There's a new sound and voice in Vancouver in the Heart of Artful Commercial Drive, and it hails from New Zealand.

On recent summer evenings, East Vancouver-ites and Commercial Drive Explorer's could be seen stopping in their tracks as they pass the open bay windowfront of Falconetti's on the Drive. The sound emanating from within is primal, dark, ferocious. It's the blues from the one-man-band Matt Hoyles - a New Zealand transplant who has been wowing music-lovers during his residence at Falconetti's.

With his driving foot-percussion, expertly played guitar and howlingly expressive vocals, Hoyles has made his presence known in one corner of North America. From the talent on display, the rest of the world, too, will soon know his name.