GRAVEN – “TEENAGE MEMORY MACHINE”
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE MUSIC PREMIERE
Matty McKechnie is Graven. The Canadian singer songwriter is releasing his 22nd offering in a full length 10 track album called Geographics. The album was fully recorded in 6 days in Halifax with Charles Austin overseeing things sonically at Ocean Floor Recording. The new travel-themed collection of tunes will be rolling out song by song (on Mondays and Fridays on Bandcamp) from Jan 26 to Feb 27, 2026. In Matty’s words: “Sometimes expansive, exposed and loud and other times quiet and inward, Geographics is the first album that features any vocals other than my own and a recurring use of the fiddle/violin – and I really didn’t want anyone other than my friend Melissa Payne to be that new voice. And it may even her sonic signature that is signalling that it’s never too late to open our creative minds and hearts a little wider.”
Having recorded and released albums and EP’s with renowned Canadian producer/engineer/music-makers Charles Austin, Jim Bryson and Joel Plaskett (or completely on his own), his lyricism always explores metaphysical yet relatable themes in a book like fashion. Matty has toured across Canada many times, and always has uplifting words and self-love promoting songs of support for anyone at his shows and his dedicated fan-base (who have dubbed themselves as “Graventown”). Whether solo, duo, trio or with his magical 5 man band (dubbed The New Band), Matty’s performances are raw, entertaining and warm. He has shared stages and opened for acts such as Sloan, Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Andy Maize, Peter and Leah (July Talk), Skye Wallace, The Killjoys, Steve Poltz, Danny Michel, Sarah Harmer, Elliott Brood, Kathryn Calder (New Pornographers), Great Lake Swimmers, Melissa Payne, Stephen Stanley, Ron Hawkins (Lowest of the Low) and many more. Graven always tries to create a highly accepting and inclusive community and his music has become a safe-haven for anyone and everyone who wants to be their real-self without judgement.
ARTIST QUOTE
“Teenage Memory Machine is a pivotal point of “Geographics”, where everything gets less character driven and metaphorical – and it’s a pretty literal and memory specific song about a crush I had when I was 16 years old. There are some vivid memory movies and loss and longing in there, but it’s also a celebration type song – because it’s focusing on the fact that even though youthful romantic feelings weren’t returned, I was able to gain a good, funny and smart friend who I would go on future adventures with.”
Graven
Geographics
(Independent)
Release Date: February 27, 2026
Pre-Save Geographics HERE
Artist Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: GRAVEN – SIMPLE COMPLEX
