LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: Floral Park
- Michael Drukarsh
- Apr 21
- 5 min read
By: Michael Drukarsh - The local craft brewery in Newmarket, The Market Brewing Company, seemed like a very appropriate place to meet for this month’s Local Artist Spotlight. The casual atmosphere suited Matt Deir, guitarist and lead vocalist, as he arrived sporting his denim and trademark cowboy boots. Following closely behind him, Julian Antonini lead guitarist and vocalist and Rob Bourrie on stand up bass and backing vocals joined us as we sat down to chat about Floral Park's history, current status and what the future holds for these Newmarket natives.
Matt’s family cottage sitting alongside Lake Couchiching in Northern Ontario gave the band its name. With many August weekends spent celebrating with family and friends up there, Matt found his musical inspirations and when it came time to start and name his first band, Floral Park felt like not only a cool name but a fitting tribute to the place he loved.
With an official start in the spring of 2019, the first version of Floral Park, as a three piece, broke into the scene doing open mics and grabbing spots wherever they could. At the time, Newmarket had a great music scene with spots like Colonial Mustard’s and Bar 97 giving Floral Park the opportunity to practice their craft in front of a live audience.
It was in Bar 97 where a chance encounter with Julian Antonini would bring Floral Park to the next level. According to Matt, “one day, this guy walks in (pointing to Julian), swings his chair around, throws his leg up on the chair and he’s like watching us playing. And I am looking at him because I’ve been watching videos of this guy on Instagram for the last two weeks. I needed a guitar player and this is the guy I was going to reach out to.”
After a chat about musical influences Matt and Julian agreed to jam. Soon a new drummer was added to the mix along with their bassist at the time and Floral Park continued as a four piece until 2022 when Rob was introduced to Matt through Julian. The core of Floral Park, consisting of Matt, Julian,and Rob would be solidified. A few drummers have come and gone since, but now, Andy Deir (father of Matt) sits behind the kit and the band is now in a place where they feel it is time to move forward with their ambitions.
With Rob and Julian having a history of playing together since elementary school talent shows, it was easy for Julian to bring Rob to Matt’s attention. Showing up to audition for a rock band, though with a standup bass, was something that Floral Park was not quite ready for. Rob won the band over though, “It took a little while for the band to get accustomed to it. It just kept showing up and the band just didn’t miss the electric.” The standup bass allows the band to expand their repertoire of covers and gives a richness to their original pieces. As for the visual, having the audience watch Floral Park set up and seeing that bass on stage peeks at the curiosity. Rob also wants to point out that he is asked at almost every show if it is a cello (in fact someone shouted it out at this gig, five minutes into the set) and wants to set the record straight, “No, it is not a cello”.
During the writing process, both Matt and Julian agree that they will take into consideration the audience at a live show and try to create an “undeniable dancer” but are also keen on writing epic rock tunes like “Do It Again” off their second album Meet in the Middle. Rob also pointed out “Sticky Sweet” from the same album, “It’s kinda a heavy one, definitely not a dancer. Some of them are like you just mess around and the riff comes out of it and you just go with it. Other times there is intention.”
With four EPs under their belt, and the recently released LP, Forgotten Memories, Floral Park has a lot of music to choose from to fill their set. However, across the local scene, they are known for their amazing covering. A regular at Newmarket’s Old Village Free House, Floral Park understands their audience and delivers unique versions of classic rock songs including a bluegrass cover of "Get Back" by the Beatles and a countrified version of "Purple Rain" that would make Prince proud. With a loyal following wanting to hear originals as well, the band will throw in tunes such as "Train Train", "All Night Long", and "Runaway Girl" to satisfy the fans.
From rocking out on 2020’s Look at the Moon to the much heavier sound of 2025’s Temperature High Floral Park has shown their ability to take on a wide range of genres. And now, 2026’s tunes from Forgotten Memories, a record made up of tunes that have been sitting in the pocket for years, recorded with only Deir and Antonini (Bourrie was still in the “feeling out” mode so doesn’t make an appearance) in the cottage studio where their first EP was recorded, Floral Park once again shines with tunes such as the county feel of "Annie Marie" and "Bound By Love" to the almost but not quite autobiographical "The Peterborough Barnburner". Inspiration for the music and even the album covers comes from a homegrown pride. Songs like the over 6 minute epic "Muskoka" or the already mentioned "Peterborough Barnburner" are loving tributes to Ontario’s beautiful cottage country. While subtle clues like the goat on the cover of Look at the Moon or the not so subtle title of the third EP, Eagle Street pay homage to Newmarket itself.
Rob is constantly challenging the band with his subtle Jazz infused parts on the standup bass which in turn helps Floral Park continue to grow and mature both in sound and technique. As he puts it, “They say a bassist is never wrong, but a bassist will make everyone else sound wrong”.
It was a pleasure sitting down with Floral Park, asking questions that allowed Matt, Julian, and Rob to reminisce about the past and talk with excitement about the future. All the current members are looking to create new tunes together, with a southern rock flavour and to a string of shows including, NXNE and the CNE Midway Stage.
Photo Gallery (all photos by: Michael Drukarsh)
Floral Park Online
Comments