The New South Wales based musician has had a productive lockdown working on his upcoming album, also called Somewhere in Soho. Matt spent much of the past few years touring through Europe and he has gathered up his thoughts and experiences to put them into words and music.
Hey Matt, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
I think growing up listening to my mum blast break up ballads on tape on long car journeys set the tone for my first listening experiences.
What do you think your role is in this world?
I think it changes depending on the circumstance and sometimes it changes or evolves. I think helping others and building community in any facet is one of my roles.
Your latest track is ‘Somewhere in Soho‘. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
Oh man. Soho a song that’s followed me for years that I only recently had the heart to release. At its centre it’s a ballad remembering a week in London where I came across unfettered love. The one in all of the books. The book a hotel in a random country and just fly there love, pick flowers in the street and read poetry love. The love without consequence love. The hurt and be hurt love. The innocent love.
I recorded it with so many producers. I have a mix in my files that was mixed by the mixing engineer on Toto 4, which maybe i’ll release one day. Everything that I wrote about came true in that song and it still wrecks me singing it live.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Be kind.
How do you spend your time?
I live on a little farm in the Blue Mountains just out of Sydney. I spend my time exploring towns around, bushwalking, seeing my friends and family and reading books.
What are you most proud of?
The community that I have built around me and my sister, Laura.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Jeff Buckley
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
Remain curious. Always be curious.
Do you think that technology is improving lives?
Maybe we need to understand the definition of improving first haha. Technology is a double edged sword. It does bring us closer together and let’s me interact with fans in ways that were previously difficult to do without being constantly on tour. The challenge for me is to embrace this whilst keeping the human element at the forefront of everything that I do.
What are your plans for the future?
I’ve almost completed this run of releases and then go back in to the studio to record new work and am in the midst of planning a European tour. I’m excited at what is to come.