I’m sure that I speak for not only all of us here at Team GDW, but for music bloggers everywhere – with the summer season comes a sense of always playing catch-up with new music releases. This is a time to enjoy the weather, catch some shows, chill out at a festival – but before we know it, we’re turning the page on the calendar once again, and are left wondering how that new tune we planned to discuss is now suddenly a couple of months old…
It is not my intention to sound like a broken record, but the GDW email inbox is still overflowing from the abundance of new music releases sent our way for consideration. It honestly does take a weekend alone just to sift through and highlight those of interest – sharing many with our team, and naturally, keeping a couple of gems held back for my own (eventual) listening pleasure.
Skimming those emails from late May into early June, the intriguing nature of one such submission led to a pause, and a click on the email itself to learn more … and sometimes, that’s exactly how something so incredibly special can be discovered. A debut tune from an emerging Indigenous artist – himself a former construction worker turned musician – this could not fail to demand my attention. We may very well be heading into mid-July already, but better late than never – this one absolutely HAS TO BE SHARED!
With this powerful debut single, “Sorry,” Abenaki singer-songwriter John Metza makes a remarkable first impression. Click PLAY on this tune and prepare to be smothered by a soulful-yet-weathered voice – one that blends the grittiness of Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, and John Prine – this bluesy-country-folk number delivered with a slow, brooding, somber pace. Brace yourself once more for the sounds – hints of spaghetti noir mixed with plenty of heartache. As for the instrumentation – some phenomenal choices here that add to the atmosphere, notably the dobro, harmonica, and subdued backing vocals. Toss all these ingredients into a mixing bowl, and you know that the cake being prepared will be like no other…
Bidding farewell to his days working construction and walking a new path, Metza sought to reconnect with his Abenaki heritage through a long-held dream to write, sing, and share his stories. Per his official press release: his greatest hope is to inspire others to believe that it’s never too late to change your life. “Sorry” is much more than a debut single – it’s an intimate and powerful statements. A song of forgiveness, deliver with a raw, heartfelt voice shaped by life’s trials.”
Streaming this song is a great way to discover the music, but I must encourage all to spend some time with the official music video embedded below. This live session, shot purposely in black and white, and filmed in a soft, intimate setting, perfectly captures the full emotional weight of “Sorry.” This will further your appreciation for how John unveils a deeply personal and moving world in a truly authentic and heartfelt way. Highly recommended listening.
Photo Credit: Artist Social Media
The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.
