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? Pt. 1" 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

A vintage airplane flying away from an explosion or bright light in the sky, with clouds and smoke in the background. The image has a dramatic, comic-book style with bold colors. The text "III LAST DANCE" is overlaid at the bottom.

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.

Man with beard wearing gray beanie, black shirt, and a red plaid shirt in front of a brick wall.

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.

That face you make when you have a gig this weekend! 😯 The fellas and I will be at the Brandon Summer Fair on Saturday night from 10:00–11:00 PM, tearing through some tunage!! Featuring: 👉My collection of greeheeheeasey guitar riffs 👉Cra
That face you make when you have a gig this weekend! 😯 The fellas and I will be at the Brandon Summer Fair on Saturday night from 10:00–11:00 PM, tearing through some tunage!! Featuring: 👉My collection of greeheeheeasey guitar riffs 👉Craig Metruk hitting the drums like they owe him money 👉Kevin Blair providing enough low end to register on the Richter scale 👉Wes Lipischak playing slick guitar licks while still being the nicest guy We hope to see you there! We’ll be in the Dome Building 🫡 📸 Cred on pics 1 & 2 @travamedia204 #bdnmb #summerfair
New tunage coming out on Friday!! Wooo! This is a very different tune from what I’ve done in the past, the song is meant to take you on a nice little journey. 🙌 What If We Knew Everything? Pt 1 will be available anywhere you stream music! Check out the writeup on my website in my bio if you wanna know more 👀 #newmusicfriday #newmusic
Looking forward to going back to Rapid City and hitting up the parking lot party with our buds from the Mike Sacharko band. It’s gonna be an excellent evening of good times, drinks and shenanigans. 🍻 We hope to see you there! #manitobamusic
Looking forward to going back to Rapid City and hitting up the parking lot party with our buds from the Mike Sacharko band. It’s gonna be an excellent evening of good times, drinks and shenanigans. 🍻 We hope to see you there! #manitobamusic #bdnmb #gigs
She’s been my calm in the chaos, my shoulder to lean on and the person who somehow still listens to my endless rants about things that probably don’t matter nearly as much as I think they do. There are days where one smile from her can c
She’s been my calm in the chaos, my shoulder to lean on and the person who somehow still listens to my endless rants about things that probably don’t matter nearly as much as I think they do. There are days where one smile from her can completely change the direction of my whole day. Happy three years ❤️
Still trying to process how amazing last night was at our very first Guitar Student Showcase at Lady of the Lake.🙌 We had 19 students take the stage and for many of them, it was their very first time performing live…. And to a sold out crowd
Still trying to process how amazing last night was at our very first Guitar Student Showcase at Lady of the Lake.🙌 We had 19 students take the stage and for many of them, it was their very first time performing live…. And to a sold out crowd. Watching each person step out of their comfort zone, play the songs they worked so hard on and share that moment with a room full of stoked and supportive people was incredible. I’m so proud of every student who put in the time, patience, discipline and courage to get up there and do it. Since this was the first showcase, I genuinely had no idea what to expect… but I couldn’t be happier with how the night turned out. Huge thank you to the staff at Lady of the Lake, Chris Froome for the sweet sound, the amazing crowd, all the families and friends who came out and especially the students for being so professional and supportive of one another all night long. The energy in the room was fantastic. Safe to say… this won’t be the last one. I’m thinking the next one will take place in November! 🎸🤔 #manitobamusic #bdnmb #guitarstudent
AC/DC shirt and a mellow improv jam? Sure why not. #guitarsolo #guitarist #lespaul #acdc #guitaristsofinstagram
Can’t wait to hit the stage at the Living Skies Music Festival on August 15th in Yorkton 🤘 Huge lineup this year featuring Dallas Smith, Jess Moskaluke, Big Sugar, Crash Test Dummies and Econoline Crush, alongside a bunch of killer artists all weekend long.🔥 Save up to $85 on tickets by using promo code MATT at Living Skies Music Festival website (link in bio). Gonna be a wild weekend of music, friends, sunshine and loud guitars! @livingskiesmusicfestival @dallassmithmusic @jessmoskaluke @big_sugar_music @crashtestdummiesofficial @econolinecrushofficial #yorkton #livingskies #musicfestival #canadianmusic
One of my favourite things to do is throw on a random backing track, not look at the key or anything and just figure it out on the spot. Half the time when I finish recording I think, “well… that was a bunch of nonsense.” Then I listen back later and hear a few little moments where I accidentally stumbled into something really cool that I don’t even remember playing. I guess that’s the fun of improvising. Sometimes your hands know where to go before your brain does. 🎸🙌 #guitarsolo #manitobamusic #lespaul #makemusic
Had a really interesting conversation with one of my guitar students the other day while we were getting ready for the upcoming student showcase. They asked me what it actually feels like to play on a stage in front of people. Honestly, it’s h
Had a really interesting conversation with one of my guitar students the other day while we were getting ready for the upcoming student showcase. They asked me what it actually feels like to play on a stage in front of people. Honestly, it’s hard to explain. The nerves are real, but when the adrenaline hits everything feels like it’s moving a million miles an hour or it doesn’t feel like it’s moving at all… to me, there’s nothing quite like it. The second you connect with the music and stop overthinking, it becomes one of the best feelings in the world. 🎸 📸 @travamedia204 #manitobamusic #performlive
We are so pumped to be part of @livingskiesmusicfestival in Yorkton, Saskatchewan this August! 💥 Can’t wait to be sharing the stage with all these fantastic bands!! We’ll be playing Day 2 with @big_sugar_music @crashtestdummiesoffic
We are so pumped to be part of @livingskiesmusicfestival in Yorkton, Saskatchewan this August! 💥 Can’t wait to be sharing the stage with all these fantastic bands!! We’ll be playing Day 2 with @big_sugar_music @crashtestdummiesofficial @econolinecrushofficial @blubeachband @thegreatfuss It’s going to be a sweet summer of great times making great memories doing what we love! 🤘 #livingskiesmusicfestival #canadianmusic
Back at The Dock on Princess tonight. 🙌 Two acoustic sets, good tunes, good people. 8:30 start, we’ll see you there! Bonus points if you know the song I was playing at the beginning of the video 😉 👁️‍🗨️👁️‍🗨️ #bdnmb #acoustic #manitobamusic
Just my cat and I vibing 👌🐱 #guitarist #guitarstagram #guitarsolo #improvise #gibsonlespaul
And now for something a little different… I’ve been teaching guitar for a number of years and it finally feels like the right time to show just how far so many students have come! So on Friday, May 22, we’re doing the very first:
And now for something a little different… I’ve been teaching guitar for a number of years and it finally feels like the right time to show just how far so many students have come! So on Friday, May 22, we’re doing the very first: 🎸 Guitar Student Showcase 📍 Lady of the Lake ⏰ 7:00 PM Each student will be getting up and performing a full song to a backing track of their choice. No safety net, just stepping up and playing in front of a live audience. For many of them, this will be their very first time doing that. I’m incredibly proud of the work they’ve put in. The growth, the confidence, the commitment… it’s been amazing to watch! There’s no cover charge… This night is for everyone. Come hang out, support these players and be part of something really special. #guitarstudent #showcase #bdnmb
🌕 Another full moon… another new release. Last Dance is officially out. 🕺 It’s a heavy, straight-ahead song with that gritty feel in the verses inspired by Alice In Chains. At its core, Last Dance is about sticking to something even
🌕 Another full moon… another new release. Last Dance is officially out. 🕺 It’s a heavy, straight-ahead song with that gritty feel in the verses inspired by Alice In Chains. At its core, Last Dance is about sticking to something even when you can see it’s not working anymore… but for whatever reason, you’re not ready to give it up. It’s very different from the last single, but that’s what makes this so fun, changing vibes and styles from one song to the next! Go give it a spin, crank it loud and let me know what you think 🤘 Link in bio. #newmusic #canadianmusic #hardrock
Super excited to share this next tune… Last Dance comes out on April 2! 🛩️ This track takes a bit of a turn from Spark in the Sky. There’s definitely more of my heavier influences creeping in here… you’ll probably catch so
Super excited to share this next tune… Last Dance comes out on April 2! 🛩️ This track takes a bit of a turn from Spark in the Sky. There’s definitely more of my heavier influences creeping in here… you’ll probably catch some Alice in Chains vibes, with maybe a little bit of later era Filter in the mix too. Also… I’ve decided that since these songs are all part of Hollow Sun, I’m going to start dropping a new track every full moon leading up to the release. Yeah… Hollow Sun… full moon… get it?!🌕🔥😬 Pre-save Last Dance in my bio! #newsong #manitobamusic #canadianrock #fullmoon
That face you make when you have a gig this weekend! 😯 The fellas and I will be at the Brandon Summer Fair on Saturday night from 10:00–11:00 PM, tearing through some tunage!! Featuring: 👉My collection of greeheeheeasey guitar riffs 👉Cra
New tunage coming out on Friday!! Wooo! This is a very different tune from what I’ve done in the past, the song is meant to take you on a nice little journey. 🙌 What If We Knew Everything? Pt 1 will be available anywhere you stream music! Che
Looking forward to going back to Rapid City and hitting up the parking lot party with our buds from the Mike Sacharko band. It’s gonna be an excellent evening of good times, drinks and shenanigans. 🍻 We hope to see you there! #manitobamusic She’s been my calm in the chaos, my shoulder to lean on and the person who somehow still listens to my endless rants about things that probably don’t matter nearly as much as I think they do. There are days where one smile from her can c Still trying to process how amazing last night was at our very first Guitar Student Showcase at Lady of the Lake.🙌 We had 19 students take the stage and for many of them, it was their very first time performing live…. And to a sold out crowd
AC/DC shirt and a mellow improv jam? Sure why not. #guitarsolo #guitarist #lespaul #acdc #guitaristsofinstagram
Can’t wait to hit the stage at the Living Skies Music Festival on August 15th in Yorkton 🤘 Huge lineup this year featuring Dallas Smith, Jess Moskaluke, Big Sugar, Crash Test Dummies and Econoline Crush, alongside a bunch of killer artists al
One of my favourite things to do is throw on a random backing track, not look at the key or anything and just figure it out on the spot. Half the time when I finish recording I think, “well… that was a bunch of nonsense.” Then I
Had a really interesting conversation with one of my guitar students the other day while we were getting ready for the upcoming student showcase. They asked me what it actually feels like to play on a stage in front of people. Honestly, it’s h We are so pumped to be part of @livingskiesmusicfestival in Yorkton, Saskatchewan this August! 💥 Can’t wait to be sharing the stage with all these fantastic bands!! We’ll be playing Day 2 with @big_sugar_music @crashtestdummiesoffic
Back at The Dock on Princess tonight. 🙌 Two acoustic sets, good tunes, good people. 8:30 start, we’ll see you there! Bonus points if you know the song I was playing at the beginning of the video 😉 👁️‍🗨️👁️‍🗨️ #bdnmb #acoustic #m
Just my cat and I vibing 👌🐱 #guitarist #guitarstagram #guitarsolo #improvise #gibsonlespaul
And now for something a little different… I’ve been teaching guitar for a number of years and it finally feels like the right time to show just how far so many students have come! So on Friday, May 22, we’re doing the very first: 🌕 Another full moon… another new release. Last Dance is officially out. 🕺 It’s a heavy, straight-ahead song with that gritty feel in the verses inspired by Alice In Chains. At its core, Last Dance is about sticking to something even Super excited to share this next tune… Last Dance comes out on April 2! 🛩️ This track takes a bit of a turn from Spark in the Sky. There’s definitely more of my heavier influences creeping in here… you’ll probably catch so