A songbird in the hand is worth two in the studio. Matt Mays revisits his latest album, Once Upon a Hell of a Time…, to give us Twice Upon a Hell of a Time…, the acoustic re-imagining of the same album. Mays announced the release of the album with its first single, “Ola Volo.”
Which is by no means a slight on Mays for double-dipping on the material. There’s a wonderful sense of insight presented when an artist strips down their music and unveils it in a new light. The acoustic album follow-up may be something of a standardized convention, but it’s still an opportunity for a do-over. It allows artists and audiences to explore the “what-if” situation of a fresh approach.
“I think if a song has meaning and is played with heart it can be done in a million different styles, tempos, time signatures, and colours,” says Mays about the album.
“Once Upon a Hell of a Time… is a Saturday night record,” says Mays. “This version is for the hangover on Sunday.”
Speaking of insights, “Ola Volo” is a great place to find them for Twice Upon a Hell of a Time… Rather than being the album’s title-track, “Ola Volo” is more like the cover-track, taking inspiration from the Vancouver-based mural artist of the same name who created the original album art for both records.
The song sings of searching for an escape, likely from the unfortunate circumstances that inspired Once Upon a Hell of a Time…, which Mays finds in the artwork of Ola Volo.
“Her name is Ola Volo
She paints the ceiling above the beast
Above the monster that we call life
Please paint me out of what no one will remember
So let me know if you see her
Cause I really need to meet her
Gotta ask her for a favour
To get me out of here”
The full acoustic experience of Twice Upon a Hell of a Time… will be available via Sonic Records & Warner Music Canada on October 19th, 2018.
Tour Dates:
09.05.18 – Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar
09.06.18 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
09.07.18- Vancouver, BC @ SKOOKUM
09.11.18 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
09.13.18 – Detroit, MI @ The Magic Bag
09.14.18 – Rochester, NY @ Abilene Bar & Lounge
09.15.18 – Buffalo, NY @ Leopard Lounge (Town Ballroom)
09.16.18 – Boston, MA @ City Winery
09.17.18 – Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
09.18.18 – Philadelphia, PA @ Bourbon & Branch
09.20.18 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java
09.22.18 – St. John’s, NL @ Iceberg Alley