Matt Foy is a staple in the Sudbury music scene.

Called the “longest going house musician,” at the Townehouse Tavern, he has been gracing the stage there for about 23 years — since he was 14 years old.

His energetic sound touches on a range of genres, from reggae to old style ’60s ska, to blues to surfer rock.

All of these sounds can be heard on his most recent CD, Shine.

Foy exclusively wrote and played just about every song on the 20-track album.

“It’s really fun,” he said. “It’s a fun disc. It’s not a quiet, shut up and listen, type thing.”

I encourage people to have fun, and not sit there like oil paintings.

Matt Foy,
musician

Unlike this first, “well-rehearsed,” self-titled CD that was released in 2004, Foy went into the studio to create Shine with some songs that weren’t completed, and some that weren’t even started.

After 14 days at Cosmic Dave’s Sound Emporium, he said the project came to a logistical end.

“I’m hoping everybody’s going to like it,” he said.

When asked if any tracks stood out to him, Foy responded by saying “I equally love and hate them all.”

All songs were recorded onto two-inch tape, leaving little room to mask errors.

He said some words came out off pitch, and sometimes the words didn’t even come out right, but Foy said he feels good about it.

“I’m glad that its finished,” he said.

Shine’s official CD release will be at Northern Lights Festival Boréal. After his solo performance at 9:30 p.m. on July 9, Foy said the show will likely stay alive at a “giant shindig” between The Laughing Buddha and the festival’s official off-site venue, the Towne House.

He also plays the main stage at the festival on July 10 at 1:30 p.m.

No matter where Foy is playing his music, he said he wants people to enjoy it.

“I encourage people to (listen to my music and) have fun, and not sit there like oil paintings,” he said.

Foy said he has played the Northern Lights Festival Boréal about 12 times before.

“I like it for the local feel,” he said. “You end up jamming with really cool bands.”

He will also drum for performers Kate Maki and Brian Dunn.

After recording Shine, Foy said he had enough new material to cover half of a second CD. He said when he does go back to the studio, he will likely take the same approach he took to make Shine, but he isn’t planning it anytime soon.

“I just want to keep playing cool music with creative people,” he said.

After the official release of Shine, copies of it can be purchased at Records on Wheels, directly from Foy or online at www.myspace.com/mattfoy1973