Music journalist, author, musician and Shepparton native Joe Matera is coming to the Shepparton Library on Thursday, March 2 at 8pm.
He said he would be putting on a live show, a songwriting workshop and launching his new album The Lone Runner, due for release on March 17.
Mr Matera recently signed a record deal with Possum Records.
“They help promote and support my music. It’s a very hard industry, so that support is crucial,” he said.
Mr Matera said he still owned all his masters, but was happy to have found a home for his music.
He said most people who went on runs alone would wear headphones and escape into music, and that’s where the concept for The Lone Runner came from.
Mr Matera said his new album was a bit of a departure from his usual guitar driven pop-rock music, exploring a new all instrumental sound using electronica, beats, guitar and synths to create an “ambient and chilled outing”.
“Music is so powerful, it can make you feel things. It can make you happy, make you feel sad,” he said.
“Say you had a hard day at work, you can come home, pop this on and just relax.
“It’s relaxing but still melodic and enjoyable.
“It hooks you in with all the different soundscapes, a bit of acoustic guitar, keyboard, some electric guitar but used tastefully and sparingly.”
Mr Matera said he wasn’t a music purist, and he wanted his music to be radio friendly and appeal to a wide range of people.
“It’s important to me that my music is hummable, and has real melodic content,” he said.
Mr Matera said that the album is basically solo, with him playing most of the instruments himself.
“The musical side is pretty easy for me, I normally just sit down and start playing until I find something I like, and then I see where it takes me,” he said.
Mr Matera said he could’ve had his album launch in Melbourne, but decided being from Shepparton it was only right to come back to his routes and share it with the local community.
He said there would be something for everybody at his Shepparton Library appearance.
“I will be doing a a couple of acoustic songs, maybe throw in a few covers, before playing a few tracks from the album. It’ll be good times,” he said.
“I will also be doing a bit of a song writing workshop, so if people want some behind-the-scenes stuff about how their favourite songs are made, I’ll be doing that too.
“All ages can hopefully take something from it, so come in and have an enjoyable evening.”
Mr Matera said it was free entry, and anybody who wanted to come could book a seat by calling the library.