top of page

GREY MATTERS DUO

Linda MacDonald & Bruce Matichuk

Genre: original singer-songwriter; an original blend of folk, rock and pop with jazz and blues elements

WHO IS THE GREY MATTERS DUO?

LINDA MACDONALD

Singer-Songwriter

From Sherwood Park, Alberta Linda heads up the Grey Matters Duo with creative lyrics and top-notch musicianship. Her determination and spunk have been the driving force behind the duo since the early 2000's. She has characteristic commitment to both detail and the big picture in the service of musical excellence.

BRUCE MATICHUK

Multi-Instrumentalist and Composer

With his boundless creativity and enthusiasm for music Bruce has been a source of new ideas and impetus for new songs. His talent on guitar and bass as well as his beautiful singing are the excellent framework that so many of the songs are built around.

PROJECTS

MUSIC

The music is often very raw; made without expensive equipment or many takes but it is full of spirit, thoughtfulness and wit. A truly enjoyable pairing of clever lyrics and creative musical ideas.

ART

Art has always been a huge focus of the video project. Linda has been tireless in collecting and showcasing the work of some truly remarkable visual artists, many of whom are friends and family and have given access to their work for free. Of course the quality of the art speaks for itself but we must give credit to its creators.

VIDEOS

Linda has always dreamed that the music that she and Bruce created would be able to find people who would appreciate and enjoy it. With the help of some technology and hard work, hopefully these videos will expand the audience for this excellent music.

ARTISTS

In order to put a face to music you have to have visuals. Thanks to these talented photographers and visual artists we have that covered

EVELYN BERG

Photographer

Evelyn Berg is from Edmonton, Alberta and is a long-time friend of Linda's. Her macro-style photography shows the beautiful side of the mundane with picture of rust on cars and plastic fencing.

LAUREL BORISENKO

Visual Artist

Laurel has worked around the world to alleviate suffering through emergency relief and child protection and brings a deep and compelling understanding of humanity to her art.

BERNADIN BATIONO

Visual Artist

Bernadin sees art as a therapy and his collaborative efforts with Laurel have given us some truly enigmatic and challenging art.

KATHRIN KAMARA

Photographer

With a generous flare for architecture, nature and bright, clean photos, Kathrin's art adds something special to every video it is in.

ROD SEBASTIAN

Photographer

Rod's photos of frogs and fields can be seen in Air Time, Saskatchewan Song and Johnny K.

HAL MACDONALD

Photographer

Shots of Edmonton statuary and European streets taken by Hal can be seen in Searchlight and The Token - No. 2 Song.

ALLISON MATICHUK

Photographer

A big thank-you to Bruce's wife Allison for taking some shots of the Duo back in the early 2000's. She is also a talented playwright, click below for her award winning radio play.

MARY LEE EDWARDS

Photographer

Mary Lee Edwards deserves recognition for great photos of Linda and Vaughn used in For the Love.

To see their art click the button below to be redirected to the Art page.

MUSICIANS

Many of the Grey Matter Duo songs have been recorded with the help and expertise of additional musical collaborators

JONATHAN EDWARDS

Multi-Instrumentalist and Producer

With Corvidae Music of Ottawa, Ontario, St. Johns' native Jonathan Edwards has brought the Grey Matters Duo's music to the level with his high quality recording and fantastic playing. According to Linda he is one half of the 'Edwards Effect' that she wishes she could have in all of her pieces.

VAUGHN EDWARDS

Guitarist

Vaugh Edwards, long time friend and collaborator of Linda's is a very talented and accomplished guitarist. He is the other half of the 'Edwards Effect'. He hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia. You can hear Vaughn on the album Life Behind These Bars.

BETH SCHULD

Pianist

Beth is one of Edmonton, Alberta's foremost pianists. As a singer and songwriter herself, she was more than capable of bringing the music of the Duo that extra spark. Listen to Sarah Said to hear her fantastic playing.

CHUCK HUNT

Mandolinist

Linda and Chuck played together in Scona Brae, a celtic band based in Sherwood Park, Alberta. His contributions to the Grey Matters Duo can be heard in the song Archangel.

BILL HOBSON

Multi-Instrumentalist and Producer

Out of Crowtown Productions in Edmonton, Alberta, Bill's talents are in demand as both a recording engineer/producer and musician. His vast number of skills include percussion as well as mixing and mastering. His good work can be heard in Paralyzer.

Patrick Gillen

Vocalist

Listen for Patrick on Zoomer Generation Remix.

Linda has always had big dreams for the Duo's music, big band arrangements, backup singers, professional recordings, more than one take... Not all of these dreams have come true but some of them have in the form of the musicians above. To hear them in their element, click the link below for the Music page.

VIDEO CAST AND CREW

Linda decided to go all out for one of the last videos. Costumes, sets and filming ensued. Watch Triumph to see these folks in action

REBECCA MCINTOSH

Video and Website Editor

Working with Linda via Skype and email, Rebecca has become an important part of the team. Her love of the Duo's music and willingness to try new things has helped the Duo's music go farther than they ever thought it would.

ERIN MACDONALD

Actress and Videographer

Playing the part of the young female lover in Triumph is just the beginning of Erin's talents. She also filmed several sections of Triumph herself.

LAURA MACDONALD

Actress

Linda's niece Laura plays the part of the soldier and the queen in Triumph.

LARS MELAX

Actor and Stagehand

Not only does he play the bugler, Lars can also be found lifting and carrying, helping out with the shoot.

AGNES MELAX

Videographer, Stagehand, Set and Costumes

Agnes' steady hands and good sense of composition were an excellent help in getting Triumph off the ground and onto the screen.

MARIE MACDONALD

Stagehand, Set and Costumes

Taking on sewing, carrying and decorating the set, Marie was invaluable to the creation of Triumph.

LLOYD MACDONALD

Stagehand

This intrepid helper was on the scene lifting and carrying, supervising and tearing down.

Without each of these wonderful individuals the project would not be the colourful, interesting and compelling finished product it has become. Click the link below to see our videos.

ABOUT

The Grey Matters songwriting duo (formerly Street Sign) is the collaboration of Linda MacDonald and Bruce Matichuk, both of Edmonton Area, Canada. Linda is a former physiotherapist, linguist and folk singer/musician now living with a severe neuro-immune illness, known as ME/CFS aka myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; Bruce is a singer, multi-instrumental musician, IT-business CEO and college instructor who is also working on his PhD at the University of Alberta. Bruce and Linda first began to create their refreshing, genre-dodging songs in 2003. Their songs are rooted in Bruce's prolific creativity and fascinating riffs and brought to life by Linda's playful lyrics and soulful vision. Due to Linda's illness, performances are not possible, however, their songs are coming to the world through this Project.

CONTACT

Want to learn more about Grey Matters Duo and their music? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Your details were sent successfully!

bottom of page