MATTHEW SPROULE IS...
Oogway is the solo indie-pop project of Matthew Sproule, based out of Vancouver, Canada.
His debut album, Sessions, details his transformation from conscripted soldier to emerging artist. Narrated by chiffon hooks and fungal grooves, Sessions serves as a sounding board for Matthew to process his complex feelings following military service.
The album introduces two alter egos: a patient (Oogway) with a misconstrued belief that his emotional trauma is the sole fuel of his artistic creativity, whereas the doctor (Dr. Blue) is a neurotic, logical, thinking machine.
Their interaction reflects Matthew’s internal conflict, where Dr. Blue instigates the suppression of artistic identity to drive Oogway’s struggles below the surface.
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Read Matthew's interview with UBC's campus newspaper, The Ubyssey, here.
Oogway’s live shows are a distinct experience that further enhances the album’s narrative, propelled by Matthew's animated stage presence. The songs' playful grooves and slithering melodies collide with built-in crowd participation, blurring the barrier between artist and listener. Sessions provides a canvas for Matthew to explore his balance between authenticity and evolution, lending itself towards a dialogue about the culture of overdiagnosing mental illness. Sessions will be released on all streaming platforms in 2025.