True blue

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

The closest thing, on the Plateau, to the Wheel Club’s longstanding country night in NDG would be the weekly bluegrass night at Barfly every Sunday, celebrating its tenth year this week. Hosts Matthew Large and Mark Peetsma have provided a stage for up-and-coming bluegrass players and old-timers alike, as well as helped educate the public and share their passion for this often overlooked genre. Having provided a launching pad for Montreal alt-country success stories like Angela Desveaux and Katie Moore, the night still proves to be one of Montreal’s best-kept secrets. The Mirror talked to co-host Matthew Large, of Hello Darlin’ Productions, over the phone.

Mirror: Sustaining a residency for such a marginalized form of music for 10 years must’ve been a challenge.

Matthew Large: There’s always an ebb and flow of people coming out every Sunday night, which kind of coordinates with mainstream interest and disinterest in country and bluegrass music. The Barfly, though, is a perfect venue for this kind of music, because we can pretty much pack it to the gills on a regular basis now.

M: After all of this time, it’s hard to imagine the night in any other setting than the Barfly.

ML: I don’t think the night would’ve succeeded in a lot of other places. Mark [Peetsma], myself and the core players that come out every week are also regular patrons at the bar. The Barfly also provides a really living-room type of atmosphere that is really conducive to the music. We don’t have an artist-and-venue type of relationship because we’re all friends that respect what each other does.

M: Over the 10 years, have you seen a lot of talent develop?

ML: I like to think that we are able to give people who may be just starting out the chance to grow, and we are seeing people that have really committed themselves to their craft and gotten really good over the years. Mark and I go out of our way to make newcomer musicians feel comfortable when they come out to play.

M: But you must’ve had some guys busting out Garth Brooks in the past.

ML: Well, sometimes people come with a good heart, and I have to gently tell them that Neil Young and the Grateful Dead aren’t really what the night is about, and then we ask them to learn a bluegrass or old country song and come back next week and give it another shot.

M: Have you been able to also educate newcomers to the music?

ML: I sure hope we are. My nightstand reading is always about the history of bluegrass and old-time country, so if people want to know more about people like the Carter Family or the Stanley Brothers, they just have to ask. Without a doubt, I think I’m proudest about the night when I know we’re turning people on to this music, and showing that it’s still alive and relevant. I also really get a kick when the night inspires people to take up the guitar again, or start singing, because I used to be that guy going to the early bluegrass nights. It’s just really great for people to have a place and maybe meet other likeminded musicians and start a band.