Matt Henry

Despite first picking up a guitar at the age of 15, it wasn’t until the age of 35 that Matt mustered up the courage to perform live on stage. Taking this leap was an incredibly difficult process for Matt, but one which proved itself to be more and more obvious as time progressed.

“Essentially I started writing songs thinking I was just going to be a songwriter for other people,” Matt explained. “The songs I wrote though were all quite personal, so it didn’t make sense for anybody else to sing them, and it got to the point where I realised if anybody was ever going to hear these songs I’d have to learn to sing them myself.”

Having come to this realisation, Matt had to then overcome his terrible fear of performing in front of people. This fear was so crippling in fact that he would often suffer panic attacks not only on stage but even whilst simply travelling to the recording studio. Thankfully over time these panic attacks and the fear of performing have slowly subsided.

“It wasn’t until a couple of years ago where I had a couple of performances where I actually enjoyed myself,” reflected Matt.

Now that these fears have been overcome, Matt has rapidly begun checking off milestones along his music career journey, having already toured with Kasey Chambers and late last year releasing his debut album Love Without Co-Dependency. Whilst this has meant music is slowly becoming a bigger part of his life, which he is extremely happy about, it has also meant his former life and business has suffered along the way.

“I’ve been a practising and registered art valuer since my early to mid-20s, and striking a balance between that business and music has been really hard. It’s hard, probably more so at the level I’m at, because there are a lot more outgoings than incomings, but hopefully that will shift in the future,” explained Matt. “To be honest though to have the life I’ve got, with a job that I’m comfortable in and playing music which I love, I don’t really have any complaints.”

Next Thursday Matt will be kicking off his album launch tour in Marrickville, which he is incredibly excited about: “I just can’t wait to get out there and get into it, I love travelling so getting to travel and play music is just a bonus.”

Jan 19, 7pm. The Gasoline Pony, 115 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville. $7 tickets on the door. Info: www.gasolinepony.com