Matthew and the Atlas

Founded by Matt Hegarty, Matthew and the Atlas was borne of the late 00’s folk rock movement (Mumford and Sons, Laura Marling, Ben Howard, Michael Kiwanuka) as he became a regular in the West London scene. It was after playing at the Communion Clubnight that the event-turned-Record label released his first official EP in 2010. Since then, he has released four albums, traversing a range of musical territories from classic acoustic folk, to dramatic synth-laden electronica, and urgent guitar led alt-rock. The common thread has been a song-writing style that marries a subtle melodic sensibility with lyrics full of natural imagery and dark emotional heft - all delivered in his striking and distinctive vocal. In the process Hegarty has quietly built a major cult following in Europe and the US. On his latest record, Matt travelled to the famous Rockfield Studios in Wales, recording 11 tracks live to tape over just a couple of days. Here he worked with Kevin Jones (Wunderhorse, Jay Anderson, Bear’s Den), and their aim was to capture a moment in time and a sense of place into the recording, with all the magic and intimacy just a lone voice and a guitar can bring.

Previous press for Matthew And The Atlas:
“a very rare talent.” - Clash

“Hegarty's earthy odes to heartbreak and deliverance have a classic quality” - The Independent

“Gravelly, deep, and the glorious consistency of honey, it’s a weather-beaten, worn-in leather jacket of a voice.” - The Line Of Best Fit