Halifax singer-songwriter and pianist Mat Hughes, known for his relatable, funny, and personal stories and lyrics accompanied by “very unserious, lively, Elton John-esque piano playing,” is turning existential unease into music with the release of his new EP, South-facing Dumpster.
I want people to feel like they’re not alone when they hear these songs. – Mat Hughes
The five-track project examines the emotional toll of living through ongoing social and environmental crises. “Each of the five songs offers listeners a different strategy for coping with the anxiety/dread many people feel these days,” says Hughes.
While Hughes admits the themes and topics are heavy, covering everything from the climate and affordability crises to societal collapse, he delivers them in a witty and accessible way. “[I hope] listeners are left feeling optimistic and encouraged to voice the existential thoughts and worries that can be hard to admit or talk about,” he says.
The title South-facing Dumpster emerged from one of the EP’s central metaphors. “A south-facing dumpster that sits in the sun all day seems like a dumpster that is most likely to accidentally catch fire,” Hughes says. “I wanted to write a song about a situation that felt like a bit of a ‘dumpster fire’ and this felt like a fun way of going about it.”
Among the tracks, Hughes says his favourite to perform is I’ve Got It All Figured Out, a song that uses irony and a rollicking piano solo to underscore the absurdity of pretending everything is fine. “There is a really fun, almost ragtime-sounding instrumental near the end of the song and the band and I really ham it up on stage,” he says.
The EP will be supported by a Canadian tour beginning in July. It will include a performance at The Stage at St. Andrew’s (6036 Coburg Rd, Halifax) on May 31, 2025. Tickets are available online.
South-facing Dumpster is available on May 23 on Spotify. You can also follow Mat Hughes on Instagram.