Matt Corby

Matthew John «Matt» Corby (born 7 November 1990, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian singer-songwriter, who was the runner-up to Natalie Gauci on the fifth season of Australian Idol in 2007.

Corby was 16 when he auditioned for Australian Idol, and placed as the runner-up to Natalie Gauci.

Matt Corby began his career aged 16 on the Australian version of reality TV talent show Australian Idol in 2007. In 2009, he independently released his debut EP Song For… before relocating to London and signing with renowned UK indie label Communion after capturing the attention of the label’s owner, Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons fame. Corby has previously been compared to legendary artists such as Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley.

After recording with Ian Grimble (The Libertines, Seasick Steve) and releasing his third EP, Transition to Colour in late 2010, Matt busied himself playing live shows. Matt spent the earlier part of 2011 playing sold out shows in London and showcasing at SXSW in Austin, Texas in February before coming back to Australia to play a string of intimate «Secret Garden» shows in fans’ backyards throughout Australia. He soon after joined UK band Elbow as the main support on their national tour of sold out Splendour sideshows in July.

«Made of Stone» featured on Underbelly: Razor in 2011 and Brothers and Sisters. «Lighthome» was also used in an episode of Home and Away in 2011.

He has since recorded a cover version of their track «By My Side» with iconic Australian band INXS for their Original Sin album (featured as a bonus track on the iTunes edition) and featured on a track on Julia Stone’s debut album The Memory Machine and on the Passengers’ track «Golden Thread».

After spending the last few months writing, Matt spent most of September 2011 recording his latest EP, Into the Flame, with producer Tim Carr (Ernest Ellis, Jonathan Boulet). The track «Into the Flame» showcases a new direction for Corby, including soul-influenced growling vocals along with a bluesy melody coupled with Corby’s signature folk style. The song has been called «lyrically raw and endearingly honest». The EP also features a duet with Matt’s dear friend and keyboardist Bree Tranter, previously of Australian band The Middle East. The EP became his first entry on the ARIA Charts when it reached number 46 on the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart on 4 December 2011. It has since peaked at #31. On its release date, Corby posted on his website and Facebook page:

«After 12 months of lots of ups and downs, I’m so excited to share this EP with you. I honestly felt like giving up music back in April but all of you inspired me again. It’s been an incredible few months re-connecting with all of you in gardens around Australia. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support. It’s been said by others before… but you guys really are the best fans ever. Let’s stay close on this journey.»

Corby has secured a support slot with Feist in Adelaide on her 2012 Australian tour.

Matt is due to tour throughout the U.S. in the early part of 2012 with his «Into The Flame» Secret Gardens Tour.

Discography:
EP
- Song For… (2009; independent release via Scorpio Music)
- My False (May 28, 2010)
- Transition to Colour (October 22, 2010)
- Into the Flame (November 11, 2011)

Nominated:
2009: Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition – Final 12