Songwriter Matt Holubowski album announce
Hudson, QC songwriter Matt Holubowski announces the release of his new album Inside The Merry Loop via Next Door Records on January 22nd and shares the debut single “Black Cloud”.
Photo Credit: Lawrence Fafard
A staple of Quebec’s acoustic folk scene, Inside The Merry Loop marks a shift in approach for Holubowski. After exploring and challenging the boundaries of folk music he is redefining his roots and returning to the fundamentals of his craft. Throughout Inside The Merry Loop Holubowski examines the loops that run through his life and his creative process: habits, obsessions, and patterns that repeat themselves until they become impossible to ignore.
The first single “Black Cloud” speaks of addiction, patience, forgiveness, denial, desperation, and true love. It dances around a protagonist,” explains Holubowski, “who has clearly mastered the art of concealing their demons to the majority of people in their lives, but not to their partner.”
“For them, every evening becomes a guessing game: will they or won’t they? Loving someone through addiction can feel like a delicate dance, where every misstep brings you closer to catastrophe. You show them love, patience, and empathy, hoping they’ll find their way out before it’s too late. But with every mistake, frustration grows, and forgiveness becomes harder to come by. You wish you could wave a magic wand and make it all disappear, but ultimately, you know the choice has to come from them.”
Co-produced alongside Warren Spicer (Plants and Animals, Unessential Oils) and with contributions from trusted collaborators, including longtime creative partner Connor Seidel, Inside The Merry Loop is the result of several years of songwriting and personal experiences. As much inspired by his readings as by his own reflections, Inside The Merry Loop reflects Holubowski’s methodical approach to his craft, a process he refuses to consider finished too soon. The “loop” thus becomes both a way of life and a creative process.
A born-and-bred native of Hudson, a small town on the edge of the Ottawa River, Holubowski has carved out a prominent place for himself in Quebec’s folk music scene with his captivating performances. He is the recipient of a Gold Record for his album Solitudes (2017), winner of a Félix Award for English-language Album of the Year with Flowers on a Molten Lawn (2023), and a nominee for multiple GAMIQ and ADISQ awards.
Despite his success, uncertainty and questions remain at the heart of his creative process. Ever-changing, Holubowski constantly shifts his thoughts and hesitations as he creates. Uncertainty thus becomes a catalyst, a way to explore and seek out his own answers. From this process comes the singular voice that defines each of his albums.
Inside the Merry Loop will be Holubowski’s first release with Next Door Records. The label launched in 2019 with the release of Charlotte Cornfield's The Shape Of Your Name. The label has gone on to release records from some of Canada's best including The Weather Station, Super Duty Tough Work, and this year's Polaris Prize Shortlist records from Aquakultre, and Charlotte Cornfield. Next Door Records is an unwavering supporter of quality, creative ingenuity, and fairness in the Toronto, Canadian, and global music communities. The label aims to be regarded by artists as a trusted ally and partner in their careers, supporting their integrity, ambition, and desire to better the world through music
