Matt Corby

Over the weekend I was fortunate enough to attend a small garden show put on by Sydney-born artist Matt Corby. Now before we go too far, let me take you back to 2007. Matt would have currently just come runner-up in the 5th cycle of talent show Australian Idol and I, along with a good 80% of the female population of Australia, was completely in awe of him. Actually no, that's probably not fair to say 'female population' only, as I had many male friends who also enjoyed his talent tremendously. Matt could sing flawlessly and play a mean guitar/piano. Anyway, because of my- dare I say 'crush'- on this seventeen-year-old with a voice from another world, I was inspired to learn guitar and re-join the school choir. He was fantastically inspirational.

Matt Corby's Australian Idol finalist portrait, 2007. Photo credit gossiphat.com  

Fast-forward back to present day and he has grown some facial hair, gone on to release four EPs, play to awe-struck crowds around the UK/AUS, record/perform with some damn fine artists, and shake the somewhat dismissive (I don't think that's the word I'm looking for here, but let's roll with it) title of being an Australian Idol contestant. Listen to his music and you'll find it has some kind of profound sadness about it, while also being ethereally hopeful. Think, Bon Iver meets Jeff Buckley meets Nick Drake. 

Matt performing at a Secret Garden Show, 2011. Photo credit Taylor Luton mattcorby.com.au

Now, Matt started the Secret Garden Shows in October this year and has been snaking around Australia since, also releasing his latest EP-Into The Flame in mid-November, coming to an end in Adelaide (his last show was tonight). Bearing this in mind, you would (or at least I would) have been expecting these Adelaide performances to lack some of the vim and vigor that the recordings of earlier shows displayed. Everyone gets tired sometimes, right? But not so. In fact, from what I can find in my infinite resources (well, uh, youtube), he's never given a half-hearted performance in his life, no matter the crowd. 

Delightfully witty, with the perfect dash of awkward and emotional, he seriously knows how to entertain a crowd. He walked on stage and effortlessly moved from sound checks to song, captivating everyone from the get-go. I've seen him perform once before actually, at a Youth Alive concert for the Paradise Community Church with Fatis Valour, but all I can remember from that is screaming girls elbowing me in the ribs/face. Have a look here if you dare. 

Such a brilliant idea, these folk-inspired garden shows seem to suit Matt perfectly. He was more than happy to chat to audience members before and after his set, and in the short conversation I had with him he expressed his love for the raw nature of such intimate shows and his distaste for 'rich people'. He'd drawn a circle on his forearm ('I got bored on the plane from Melbourne to Adelaide') which he described as 'a lot like [him], [he] never really move[s] on in life, [he] just keeps going around in a circle'. It was refreshing to hear a complete stranger (let alone a super talented muso) being real with me. He also hugged my friend. I highly doubt she'll ever bathe ever again, nor remove the clothing she was wearing at the time. 

He seems like a pretty 'laid back' kinda guy. Stirling Secret Garden Show 3rd December 2011. Photo credit Sandy Hancock (via facebook)

'Matty' and myself, Blakeview Secret Garden Show, 2nd December 2011

From what I can recall, he began with 'Kings, Queens, Beggars and Thieves', then 'Big Eyes', 'Letters', then what I believe was 'Winter' which wove into 'Refuge', 'Brother' and then finished with 'Lighthome'. I may have gotten some of those confused with what I actually saw that night and what I have watched on youtube/Ustream over the last few months, but I definitely recall and know that  'Kings, Queens, Beggars and Thieves', 'Brother' and 'Winter/Refuge' will haunt me forever. And I mean that in the best way possible. For all you musos out there that know what I'm talking about, his use of loop peddles was mind-boggling. Seriously I've never seen anyone (ANYONE) use their own voice, one guitar, two microphones and two loop peddles with such a words-cannot-describe, you-can't-even-fathom-how-good-it-was outcome. 

Above three images from Blakeview Secret Garden Show 2nd December 2011. Photo credit Parisa Rowhani-Farid (via facebook)

Seriously? Totally honestly? Best $20 I've ever spent. Best hour or so of my life. Absolute, utter, complete game-changer. If seeing this man perform live isn't on your bucket list, please put it on there, for God's sake. I mean, we were given free Zooper Doopers. How are you not sold yet? I know I'll be attending many-a-future show. Hope to seeyou there lovely people, Sarah xx