be finished by early March, hopefully. Marty Kinack is producing it (he's produced Hayden and Sarah Harmer). It doesn't have a name yet. I'm quite excited about it.

Chris: How did you get together with your band the Union Dues? How involved is the band in writing new material? Has the band changed the song writing-process?

Matt: I basically write all of the tunes on my own, but the band comes up with their parts on their own. We work together to get the best rhythmic arrangement.

Chris:  The Story of Your Life has already created two moderately successful singles, We're Gonna Play and Little Love. What kind of radio and video exposure have you had across the country and can we expect a third single? If so what song are you leaning towards? (Please say Landline)

Matt: Lots of stations played We're Gonna Play, which was great. Little Love didn't do as well, but I think it's tough to have more than one single when you're an emerging artist and you only have an EP out. We made a video for Little Love that received some airplay on Much and MTV 2. I'm pretty happy with how it went overall. I don't think there'll be a third single from the EP but thanks for you your suggestion!

Chris: It said on your website a little while ago that you were making an animated video for We're Gonna Play. Whatever happened to that video? Will fans ever get a chance to see it?

Matt: I don't know if anyone will ever see it. We decided not to release it.

Chris: How do you respond to comparisons of your career to fellow Canadian artist Sam Roberts?

Matt: Well, I think they will probably subside after my next album comes out. I think it was mainly because I released an EP and so did he. I don't mind though - I like his music and I think he's a great performer. Nice guy too.

Chris: How did you enjoy shooting the video for Little Love? I hate to sound un-professional but don't you think the actress in the video is hot?

Matt: The video was a lot of fun. We shot it on Super 8 film so it kind of has a home-movie look which I like. My friend Jen was "the girl" and she was a really good sport. Wendy Morgan directed and she was a joy to work with.

Chris: Who are the biggest influences on your music and what inspires you in song writing?

Matt: Lately my biggest influences have been people like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and Tom Waits. Years ago I was really influenced by Hayden, Sloan, Thrush Hermit (still love Joel Plaskett). The list goes on and on.

Chris: How did you get into the music business? Was it difficult to get a record deal?

Matt: I didn't set my sights on getting into the business - it just happened that way. It all happened very quickly - first with Paper Bag Records re-releasing my indie album (Means and Ends), and then Warner approaching me. Now I'm attempting to do it full time which has it's ups and downs, but it gives me a lot of time to work on music.

Chris: Your sister Jill is also having success in the music business. I've got to ask, is there any sibling rivalry going on?

Matt: Only a healthy one. We're very supportive of each other.

Chris: Well, that's all the time we have for now. Thanks so much for your time. Good luck with your new album.

Matt: You're welcome. Good luck with your article.

Chris: This is Chris Novak, Dead Fenix News, logging out.