Matthew Barber Performs for Olympic Torch, Vampire Musical

Some musicians might be stumped after performing at the Olympic Torch Relay ceremonies -- after all, how do you follow up a once-in-a-lifetime experience like that? Toronto-based troubadour Matthew Barber had no problem sorting out his next move though: head to Montreal and join the cast of 'Haunted Hillbilly.'

The campy musical adaptation of Derek McCormac's cult novel of the same name is a far cry from the dignified proceedings Barber enjoyed while performing the Olympic Torch Relay anthem, 'There's a Light/Cette Flame,' at stops in Whitehorse and Yellowknife last month.

"It's pretty fun. I wrote a bunch of songs for the show and am playing the music in it with two other guys," Barber tells Spinner. "We're on stage the entire time so we're kind of key characters, but we only have the odd line here and there -- we don't pretend to be actors."

Set in Grand Ole Opry-era Nashville, 'Haunted Hillbilly' tells the story of Hyram Woodside and his quest to become the brightest star in country music -- a dream put in peril by the diabolical plans of bloodsucking vampire couturier, Nudie.

"It's kind of a wacky and eccentric show," the Juno-nominated musician laughs. "There are all types of things going on -- you have to see it to really get an idea."

Despite his involvement in the outlandish 'cowboy carnival caper,' Barber promises that his forthcoming disc, 'True Believer,' follows in the folksy footsteps of 2008's 'Ghost Notes'. In other words, don't expect to hear him crooning about coffins on the upcoming effort.

"It definitely has a bit of a different sound than the last one," Barber explains. "The production is a bit bigger and a bit stronger and a bit more confident. It's more polished than the last [album] but hopefully without sacrificing a certain charm."

With veteran producer Howie Beck -- the mastermind behind Broken Social Scene-ster Jason Collett's last two efforts -- overseeing the project, Barber anticipates a warm reception when it's released in 2010.

"I'm quite confident that they're going to like it. I'm feeling good about it, I guess," the cheerful singer says. "The last record was pretty live off the floor and had that good rough-around-the-edges feel to it, which I think a lot of people appreciated. This one is less of this and a little more polished, but I think the songs are still going to resonate with people."