Matt Ward

With more than two decades working in land management across Australia and a couple of #1 ARIA country albums under his belt (‘If I Was In Dallas Tonight’ and ‘Heartland’), Matt Ward is a creative force in Australian country music.

Since 2019 he has consistently released “world class” (Rhythms Magazine) Australian songs bathed in landscapes, big skies and red desert highways that draw upon the best elements of varied Australian story tellers and bands such Paul Kelly, Troy Cassar-Daly and Hunters and Collectors.

Ward continues this trajectory in his latest single ‘Come Home Safe’, flawlessly produced by multi–Golden Guitar and ARIA winning producer Matt Fell.

Cleverly using imagery of the Australian bush and the perils of driving on country roads, the track tells a cautionary tale of searching for happiness, when it in fact be right in front of you.

With its searing punk tempo and hip-hop like vocal delivery, Ward’s new single presents a fresh new sound for Ward as he embarks on the release of his exciting new album, ‘The Long Way Home’.

Matt’s Journey

Wards story as an artist and storyteller have been crafted through valuable life experience and an ongoing thirst for exploring the adventure and truth behind the road, the heart and country.

He first started connecting with communities and capturing stories working in his family’s 120-year-old shore store in the historic community of Norwood. Fortunate enough to get a qualification in environmental science, Ward subsequently spent more than two decades working in remote parts of South Australia in indigenous communities, sustainable agriculture and sustainable land management.

Drawing upon these experiences, along with numerous stints in Texas to immerse himself in country music, Ward continues to cleverly weave in his own personal experiences, values and community ties into his songwriting and releases.

Ward 2023 releases included ‘Two To Tango’, a sultry duet featuring acclaimed Australian songstress Taasha Coates (The Audreys), and “Red and Blue”, a tribute to community, grass-roots South Australian football and the Norwood Football Club.

His second album, ‘If I Was In Dallas Tonight’ (2021) was recorded in Texas’ Yellow Dog Studios and captured the highs and lows of his travels between the sister cities of Adelaide and Austin. Involving collaborations with several well-known Texan musicians, the album was “sublime” (Countrytown) and confirmed Ward as the “genuine article” (Brisbane Courier Mail), reaching #1 on ARIA Charts and delivering a finalist spot in the South Australian Music Awards.

Off the back of his debut #1 success with ‘Heartland’, a concept album reflecting on the tales of Australian landholders during the Millennium drought, the consistency, quality and diversity of his work underpin Ward’s reputation as “world class” (Rhythms Magazine).

Off the back of these releases, Ward has graced stages at Groundwater Country Music Festival, Americanafest and Australian Music Week. His creative drive, scintillating live performances and authenticity as a story-teller ensure his art is diverse, meaningful and consistently of the highest quality. From the South Australian deserts to West Texan dive bars, Tamworth to Nashville, Matt Ward is made for contemporary Australian country music.