#158 Matt Ward
South Australian Matt Ward joins Rae Leigh to talk about Songwriting, a broken heart and his global affair with writing and releasing music.
Dreams die in the comfort zone… words from Matt Ward in this podcast. Learn how he got started and supporting his first major country music festival this weekend at Groundwater Country Music Festival on the Gold Coast.
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Transcript
Rae Leigh: Welcome to a, Songwriter Trysts with Matt Ward. Thank you for joining me.
Matt Ward: morning Rae. How are you?
Rae Leigh: I'm all right. Just, uh, enjoying some muggy queensland wet weather. How about yourself? Where are you coming from?
Matt Ward: I'm coming from south Australia. It's clear and blue a little bit. Cool, but I'm actually off to Queensland tomorrow. So I'll look forward to the. With a clearing up, hopefully,
Rae Leigh: what are you doing in Queensland?
Matt Ward: I'm playing groundwater country music festival, over the coming weekend. So, I'm very, very excited about that. So fly out tomorrow morning.
Rae Leigh: That's very exciting. It's going to be a fantastic festival. I love groundwater. I'm actually out of town this weekend, unfortunately, because there's so many people I'd love to go see, but, it's going to be an awesome weekend.
Matt Ward: Yeah, I can't wait.
Rae Leigh: So I like to start this podcast by getting you to share a little bit about who you are and where you come from and, where you grew up.
Matt Ward: no worries. I grew up in south Australia, and, family. Ran a boot making business and then in retail for over a hundred years here in south Australia. And, so grew up. working in the rounds, this type of store in local northerns in Adelaide. And, eventually got into land management and wildlife management and worked across remote south Australia and various parts of Australia as well.
And got into songwriting. Later in life. I have been taking music more seriously for the last five or so years whilst also juggling, work at the same time. So that's a little bit about me and my background.
Yeah.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. So how, how does one go from coming from a very long boot making business and wildlife into songwriting? Like what, where's the join? Why, what happened?
Matt Ward: I guess. Being on the road a lot. I, listened to plenty of music and I worked in the remote APY lands in south Australia that they love their country music and love the slim dusty and all the American classics as well. So, driving rounds with traditional owners always had to work in some country music.
And so got exposed that way a little bit. I applied, I played music, as a youngster and sung a little bit, but, then had a break, but, In the end in the end, I think it was actually a bit of a cliche of breaking up from a long-term relationship and thinking, oh, what do I do now? And picked up a guitar and found it quite a cathartic experience. Since then I've been using it as a outlet for, for myself. And so that's probably the, the joining point between my backgrounds, life experiences, and then making a decision to follow music a little bit.
Rae Leigh: I hear you. They do say that a broken heart is gold for a songwriter. I've heard that
Matt Ward: That's right. Yeah. Well, hopefully we don't use
that too often or as an excuse to write songs, I'm not sure
Rae Leigh: Yeah, no, I mean, don't want to have to have a broken heart, but, yeah, there's a lot of good stories out there about, it's about life and life is full of ups and downs and you can't really experience the gratitude for the ups without the downs. So I've got to have gratitude for all of it.
Matt Ward: They also
Rae Leigh: Tell me,
Matt Ward: I was going gonna say, they also say, you know, there's three common themes in country music. It's stories of, the hearts, stories of the road and stories of the land as well. So I like to cover all the, all three bases. And I think just me as a person who I am that sort of comes naturally as well, feeling things and feeling connection to, to the road and travel and, and country.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. I was actually having that conversation yesterday with another artist about like, I love the beach. I also love just waterfalls and being in nature. And there's something about being in nature that really helps like calm my thoughts, or just bring sort of a peace. I don't know if you feel that I don't know what it is, but
Matt Ward: Everyone has their, everyone has their special place or special, thing that nature can help, or I guess it's all about grounding
Rae Leigh: Um,
Matt Ward: Desert and open spaces are definitely the most grounding thing that I experienced. But,
I was speaking to somebody the other day who just likes wind, and it doesn't matter where they are as long as there's wind sort of blowing around that really helps
them calm down and ground as well.
So, yeah, I think it's really, really important.
Rae Leigh: Good sensation. I don't mind windows on this is not on the
beach and it's not too hot because it picks up the sand. It hurts. Okay. So, you started writing it as a cathartic therapeutic sort of exercise. Why did you start to release it or share it with other people? Where did that happen?
Matt Ward: I was, I began writing songs and, a good mate of mine who had played music and guitar for all of his teenage years. Suggested I, why don't you go over a jam with my dad? Cause his dad lived locally, but he lived into state and the first time. I played music and heard some bass around it. And then we've got another maiden and heard drums around it and then a guitar.
So it's like, okay, this is like, I it's like playing soccer with a full soccer team rather than just by yourself. And the feeling, the feeling it gave me was, the spine tingling. And, I also just have this personality where if I start something I have to keep going until I've, gone. As far as I know, I can physically and emotionally. And intellectually go. And so that just
Rae Leigh: I can relate to that. Just like I'm a bit of a dog with a bone with I
Matt Ward: that's right. And I think for the
Rae Leigh: but I think, I think you need people like that
Matt Ward: absolutely, absolutely. Yeah, exactly. Otherwise nothing would get done. So, and once music parts in the vomit doesn't let guys, so, and then I started releasing stuff under different band names because initially I. I guess surrounding myself with people I felt comfortable with.
And we released some stuff, which we'll never hear. We will see the load of light of day, fortunately. And then Yeah.
then their friends saying, well, why don't you, go as, as Matt ward. And it was at that point where, you know, had the confidence and, to reach out to other musicians to start to form something a little bit better quality and, Is it this same friend said to me, don't forget that dreams die in comfort zones. That's where
Rae Leigh: Oh,
Matt Ward: that's, that's where I reached out. And, um, yeah.
came out as S came in as Matt Ward, I guess. And, everyone was really, really supportive and it's like, well known that this is my writing and my songs, and I'm really proud to have them out there. So, I realized that there was lots of musicians out there really
looking for original songwriters in the side. Okay. Now this is my thing. So that's, that was the journey to come to take it more seriously.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. And cutting your teeth on bands and having a jam with friends is, is a really natural, easy progression. And I'm, I'm glad that you got out of your comfort zone. Cause I I'm a big believer that yeah. Dreams due to, I mean, that's a great quote, dreams die and you come in the comfort zone, you've got to keep challenging yourself and growing.
So how's it been going then? What what's been your, aha moment as now, confident musician, Matt ward out there releasing music and performing live.
Matt Ward: yeah, I'd say, this year or last, last two years has been quite huge. I did release my first album Heartland and recorded that with Matt, Phil. And that did, that did really well. And that was definitely an aha moment. But also to have matfield produced, my album was, a moment in time where I thought, okay, this is, these are songs that can really.
Build into, radio friendly, top quality Australian country songs. And, but then I, I took that and I didn't realize, but four or five months later, I was back in the studio. I didn't think that it would happen? that quickly. And I was heading
Rae Leigh: Yeah.
Matt Ward: Similar people around me, friends saying, well, get back in the shooter. It's like, okay then no worries. And like,
Rae Leigh: Um,
Matt Ward: The dog and a bone, I just had to keep on going, but, I was heading to Nashville for Americana Fest and was fortunate enough to play sounds Australia for south Australia at the Bluebird cafe. And, I reached out to a friend I had in Texas saying, do you know any good studios there?
And it just so happened. The studio down the road from here in Wimberley, Texas was doing some amazing things and reached out and that happens. So I think all of these things were aha moments. And then probably this year, to be honest, playing ground world or country music festival was definitely a, a huge win for me, from our touring and live performance perspective and, and hopefully sets a foundation for future big festivals as well. So. Those three things, I think. Yeah. but both my first album, then being a recording in texas and recording overseas, and now starting to get larger festivals as well.
Rae Leigh: Is this your first sort of big festival type geek or.
Matt Ward: I guess the showcase it's Americana Fest for south Australia was wasn't huge, but it was definitely, very rural privileged to do that and had Australian music week, but that was also a showcase. But as far as, you know, the big, big, four or five country music festivals in Australia, this is definitely the first one. Yes,
Rae Leigh: Yeah, that's exciting. Okay. So you sent me any comfort zone
Matt Ward: absolutely. But,
Rae Leigh: little bit.
Matt Ward: Taking my band from Adelaide, taking my band from Adelaide with me and, um, Yeah. fantastic bunch of musicians and good guys. So it's nice to have them around with me as well.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. That's the dream though, as well to be at, to have people that you get along well with in your band and to be able to hit the road and take your music outside of your local
Matt Ward: absolutely spot on. And
Rae Leigh: That's brilliant.
Matt Ward: hard from south Australia because so much happens on the east coast. So that's just one of my challenges.
Rae Leigh: Yeah, no, it's just something that you overcome. If you work out what you wanted to do, you just got to travel. Tell me, cause you talked a bit about you doing your thing and you as a writer, but do you co-write much, have you done much collaboration that way?
Matt Ward: I haven't actually, I, I write all my own stuff. I've done some co-writing at, a writing workshop, up in London, one in new south Wales. But even then I found myself, Sneaking away and hiding myself and walking the property there and I'm writing my own songs. So I've definitely down for, co-writes happy to write for anyone.
But, because of, I guess who I am and what I, what songwriting means to me, I really enjoy the writing experience and capturing the song for what I intend it to be. So, but I
probably should do more, but, I it's just the way that it rolls out.
Rae Leigh: Yeah, no, I liked that. I can relate to that. I, I definitely do a lot of solely writing that is probably more vulnerable. I'd say my most vulnerable songs, ones that deep by myself because there's stuff there. But then I, I've also underneath you're like card riding with other people. They can bring out a whole nother level of the song that for me, I've found those songs that I've, co-written tend to be more relatable to the word.
Public probably because it's had a bit of a filter through some different life experience
and yeah. So that's cool.
Matt Ward: that's, true. And you can, the lyrics sometimes the less directly about you, but they're more about like, if they can be twisted or they can be expressed in a way that makes them relatable. So I think that's a really good point.
Rae Leigh: yeah. I'm surprised that you, you went to Nashville and you haven't done like a ton of co-writing. I feel. And when I went to Nashville, that's all anyone ever wanted to do is you have always got a co-write.
Matt Ward: Yeah. Yeah. I think I was too busy playing and then seeing other music and probably drinking in bars.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. That, that also happens. How did you end up at the blue bed? Did you duck lineup did call up in the morning or when you invited to play.
Matt Ward: Yeah. So it sounds Australia through, yeah, through south Australia and Doug Newton, put on, artists there during AmericanaFest for a showcase for australian artist and, and they asked me to apply. So that's, that's what happened there. And it was, Yeah. it was sitting between, Ella Hooper and Sinead Burgess.
And this like just me little, a little while, may sitting in the middle of that was pretty exciting.
Rae Leigh: Well, I feel really ashamed because I actually don't even know if I've really looked into sounds Australia. I've heard of them, but I don't really know much about what they do. So I'm going to have to go do my research because that sounds really cool.
Matt Ward: Yeah, and they do showcases in, well, bef pre COVID all around the place and for all different styles of music as well. So that they're really good support and they do something at south by southwest and the lock as well. So a really, really great opportunity.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. I want to be able to do more showcases
like around, around the world, you know, and just getting songwriters out and just sharing your stuff. Cause it's, it's just so beautiful and it's not enough opportunities. I don't think for people to do that. All right. In this journey of breakup start writing songs, eventually release music in your own way.
From that whole journey that we've kind of just talked about. What would you say the best advice is that you've ever been given? That's helped you take that next step.
Matt Ward: I think definitely what I mentioned before in terms of Dreamstime comfort zones. So if you want to grow as an artist, if you want to grow as a project manager, a sales person, marketing person, all the project manager, all those things around music. Yeah.
You really do have to step out of your comfort zone. And that's particularly, so I think for. People that are, I guess, maybe in locations that aren't quite as connected to the center of Australian country music. So for me here in south Australia, having a more national and global focus is what has sort of stretched me and driven me out of, just the local scene and having my eyes set on something larger.
So that's definitely one. The other one is just being, I've got a couple actually being true to yourself. and your, and your art, In that journey as an artist where I started writing songs, and then I went a bit more indie and better alternative, but I always knew that I was writing country songs at the core.
A friend of mine said, be true to your, to your songs and your style and what you liked playing best. And then your best out will come out and, as long as you're, staying true to that, that will still evolve. Definitely. But, that was, Yeah,
that was really important. And probably the final one is that it's a marathon, not a sprint.
,both, Your journey as an artist and for success and getting those wins as well as, your evolution as an artist as well. It doesn't happen overnight. So, , Yeah, those three things, dream time, comfort zones be true to yourself and it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Rae Leigh: I love them. And they're all really good quotes for people to understand, in the industry. So was beautiful. What about if you could go back and maybe talk to yourself as, at a younger age, and give yourself one little piece of advice. What would you say to you?
Matt Ward: Play guitar earlier. I played piano when I was young and my parents, you
Rae Leigh: Yeah, me,
Matt Ward: made me do the whole classical thing. And, it was rote learning back then through the piano forts sort of school, when I came out of it, you know, understanding music and, I've got decent, musicality to me, but, I wish I started playing guitar earlier, but, um, in the end three chords and the truth, maybe it's okay.
Rae Leigh: It's definitely okay. My books anyway. cause I'm the same. I started on piano, played it for years and only picked up the guitar much, much later. But I think because like, if you have a musical background and you have been educated in that, then you kind of. You can, you can sort of translate that a little bit into the guitar.
Whereas I've seen people as adults trying to learn music for the first time and it's like trying to learn another language. Whereas you already know the language through your piano and you just transferring it to another instrument.
Matt Ward: Absolutely. Yeah. So I think it definitely has helped. I played a gig, played a gig the other day and I had a fiddle player with me and, it was my album launch. And so I had some family there and I could see my mum's eyes light up
when the fiddle player started. Cause I knew she wanted me to play violin classically as well.
Rae Leigh: Yeah, my mum would have loved that
Matt Ward: Little, did she know that a fiddle I'm in honky-tonks where the heart of country music's
Rae Leigh: There you go. All right. Tell me about how your album launch went. What was, was the story behind your album and how's it going?
Matt Ward: Yeah.
thank you. Yeah. So I started recording it in September, 2019,
Pre COVID over in Texas at a studio called yellow dog studios. And they're doing some amazing stuff at the moment, with cultural wall and Charlie Crocket and people like Kacey, Musgraves even recorded there. And, we got four tracks down and then I was had my plane tickets to go back in March, 2020 and, on the 12th of March and canceled them a few days later and, didn't really know what I was going to do with it.
And, everyone adapted and pivoted so well, in the music industry. Well, as much as they could. And, we ended up recording one song with Matt, Phil, and Sydney. Then I did the rest of the bed tracks remotely, through yellow dog studios about a year later. And then I did the vocals in Sydney and then that fell as well.
So the album itself is called if I was in Dallas tonight. And, it's a collection of songs with. Recounts travels and experiences and highs and lows of my travels between Australia and Texas. And as it turns out the whole production ended up being a real international collaboration as well.
So that's it's not how these, the art comes together like that. And yeah, released it on the 5th of November. And then I had some album release shows here in south Australia and, they were a huge success in that and a lot of fun. And now, onto groundwater country music.
Rae Leigh: Feeling the high bit from all of
Matt Ward: Yeah, absolutely. So, and I've taken a
Rae Leigh: I was going to,
Matt Ward: times.
Rae Leigh: oh, I was going to ask, there was a female singer on some of the tracks. She's gorgeous voice. Who's that?
Matt Ward: That's Bonnie Montgomery from originally from Arkansas. I'm now based in Texas. So I think she might be going back to Arkansas, but I met her in, in Austin when I was sort of living there for a while in 2017. And. She was actually, she's been voted outlaw country, female artist of the year before in America.
And, it's also one, four or five Arkansas country music awards. So she was a real, a great, great friend to, have, and she's been incredibly supportive, of my music and, and myself and yeah, she ended up singing a duet
on the album and doing a few backing
vocals as well. So she's got an incredible voice.
Rae Leigh: Yeah, I was listening to, I was like, oh, who is that? And I looked up, I thought maybe it was a co-write, but it's like, no, just written by Matt ward. I'm like, okay, I'm going to have to ask him that one. Oh, that's really cool. Okay. So if you could co-write or work with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Matt Ward: Yeah, I'm going to say Casey chambers. Yeah, I thought, well, I'll just have a huge amount of respect for Casey. She's also, from south Australia originally and from the west coast of south Australia, which is an area that I've worked on, I worked through a fair bit And her journey has been really interesting one and she's worked incredibly hard.
She's incredibly supportive of the music scene and network as well and of young songwriters. So I just think it'd be, I'd love to learn songwriting, learn from her to do some co-writes.
Rae Leigh: Yeah, no, that's beautiful. Okay. Well that's kind of like most of my official questions. Is there anything else you'd like to share about your album, what you're doing or what you're planning to do in the future or more shows coming up?
Matt Ward: Yeah, thank you. So, yeah, my albums out now, if you want to grab a copy, it's out and a beautiful white vinyl, as well as CD. And to check out my website, Matt ward, music.com, and you can download or sorry, you can buy one of the albums there. And then I'm heading to Tamworth country music festival as well.
And playing a show a bit of an album release show that they're in Tamworth on the Wednesday,
the 19th of January. So I'd love to see people there and, yeah.
Rae Leigh: I'll be there. So I'll come to that one. That would be great. And, we can have a proper, I think music lives always way better than the recording, even if the recordings amazing. I just, it's just completely different, the mistakes and the personality comes through. I'm really looking forward to.
The festival I need a holiday and I need live music, more of it. And please I need more. I'm really excited to see what you're doing and I will put all of your links and everything so people can follow you. How, if they want to follow you and listen to your music, however, they want to listen to it.
On the description of the podcast and also be a blog on the website songwritertrysts.com, for people to check out and follow and connect with you any way that they can. And we've got some playlists as well on Spotify and apple. And so I'm going to add my favorites, of your music, to, to those people, check them out, along with everyone else's I really appreciate you coming on the show and chatting and, I look forward to seeing you live hopefully soon at the festival.
Matt Ward: Awesome. Thanks so much for having me, you know, it's a great, great to have a chat. Thanks a lot.
Rae Leigh: Yeah, you too. Appreciate it. Take care, Matt.
