Matthew James

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The Arty Crowd funding sources require inclusion of members who identify as belonging to priority groups encompassing: Indigenous, ethnocultural communities, rural or remote residents, youth, and Francophones (english and french). Hamilton Arts Council further wants to measure its success in attracting members from all the diverse groups we serve in the Greater Hamilton Area arts community, including those who are LGBTQ2S+, and persons with disabilities. We will use the aggregates of the information collected here to measure our success in making The Arty Crowd an accessible and safe space for all who join. We thank the members of the committee from the Safer Spaces Project who advised us in creating an inclusive self-identification process.

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Matthew James Bio</div>
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<div class="p-rich_text_section">For Australian-born singer-songwriter Matthew James, music has always been a way to process life’s highs and lows. Now based in Hamilton, Ontario, he has found his voice in alternative and indie-folk music, crafting songs that dive deep into themes of mental health, resilience, and self-discovery. His honest storytelling and emotive delivery create songs that feel personal yet universally relatable—music that lingers long after the final note.</div>
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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Matthew began attending open mics in Calgary before regularly busking on Stephen Avenue in 2023, steadily building confidence in his performances. That same year, he successfully applied to the WriteOn! 23/24 songwriting program, where he refined his craft and connected with other songwriters. The experience pushed him to write more consistently, leading to over 100 songs in that year alone. Through the program, he had the opportunity to perform at The Calgary Folk Club and The Nickelodeon Music Club (The Nick).</div>
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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Then came <em>Monsters.</em></div>
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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Released as his debut single, <em>Monsters</em> introduced listeners to Matthew’s raw, introspective songwriting, balancing haunting melodies with deeply personal lyrics. The song’s themes of self-doubt, inner struggles, and resilience resonated widely, earning over 6,000 streams—a major milestone for an independent artist’s first release. But the success didn’t stop there. <em>Monsters</em> was selected as a semifinalist in the 2024 International Songwriting Competition (ISC), standing out among thousands of entries from around the world.</div>
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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Now, Matthew is preparing to release his follow-up single, "Solace in the Silence," out March 21st. This song shifts from the tension of Monsters to something more reflective—a reminder to pause, breathe, and find moments of peace when life feels overwhelming. It’s a track that Matthew hopes will offer comfort to those who need it, much like writing it did for him.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">With momentum building, Matthew has been back in the studio working with producer Mark Troyer (Evergreen Sound) to shape new material. His focus remains the same: creating music that’s real, honest, and emotionally resonant.</div>
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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Though still early in his career, Matthew James is quickly carving out a space for himself in the Canadian music scene. His ability to craft deeply personal yet universally meaningful songs makes him an artist to watch.</div>
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<div class="p-rich_text_section">With <em>Solace in the Silence</em> on the horizon and more music in the works, Matthew is just getting started.</div>
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<div class="p-rich_text_section">👉 Follow Matthew James on social media, stream his music, and sign up for the mailing list to stay updated on new releases and upcoming shows.</div>
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