Matt Cory Announces New Instrumental Single "What If We Knew Everything? Pt.1" — Out June 5
Brandon, Manitoba-based guitarist and songwriter Matt Cory is set to release his latest instrumental composition, "What If We Knew Everything? Pt. 1," on Friday, June 5.
Drawing inspiration from the innovative guitar work of Robert Fripp and the unique possibilities of King Crimson's famed New Standard Tuning, Cory approached the instrument from a completely different perspective. Rather than studying the tuning academically or attempting to master its theory, he chose a more instinctive path.
"I wanted to play from the heart instead of the mind," says Cory. "Rather than analyzing the tuning, I simply explored it through feel, creating random shapes and following wherever the music wanted to go."
The result is a deeply atmospheric and emotional instrumental journey that moves through a wide range of moods and textures. At times mellow and dreamlike, at others abrasive, aggressive and unsettling, "What If We Knew Everything (Part One)" is designed to reflect one of humanity's greatest mysteries: what happens when we die.
Inspired by accounts of near-death experiences and the idea of consciousness continuing beyond the physical body, the song serves as a musical representation of the soul's journey into the unknown. Through shifting dynamics, evolving melodies, and unconventional guitar voicings, Cory invites listeners to imagine what it might feel like to cross from one existence into another.
Adding further depth to the recording are performances from longtime collaborators Wes Lipischak on keyboards and Craig Metruk on drums. Their contributions help shape the song's cinematic atmosphere, providing both the expansive textures and dynamic energy that carry listeners through the various stages of the musical journey.
"What If We Knew Everything? Pt.1" continues Matt Cory's tradition of creating music that balances technical exploration with emotional storytelling, offering listeners an immersive instrumental experience that is both thought-provoking and deeply personal.
"What If We Knew Everything? Pt.1" will be available on all major streaming platforms on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Matt Cory is set to perform at the Living Skies Music Festival as it expands into Yorkton, Saskatchewan for a full two-day event this summer.
Taking place August 14–15, the festival brings together a diverse lineup of country and rock acts, including Dallas Smith, Jess Moskaluke, Big Sugar, Crash Test Dummies, and Econoline Crush, alongside a strong roster of emerging and regional artists.
Matt Cory will be performing on Day 2 (August 15), joining the rock lineup for what’s shaping up to be one of the standout nights of the weekend.
Living Skies has quickly built a reputation as one of Western Canada’s fastest-growing festivals, offering a full weekend experience with live music, food vendors, and on-site camping at the Yorkton Exhibition Grounds.
🎟 Tickets & Info: LivingSkiesMusicFestival.com
Matt Cory’s Next Single From Hollow Sun Album,
“Last Dance” out now
“Last Dance” is one of the heavier moments from Hollow Sun, leaning into a darker, more aggressive side of Matt Cory’s sound while still holding onto the melodic edge that defines the record.
At its core, the song is built around a powerful metaphor—a plane going down. It captures that unmistakable moment when you know something isn’t going to work out. There’s no fixing it, no turning back, no escaping what’s coming.
But “Last Dance” isn’t about defeat.
Beneath the surface, it’s about choice.
It’s about staying on that plane—not because you’re trapped, but because it means something to you. Because it’s yours. Because you believe in it. Because you love it.
Where some might hear failure, the song reframes it as conviction. There’s a quiet strength in going down with something you care about, in refusing to walk away just because the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
Sonically, the track channels heavier influences, bringing in a grittier, more intense energy that contrasts with earlier singles like “Spark in the Sky.” It’s raw, direct, and built to hit hard—both musically and emotionally.
“Last Dance” drops Thursday, April 2, continuing the rollout of Hollow Sun—with another release already on deck as the album continues to unfold.
This is a song about standing your ground when everything’s on the line… and choosing to see it through to the end.
Stream it Here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mattcory/last-dance
Matt Cory to Perform at Rockin’ the Fields
Matt Cory will be performing this summer at one of Manitoba’s most iconic rock festivals, Rockin’ the Fields of Minnedosa, taking place July 31 – August 2 in Minnedosa.
Matt is scheduled to perform on Friday, July 31 at the Heritage Co-op Hilltop Stage, bringing his guitar-driven rock sound to the festival crowd alongside other performers including Last Kiss and The 12/21.
Each summer, Rockin’ the Fields transforms the scenic lakeside amphitheatre at Lake Minnedosa into a three-day celebration of classic rock, camping, and community. The festival has become a staple of the prairie music scene, drawing thousands of fans from across Manitoba and beyond for a weekend filled with live music and summer atmosphere.
The 2026 edition continues that tradition with a lineup that includes legendary rock acts such as Collective Soul, Cheap Trick, Quiet Riot, Helix, and 54‑40, making it one of the biggest rock weekends of the summer in Western Canada.
For Matt Cory, the performance marks another milestone in a year that continues to build momentum. Known for blending the grit of ’90s alternative with modern hard rock, Matt’s live shows are built around powerful guitar riffs, soaring melodies, and the kind of raw energy that feels right at home at a prairie rock festival.
Fans attending the festival on Friday can catch Matt Cory live at the Heritage Co-op Hilltop Stage as the weekend of music kicks off in Minnedosa.
“Spark in the Sky” Out Now
My new single Spark in the Sky is officially out everywhere!
This track leans into a slightly different side of my sound, blending atmospheric alternative rock with a big melodic chorus. It’s a mid-tempo anthem built around layered guitars and a sense of lift, inspired by the kind of expansive rock that bands like Filter and Foo Fighters have done so well.
I’m really proud of how this one came together. Huge thanks to the incredible musicians who played on the track — Dane Neufeld on guitar, Craig Metruk on drums, and Ian Morrice on bass — for bringing so much energy and feel to the recording.
If you’ve already streamed it, shared it, or sent a message about the song, thank you. Every listen genuinely helps get the music out to more people.
Spark in the Sky is available now on all streaming platforms.
who is
matt cory?
Matt Cory is a Canadian rock artist from Brandon, Manitoba, delivering guitar-driven songs that fuse ‘90s grit with a modern edge. With standout appearances at festivals like Dauphin’s Countryfest, and upcoming summer 2026 performances at Rockin’ the Fields of Minnedosa and Living Skies Festival, he continues to build momentum across Western Canada—sharing stages with acts like Helix, Quiet Riot, Big Sugar, and Crash Test Dummies. His upcoming album Hollow Sun arrives in 2026.
