Matt Zaddy Releases Americana-Inspired Folk-Rock Single “Far Too Long”

The daily grind or rat race can completely consume a person and leave them feeling helpless and physically and mentally exhausted. You’re always in a rush and there’s never enough time to stop and smell the roses. Mississauga, Ontario-based folk-rock artist Matt Zaddy vividly describes this situation in “Far Too Long,” his latest single that shines with its Americana and alt-country flavors. It is also a song that deeply touched the musician, who was burning at three ends between his job, his family life and his musical activities.

Working a grueling 80-hour week between both disciplines, Zaddy was nearing a breaking point. After a heartfelt conversation with his younger brother, the musician realized that burnout had cost him a week of his life. This visual wake-up call led Zaddy to collaborate with Juno Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning producer Ross Citrullo to take “Far Too Long” from its beginnings to final fantastical form.

“I’ve always believed that music has the power to connect us,” says Zaddy of the song’s inspiration. “This song speaks to my own struggles with balance – between work, music, family and friends. I think we’ve all been there, and sometimes it takes you hitting a wall to realize we need to make a change.”

“Far Too Long” is deeply rooted in alt-country or Americana, as Zaddy sings about the passage of time and how much strength he needs to get through everyday life. On “Far Too Long” Zaddy is reminiscent of the work of early Jason Mraz, Shakey Graves, the Black Crowes around The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion or the Rolling Stones at their country peak. The folksy beginning blossoms into a large ensemble with some pub piano thrown in for good measure. In short, it’s a Southern-flavored staple of one of Mississauga’s best dishes.

Zaddy, who wrote the single, says “Far Too Long” was recorded at RHC Music in Toronto with Citrullo, who produced it. The space and collaboration resulted in a song whose energy was immediately captured and the bed tracks were completed in under an hour. “We recorded the vocals, bass, organ and drums live from the floor and that made all the difference in the feel and sound of the song,” says Zaddy. “Live recordings give the song something spontaneous and honest, something haunting.”

“Far Too Long,” mastered by Connor Salmoral at Salmoral Studios, features Zaddy on lead vocals, percussion, electric guitar and acoustic guitar. Citrullo adds percussion while Adam Cannon provides both percussion and drums. The single also features bassist Curtis Freeman, Miles Evans-Branagh on organ and piano, and backing vocalist Heather Christine.

The single is another great release for Zaddy, who released his debut EP Perfect Moments in 2015, which was followed by his debut album Be in 2019. The musician’s 2023 single “What Comes Around” was a huge success, garnering over 162,000 YouTube views and airplays in 10 countries. Zaddy has also performed at various festivals including Canadian Music Week, Caldeon Day with Sam Roberts, Folk Music Ontario’s Spotlight Showcase, London, VenueXVenue Festival in Ontario and VegTO Festival in Toronto. He also recently appeared as part of the cast of Becoming The Beatles Unplugged, which performed in Kitchener, Ontario in October.

Now that “Far Too Long” is ready to make waves and gain more listeners internationally, Matt Zaddy should prepare for more work and recognition. It’s a song that resonates with anyone trying to cope with daily pressures. And to steal the closing line from “Far Too Long”: This single proves that Matt Zaddy is making progress!

Looking forward, Matt Zaddy plans to get back into the studio in the spring of 2025 to begin recording a new album and continue to expand his Americana and alt-country sound.

Matt Zaddy 2024 Ontario Concerts:
December 6, 2024 – Stonehooker Brewery (7:00 p.m. start) – Port Credit, ON
December 20, 2024 – Stonehooker Brewery (7:00 p.m. start) – Port Credit, ON