Peter Mathieson

Peter Mathieson is a Toronto-based folk singer, songwriter, guitarist, and humourist whose work combines sharp observational writing with a dry, often sardonic wit. Active in the 1970s Canadian folk scene, Mathieson wrote ‘Yonge Street,’ a song later recorded by Raffi for his 1975 album Good Luck Boy. In 1977, Mathieson released his own single on Ixtlan Records, pairing ‘Yonge Street’ with ‘Heaven Help the Fool,’ produced by Gaye Delorme.

Mathieson’s songs often begin in familiar folk, blues, or old-time forms before turning unexpectedly into comic or satirical territory. Pieces such as ‘He Was a Good Ole Folksinger,’ ‘Necrophilia Rag,’ and ‘The Collected Works of Blind Boy Pudley’ show his gift for straight-faced delivery, black humour, and playful subversion of traditional song conventions. At the same time, his repertoire also includes more reflective material, including originals such as ‘Time for a Change’ and instrumental pieces such as ‘Dulcimer Lady,’ alongside interpretations of traditional songs including ‘The Water Is Wide’ and ‘Maggie.’

After a lengthy period away from regular performance, Mathieson returned to active playing in Toronto’s folk and open-stage circuit, where he was warmly received by fellow musicians for both his songwriting and stage presence. His 1996 album Unscrewed collected a selection of originals and traditional material, presenting the range of his writing from comic folk satire to more delicate acoustic pieces. In recent years, Mathieson has continued writing and recording, completing enough new material for a full album, adding a late-career chapter to a body of work rooted in wit, resilience, and the enduring Toronto folk tradition.

-Robert Williston