Voodoo Six guitarist Matt Pearce has announced the release of his first solo album, on which he'll be backed by his band 'The Mutiny.' The record, titled 'Gotta Get Home’ will be released on 3rd May via Mutinear Records.

The Glasgow-born guitarist has been based in London for many years, and the hard rocking blues, funk and soul record will feature some of the city's top talent alongside Pearce on lead vocals, guitar and songwriting duties. He produced the album himself, and it was mixed by Voodoo Six bandmate Tony Newton who recently produced Iron Maiden's 'Book Of Souls: Live' release.

Watch the lyric video for 'Set Me Free' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7AMgx4YajQ

“I can’t wait to share this new album with the world,” says Matt, “I wanted to combine the sounds that I love: rocking blues and funky, soulful grooves. All these songs came so naturally that I knew I was playing from the heart. I could call it a ‘Funky Soul-a-delic Blues Rock Jam Thing’, but you can just call it a seriously funky blues band, like the Black Crowes playing Prince songs, or vice versa..."

The record includes contributions and collaborations from guests including: Joe Lazarus (drums), Jon Moody (keys), Kez Gunes (bass), and female vocalist Acantha Lang. “I was fortunate enough to work with the cream of the London blues scene to make this dream a reality, so to now be at the point of releasing this music is hugely exciting!” Pearce goes on.

Pearce has released five albums with Voodoo Six since the band formed in 2005. They've toured extensively and notably supported Iron Maiden on their Final Frontier tour in 2013, crisscrossing the continent and playing stadiums all across Europe. Their most recent album 2017's 'Make Way For The King,' the band's first with new singer Nik Taylor-Stoakes which was recorded at Steve Vai's Mothership Studios in LA. Planning for the band's sixth album is underway now, but Pearce has found time in between for this exciting solo project after feeling the need to stretch himself a year ago.

“I felt disobedient... I felt defiant... And I felt like I had to mutiny... I'd always engaged with the bluesier, groovier songs from the bands I loved: bands like The Stones, Zeppelin and Free. Yeah, I was captivated by their relentless rock n roll spirit, but it was the rhythmic grooves in their funkiest tunes that I also loved. These bands had soul."

Pearce put together the new band and have so far played festivals including Winterstorm and shows as far afield as Moscow, Russia while Matt worked on tracks for the album. “These songs have almost written themselves,” he reflects, “They are songs that have become very personal to me: As if my inner voice has suddenly become much stronger. It wasn't as if I stumbled upon these songs by accident: on the contrary, they tracked me down. I can't stress how uncanny the experience has been.”

The band have three shows currently announced:

April 13: HRH Blues

Sept 7/8: HRH CROWS

Dec 8: Planet Rockstock

For more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/mattpearceguitar/

Author: Cameron Arndt

Cameron Arndt is a musician and freelance writer from Glasgow, Scotland. He writes for his own music review website (www.rockandrolltraffic.com) and also contributes to Music Talkers.