BAKER CITY — Matt Andersen never had a chance to avoid music, growing up in a musical family on the east coast of Canada.

“It was something you did to fit in,” he said with a laugh.

He learned how to play bass, drums and tuba — but switched to the guitar at 14.

Guitar, he said, is an easier instrument to play at parties — unlike the tuba.

For years he worked full time while playing music on the weekends. Then he faced a decision.

“I realized I had to quit one of them,” he said.

That was in 2001, and he’s been playing music ever since.

“The music scene is big here,” he said of Nova Scotia, where he’s lived for more than 15 years. “I just played as much as I could. No one hears you at home.”

At first, his stages were at open mic nights, jams and local bars. Now he plays about 200 shows every year, touring the United States and abroad.

“I don’t think there’s a state we haven’t played in, except Hawaii,” he said.

He grew up on classical rock, folk and country, and describes his own sound as “roots and soul.”

He’s stopping in Baker City on Sunday, Feb. 5, to play a show at Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St. Fellow Canadian musician Mariel Buckley will open the concert.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the music starts at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $12 in advance at churchillbaker.com or $18 at the door. Admission is free for ages 15 and younger with a ticket-holding adult.

Andersen and Buckley are on a month-long tour that includes about 24 shows.

“I think we have three days off,” Andersen said. His new album, titled “The Big Bottle of Joy,” releases in March 2023.

Buckley’s new album “Everywhere I used to Be” is available now. For information, visit www.marielbuckley.com or find it on Bandcamp.