A heap of accolades follow Sault artist's video release (video)

Local CBC Radio fans and listeners of q heard a familiar name as they tuned into this morning's episode.

Kalle Mattson, riding a wave of publicity and accolades following the release of his latest music video, was today's in-studio musical guest.

"He writes songs with perspective and sensitivity beyond his years," said guest host Jelena Adzic of the Sault-born 24-year-old singer songwriter.

"From his expansive, intricate songwriting to his dazzling music videos, Kalle Mattson has set his sights on the stars."

Performing tracks from his upcoming EP Avalanche, Mattson was joined in-studio by bandmates Rory Lewis, JF Beauchamps, Martin Charbonneau, Philippe Charbonneau, and Pascal Delaquis.

"q is about as big as it gets for a musician in Canada," Mattson told SooToday. "I've been listening to that show for a really, really long time and I've always dreamed about playing it because it's so important. It was awesome to be asked to play and it was really good timing with the upcoming EP and recent video."

The video in question, the title track from his Avalanche EP, was presented to the world by Bob Boilen of NPR on July 30.

Directed by Philip Sportel and produced by Matt Power for Mad Ruk Entertainment, the video features 34 album covers as an homage to the music and artists that Mattson says have influenced his work.

It's an idea he came up with some time ago, he said, and artists such as Tom Waits, The Ramones, Wilco, Bruce Springsteen, Elliot Smith, Bob Dylan, Jay-Z and many more are represented.

"I own all of those records, besides the Backstreet Boys one," Mattson joked. "But I picked records that have influenced me and covers that I love."

Since its NPR premiere, the Avalanche video has been viewed more than 86,000 times on YouTube and has been shared by the likes of Exclaim!, PetaPixel, CBC, and Laughing Squid to name a few.

"The internet is a pretty fickle place, so success is definitely not a guarantee. But this video is doing really well," he said.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Avalanche video, click here.

He opened today's episode of q with the track, and played A Long Time Ago, Baby Blue, and Lost Love from the upcoming EP.

To listen to Mattson on CBC's q, click here.

Avalanche is set for release on August 21 and is available for pre-order here.

Kalle Mattson is scheduled to perform in Sault Ste. Marie at Loplops on October 16.

More arts and entertainment on SooToday.com