Matt Zaddy picks up right where he left off with A Dear Friend in his latest single and video — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
A timely ode for the pandemic era, A Dear Friend — which actually comes from his 2019 EP Be — is a song that surmises the importance of keeping our loved ones close. “This song has been very special to me for since the day I wrote it,” the Mississauga folk-rocker explains. “I was thinking about how my best friends in my 20s were people I played music with and, when the band we were in together ended, we didn’t see each other nearly as much as any of us would like. A Dear Friend is an affirmation and a reminder for me to make time for the people that I care about. This rang true even more so during the pandemic when no one could see their friends as often.”
Working with Juno-nominated, Emmy-winning producer Ross Citrullo, Zaddy created a coffeehouse vibe that is gentle on its edges while still staying true to its roots. “I had a great time working with Eric Soto on the video as well,” Zaddy says. “We wanted to show what a day in my life was like during COVID. It was solitary on most days, but with the hope of seeing my friends and family again soon. The video starts out with me very much on my own, and ends with a combination of Zoom calls, humour, and a taste of a live show, with the line, ‘it’s good to be back.’ This video is a taste of hope that this year will be better than the last, that we can get back to things as we knew them.”
A decorated musician who has shared the stages with K’Naan, Francesco Yates, Tom Cochrane and Jim Cuddy, Zaddy excels in being authentic, and genuine in his delivery. During the pandemic, he focused his attention on live streams and pre-recorded concerts. A teacher of his craft, he also leaned into music education and content creation, hosting online events for artists.
Watch A Dear Friend above, check out Be below, and find Matt Zaddy at his website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
