MattyTWall

Make Time For Matty

"Blues guitar virtuoso MattyTWall seems to never stop gigging, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seize the opportunity to catch him in action every chance you get." - X-Press Magazine

Guitar maestro MattyTWall is, unsurprisingly, not just a gun when it comes to blues and jazz, but also a Hammett-esque shredder o’ the metal. Matty will be performing alongside some WAAPA cats at The Ellington on Thursday, January 23, so VOLUME pulled him aside to find out the lowdown on the show, and also take a peak at his gear.

Tell us about your background. How did you get into music?
"I started playing guitar at age 11/12. I was heavily influenced by watching Dire Straits and Eric Clapton concerts on TV. After that I started listening more to my older brother’s music collection: AC/DC, Metallica, Sepultura, Pantera, and going down the technical and aggressive way of playing. I still get a kick out of riffing along to a metal song."

Why the blues? How did you find yourself drawn to the genre?
"Firstly, my dad was always a big Clapton fan, and my hero at the time – Metallica’s Kirk Hammett – had been trying to play bluesier lines in his metal solos. So when I followed the roots of Clapton’s style and Kirk Hammett’s influences, I discovered the blues, and found the two greatest: Robert Johnson and BB King.
What’s the concept behind your collaboration with the China Blue Experiment? How did that come about?
I hooked up with a booking agent recently, and I started looking through their client list and found The China Blue Experiment. Checking them out online, I really loved Darren’s vocals – very strong and soulful. And Gordon’s keyboard work was very tasty indeed. I am looking forward to playing with them and getting everyone up on stage for a massive blues jam – that will be very cool. Let’s hope the Ellington stage fits us all!"

How did you come to be working with WAAPA students on this? How were the students selected? Who will be playing?
"Well, when I was looking for a drummer, I needed someone who could swing like nothing else and I came across Jazz Miller, who plays the drums currently in the band. He is studying at WAAPA, so has a good opportunity to play with some very talented musicians, I am very happy to invite them to play the Ellington Show. We will be featuring the brilliant Tim Newhouse from the Tim Newhouse Collective on grand piano and organ, and we will also feature the talented David Gioia on saxophone."

What rig/rigs will you be using and why?
"Guitar: I had the opportunity to travel to New York and go guitar hunting recently and I happened upon a vintage 1961 Gibson LP/SG Custom – a little beat up, but plays so amazingly well and sounds ballsier than any guitar I have played. My daughter named the guitar ‘Josie’. I prefer the LP/SG over the Les Paul standard because of the upper fret access and incredible lightness. Awesome guitar.

Amp: Carol Ann OD-3. This is a hand-built boutique amp from the US, meant to be a cross between a Dumble and a vintage Marshall (dumble pre circuit – Plexi power circuit). It is so fat sounding, which is why I love it so much. I used to play Fender strats and Fender amps, but could never get them to sound as huge (didn’t want to use tree trunk strings as I bend a lot) as a Gibson/Dumble."



Travis Johnson - Local Music & Arts Editor - Xpress Magazine - X-Press Magazine

"The decision to conclude a night of rawk and punk noise with some stinging, blue-eyed blues was deft, as Matty T Wall proved his technical chops by playing guitar behind his own back and maintaining a slick legato even when aggressively shredding all over his fretboard. Capably backed by some well-poised bass and a drummer who knew how to use his kit as a palette rather than simply an anvil, Wall’s Spillane-esque storytelling illuminated an atmospheric number packed with femme fatales and grimy machismo; one of the night’s most compelling moments." - Drum Media / themusic.com.au

"The decision to conclude a night of rawk and punk noise with some stinging, blue-eyed blues was deft, as Matty T Wall proved his technical chops by playing guitar behind his own back and maintaining a slick legato even when aggressively shredding all over his fretboard. Capably backed by some well-poised bass and a drummer who knew how to use his kit as a palette rather than simply an anvil, Wall’s Spillane-esque storytelling illuminated an atmospheric number packed with femme fatales and grimy machismo; one of the night’s most compelling moments." - Drum Media / themusic.com.au

"from Australia, and awesome blues guitarist named MattyTWall"

- Lori - PanashStyle.com, Nashville, USA

In my 10 years of doing sound at the Perth Blues Club, MattyTWall may be the closest to what I was hoping
to find at a Blues Club anywhere .
A 3-piece that really knows how to play and a repertoire where originals hold their own against the classics;
that and soulful playing with great guitar tone make MattyTWall a band you should go and check out soon!

Rik van der Velde, head sound engineer for the Perth Blues Club and the FlyByNight in Fremantle.
- Rik Van der Velde

In my 10 years of doing sound at the Perth Blues Club, MattyTWall may be the closest to what I was hoping
to find at a Blues Club anywhere .
A 3-piece that really knows how to play and a repertoire where originals hold their own against the classics;
that and soulful playing with great guitar tone make MattyTWall a band you should go and check out soon!

Rik van der Velde, head sound engineer for the Perth Blues Club and the FlyByNight in Fremantle.
- Rik Van der Velde

Where the warmth of a country like Australia meets the passionate sound of rock and the mysticism of the blues. That is the place where you will be able to find Matty T Wall, a young and highly talented guitarist and singer/songwriter from Perth.

Through his debut album, Blue Skies, Wall beautifully embraces the traditions of the Delta Blues and the 70's psychedelic sound, in a unique music combo that makes possible not just to magnify Wall's guitar artistry but also his deeply soulful singing style. The ten tracks included in Blue Skies are an intense journey into several decades of music history, played in an unconventional and highly entertaining way.

There is everything that a true music fan could possibly ask, in this record. The album's title-track is an elegant rock ballad with hints of roots, with some truly excellent songwriting from the Australian young prodigy. Broken Heart Tattoo is a tune that fuses together elements of jazz, rock and blues, which provide an excellent sound carpet to Wall's storytelling Parlato style on this track. Scorcher is a majestic scat-blues instrumental number, in which the ability of Wall and his band match stylistically the magnitude of 70's bands like The Allman Brothers Band or The Cream.

One of the most interesting aspects of Matty T Wall's music style consists in the way his songs take off into unexpected directions, during their executions. An example for all is the overwhelming cover version of Hendrix's Voodoo Chile, in which Wall and his band provide a slower and alternative but nevertheless highly hypnotic version of one of rock's most favourite anthems of all time.

Matty Wall is, undoubtedly, one of the most inspired musicians of this generation. Smile, which is the other instrumental included in Blue Skies, showcases in full Wall's ability and versatility as a guitar player. The dreaming sound coming by the overlapping of acoustic and electric guitars is a work of art and it is one of those tunes to be chosen as the perfect soundtrack for an evening stroll on a beach, admiring the sunset, anywhere in the world.

One of the secrets of the success of Wall's special music alchemy on his debut album goes also to the craftmanship of his wonderful band. Jasper Miller on drums and Stephen Walker are an irresistible Rhythm Section, whose abilities shine throughout the whole album. A deserved mention on Blue Skies goes also to Gordon Cant on organ, whose improvisations on Voodoo Chile are absolutely tremendous.

Knowing the love and appreciation of Matty T Wall for blues, it's no big surprise that he decided to choose a Robert Johnson's tune, Hellhound On My Trail, as the closing track of his album. Yet again, Wall nails his version of this song to perfection. The number starts with the sound of pouring rain coming down, then slowly an acoustic guitar opens up the tune to a folk-esque tempo, until the beating and daunting drums of Jasper Miller comes in, adding an almost dark and mysterious aura to another very inspired cover version.

Matty T Wall has not pulled any strings at all in his debut album. Blue Skies is an instinctive record made of great songs with inspired songwriting, enormous respect for the masters of blues, excellent vocals, showing Wall's mesmerising talent as a guitar player. You better watch out for this artist. You will be hearing extraordinary music from him for a very long, long time.





Giovanni "Gio" Pilato - Bluebird Reviews

When considering "blues guitar locales," chances are your thoughts turn to places like Chicago, Memphis, Kansas City or the Mississippi Delta.

But with a blistering clean tone, infectious chops and a swagger that's soulful enough to rival that of any blues-fueled, American shredder, Australian-born guitarist Matty T. Wall proves the blues is alive and well Down Under.

His ferocious debut album, Blue Skies, which was recorded between two continents (in New York City and Perth, Australia), is an enjoyable modern take on traditional blues.

With the help of Stephen Walker (bass) and Jasper Miller (drums), the fedora-wearing, Gibson SG-wielding Wall pulls no punches in delivering the blues in a fresh, dramatic way. Whether it’s his confessional storytelling on “Broken Heart Tattoo” and “Love Gone Away” or his fiery playing on “Burnin’ Up Burnin’ Down” and “Scorcher," Wall has a knack for combining familiarity with a truly original style.

Wall cites influences ranging from Robert Johnson and John Lee Hooker to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and there are certainly elements of all scattered throughout Blue Skies. Particularly on the aforementioned “Broken Heart Tattoo," which seems to channel Hooker’s conversational delivery and conjure images of a sweat-infused, Southern juke joint.

Wall even pays homage to Hendrix on Blue Skies with an infectiously cool and inspired version of “Voodoo Chile."

One of the album's final tracks—the hypnotic, solo instrumental “Smile”—offers a different look at Wall’s guitar prowess. It’s also an apropos title—when you consider that Blue Skies is not only an impressive debut from one of the next generation of blues shredders, but also an album that’s bound to leave a big smile on your face. - Guitar World International

It’s debut album from this young Australian, a guitarist with a touch and facility with the blues far beyond his years. If electric blues is your thing, then Matty will make the hair on your arms stand up. That’s a 7 out of 5, THAT’S how frigging great this album is.

From Perth, Matty originally discovered his path while exploring the roots of rock- it’s only natural that it would lead him to the blues. His influences run the gamut, from old school blues like Robert Johnson up to Hendrix and beyond. It’s only right that he would cover Jimi’s Voodoo Chile and Johnson’s Hellhounds On My Trail as a tip of the fedora to the masters.

He’s got a great band behind him as he sings and rips the notes from his Gibson SG; Jasper Miller on drums, Stephen Walker on bass, Gordon Cant on keys and Deli Rowe on backing vocals. The group as a whole attacks each song with muscle, precision and attitude, and when Wall solos, particularly on songs like the joyously manic instrumental Scorcher, you can picture the fire flying from his fingertips.

When it comes to guitarists, the word ‘virtuoso’ is flung about far too readily, but after one listen to Blue Skies it’s easy to hear how it actually applies to this guy. Produces by Matty himself, this disc has a power and clarity, whether they’re tearing it up or laying back on a mid-tempo ballad like the title cut, which they throw a little grease on at about the 3:30-ish mark. This is basically a blues record, but with pop and rock smarts and sensibilities- the best of all possible worlds, really. - Rock Doctor Reviews

Blue Skies is the debut album from Australian guitarist Matty T Wall. The album features 10 tracks, most of which are originals, but there are a few covers sprinkled in. One thing is for sure, there is plenty of material here for guitar aficionados to sink their teeth into.

The album begins with the Matty T Wall penned “Burnin’ Up Burnin’ Down,” which starts with a car engine revving and then heads into some greasy guitar work. It’s a definite blues rocker. Next up is a cover of Keb Mo’s “Am I Wrong,” which is a more stripped down foot stomper. The slow blues of “Love Gone Away” follows and features a soaring guitar solo. The fiery guitar work continues on “Scorcher,” which has a bit of a spaghetti western feel and some fine picking.

Things change directions with the title track, “Blue Skies,” showing off Matty’s songwriting chops as more than just a six-string wizard. The guitar returns to center stage on “This is Real” before we’re treated to a cover of Jimi Hendix’s “Voodoo Chile.” I’ll be honest, the song has been covered so many times, I was skeptical before listening, but this is a fantastic version. Matty really made it his own and the female backing vocals really make the chorus soar. Things switch gears with the jazzy rocker, “Broken Heart Tattoo.” “Smile” is an instrumental before Matty closes out the album with a cover of Robert Johnson’s “Hellhound On My Trail.”

Blue Skies has already reached #1 on the Australian iTunes Blues chart, but Matty T Wall is still a relative unknown in the rest of the world and that should change begin to change now. Blue Skies is a well rounded album from a very talented guitarist worthy of your attention. In a year with several great blues rock albums you can add another to the list with Blue Skies.

The Review: 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Blue Skies
– Love Gone Away
– This Is Real
– Voodoo Chile

The Big Hit

– Blue Skies - Blue Rock Review