Originally hailing from wheat, sheep and cattle farms in the south west of WA, independent musician Chris Matthews first appeared on the Perth music scene back in 1999 as a young 17 year old instrumental guitarist. Since then, through a process of sheer hard work, drive and love of music, Chris has developed into one of Australia’s finest and well respected singer/songwriter/guitarists.
Taking a pinch of blues, a decent sprinkling of country, generous proportions of good foot stompin' rock and roll and topping it all off with sheer brute force and passion, Chris' live shows have become legendary for their astonishing guitar work, combined with intelligent songwriting and entertaining off the cuff stage banter. While many a performer treads the solo path these days, often the oomph required to pull off such a show is somewhat lacking. However, Matthews has enough energy and drive to make sure this is something that never happens. His remarkable skills on 6 and 12 string guitars, banjo and lap steel have amazed audiences from Broome to Batemans Bay. Armed with the afore mentioned instruments, a home made stomp box to drive the beat home and an impassioned and solid voice that could only come from the land of Australia, he is one of those performers who once seen, is one you never forget.
In his last three years Chris has been based in Kununurra, in the East Kimberley region of WA. Prior to his sabbatical in the wild frontier of the north west of Australia, Chris was one of the hardest touring artists in the trade. Playing over 250 shows each year in every distant corner of the land, late nights, 5 hour gigs, much broken gear and countless hours and kilometres on the road, he completed over 5 laps of the country in just under 5 years. Amongst all this he also held down a 10 month residency at the iconic Exchange Hotel in Townsville, ran Open Mic nights and musical events for 2 years in Melbourne, was booking agent and tour manager for acts such as Jordie Lane, Simon Phillips and fellow road dogs Ill Starred Captain, was working for the AusMusic Foundation and Australian Songwriters Association conducting music workshops at schools all around the country, and also found the time to continually keep writing and perfecting his craft.
What is all the more remarkable about this is that he has achieved all of this completely independantly, without the use of booking agents, managers, promoters or publicists. Matthews has also managed to release 4 EP’s and 1 live LP so far in his career, all completely self financed and produced. Indeed, his 2007 release “Live in Australia”, was actually recorded and mixed by Chris himself as he played the gig. All of these recordings have since sold out and occupy a space in collections in every state and territory of Australia.
While it may be a clichéd and well used saying, Chris is certainly one of those artists who really has been everywhere, and as such his musical vision finds a home anywhere from dingy front bars, to festival stages, to house concerts, parties, rodeos, to the humble old campfire. Supporting artists from such differing styles as John Farnham, Adam Harvey, the Celibate Rifles, and Liz Stringer, the Dave Mann Collective and Blue Shaddy, to sharing the stage with Jimmy Barnes, James Blundell and the Hoodoo Gurus at iconic events such as the Kimberley Moon Experience (at which in 2009 he was also the MC), attests to the fact that Chris’ music can find a home anywhere it goes. Since relocating to the East Kimberley in 2007, he has also been the resident musician at world renowned resort El Questro, with many a listener being heard to have remarked, “I have never, ever in my life seen anyone play the guitar like that......”.
2011 promises to be even bigger and better for Mr Matthews. With plans for his debut album “Fools And Newcomers” well under way, a bunch of new songs under his belt, and his 8th tour of WA organised for June/July, the already hardened callouses on his fingers are ready for much more to come.
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