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Above photo by Sarah Bowers
Matthew North is a South West based musician, producer,
photographer and
sometimes radio broadcaster. His music has been played on BBC 6Music, BBC
Television and has been featured and interviewed on BBC Radio 4.
Matthew is also getting better known for his
Matthew
North Music YouTube channel that features a mix of electronics, music
and retro technology.
As
well as being a solo artist Matthew is the founder member of the bands
All Living Fear
& Secrets For Septemberand
is also guitarist with Jazz legend Mike Westbrook
and has a close involvement with
The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown.
Welcome to my website.
NEWS November 2023 - London Gig Announced
I am delighted to announce that for the first
time since 2019 I have a solo show in the capital taking place on Sunday the
26th November. It will take palce at the Spice of Live in the heart of Soho
more infomation on the gigs page.
NEWS October 2023 - Working on new material.
Though my Youtube Channel has taken over most of my time the last 2 years I have 2 Album projects on the go. Hopefully they will both be out on 2024. The first one is a follow up to my debut solo album 'still THINKING still DREAMING?' from 2017. The second is going to be my interpretation of some of Mike Westbrooks music. Mike has approved the idea and was pleased with what he has heard so far.
I am planning more solo live work with a few local
things here and there before I look at doing my first tour
in ages next year.
NEWS May 2023 - New Single out on Monday 8th May
I have been working on a song for a fair while, it’s a cover version of one of
my favourite songs from my youth and was released in 1983 40 years ago. Its
called Frozen in Time by The Thompson Twins it also goes by the name of Kamikaze
on the LP ‘Quick Step & Side Kick’ one of the most important albums of my life.
I sent the almost finished version to a couple mates last night and they both
said I should send it to Tom Bailey to see what he thinks. After about an hour I
did. And to my delight I got a reply where Tom said he liked it.
This was pretty amazing that a musician you have respected all your life likes
some work that you have created based on what they were doing when I was young.
I then asked Tom this morning if it would be ok if I put the song out. His reply
was ‘Of course. I think you captured the mood of the song.’ I
am just over the moon with this.
Matthew and Tom Bailey September 2022
So happy with this. It will be on all Streaming platforms. Also on Bandcamp
where there are 2 additional Mixes. Grab it
here.
And Thank you to Richard Latto from BBC Radio Solent for giving it a first play
on Stereo
Underground.
NEWS April 2023
I am restarting my mailing list. Having been inspired by a post made by Laura
Kidd (Penfriend) that social media is
getting less usefull as a way of getting the word out there. I decided I
would prefer a more
direct approach and so if you would like to stay in touch with what I am doing
in the world of music then please pop your email into this little form below and
then you will always be up to date with what is going on. I do promise to post
the odd exclusive free song and other goodies to the mailing list every so often
as well.
In addtion I am delighted to say that
Secrets For September
have a gig on the 20th August at the Marina Bar in Plymouth. Its an
afternoon show starting at 5 and finishing at 7 with out good friends The
Corduroy Curiosity's opening for us.
News December 2022
Wow I cant believe I haven't updated this page for a while other than the
gigs. 2022 been a busy year I have ended up playing 57 gig this year more
than any other year of my life. Hopefully more to come next year.
The youtube channel has grown a lot in the last year and there will be more content added hopefully weekly.
I have also deided to remove myself off some of my additional social media playforms specifically Twitter and Instagram. Matthewnorthmusic on Facebook and the Youtube channell are my ony social media presence.
News March 2022
2022 is a big year for me as its my 30th year in music and a significant birthday to come later in the year. Currently working on some new solo music as well as in rehersal with Mike Westbrook for 2 shows at Ronnie Scotts and a headline appearance at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.
Keep and eye on my social media for gigs and shows as well as here. Sometimes gigs come in late. And you can normally catch me most Wednesdays with Russell Sincair at the Rock Bottom Bar in Plymouth.
News September 2021
An updated a year after the last. Well a fair bit of what I do you see via social media but if not here is a few points of interest.
Firstly if you haven't done so please take a look at my Matthew North Music YouTube I have been making a lot of films lately about Music, Equipment, Records and Music and a few tunes as well.
2021 I also have some shows for later in the year with
Kate and Mike Westbrook. Mike
has been honoured at the london Jazz Festival and there are 3 very different
concerts taking place. The second on the 17th November will be the Album
Launch show for 'Earth Felt The Wound' there will also be a warm up on the
5th November at Ashburton Arts Centre.
I have also added a little section to this website about Effects Pedals. I
have recetly started building bespoke pedals for people and I will create an
inventory of them on this page.
Also with the Westbrook Granite band I also produced a 20 minute piece of music that has now been released on CD called 'Says The Duke'.
News September 2020
Well another year goes by and another year older and all that. Still plenty going on. I have a small photographic exhibition going on at the Thistle Park Taven on Commercial Road in Plymouth. So why not pop in have a pie and take a look at some of my musical Images.
I also recently did my first gig in 7 months. It was at my local venue of the B-Bar here in Plymouth and it was also stramed online. It was a great thing to do video footage will follow.
I have a new single out. I re recorded a song that me
and Paul wrote called Flaming Heart. It would be great if you could follow
me on spotify and share too if you enjoy.
News June 2020
I have just added some intfomation here about the archive recovery work that I have done finding missing audio recordings and some if the Kit that I own. Please take a look at the Archive page.
Also all my music is now on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and Google play, so if you use any of those platforms please feel free to add me to your play lists, All Living Fear and Secrets for Septermber are also there.
News May 2020
New Single release - Save Your Kisses.....For Me
I was given a challenge of performing a Eurovision hit
for a BBC Radio show last year that I then did. Afterwards I set upon
recording my arrangement with the idea to release it on Eurovision day 2020.
Well there was no Eurovision but I did still release it with the help of
Josiah J Manning of
Momentum Studios playing Drums. The song has also won the approvial of
the band themselves.
In addition there is also a new All Living Fear EP out called 'Lockdown EP' this was recorded Live under studio conditions in Devon and Wales. It has also been released on Limited Edition Cassette Tape.
For more info go to http://alllivingfear.bandcamp.com
News March 2020
Coronavirus is hitting everything. I have had to cancel several shows for obvious reasons. I know some are carrying on. But frankly I dont want anything I do have the possible impact of someone getting ill or worse. So Exeter has been cancelled as well as the All Living Fear tour.
News October 2019
My recent tour of England was great fun playing 6
shows and seeing a lot of friends along the way. But as soon as I got back I
had to set up my new photo exhibition titled 'Images' it takes place at the
Wharf Arts Centre in Tavistock and runs for the whole of October.
On top of this later on this month we take Kate Westbrooks GRANITE to the
Teignmouth Jazz Festival and on the 1st November All Living Fear is back on
the road. After this I fully intend on to working on new All Living Fear
material with Andy, Michael and Paul.
News September 2019
Matthew North - Solo Electric Tour
Pleased to announce that I am going on tour this month playing an electric set. I will perform in Exmouth, Plymouth, Norwich, Ipswich, London and Bristol. Making this my first UK tour in 5 years.
Added to this I also have a Photographic Exhibition taking place at the Tavistock Wharf happening in October.
News June 2019
Been a busy old years so far traveling all over playing shows
highlights include Ronnie Scotts with the Big band and going to Germany with
The Granite Band. Currently working on some archive Westbrook albums, A new
Kate Westbrook album and possibly some new All Living Fear material as well.
I have more solo shows added inc a trip to London and im chuffed to play the
Cambridge Rock Festval. There are always updates on my Facebook page so
please do follow that.
News January 2019
2019 is looking like another busy year for me, so far 4 Westbrook shows in the diary and more recording on the way. All Living Fear are planning more dates and I am working (slowly) on new material. There is also a very special Box set album I am working on, more on this soon.
Above photo at work with Mike Westbrook
News December 2018
Well the tour with Mike Westbrook in Italy was a massive success full houses and great music what more could you ask for? And I am very excited to announce that we will be performing at Ronnie Scotts on the 12th February 2019. In addition will be performing Kate Westbrooks GRANITE in Germany in April.
News September 2018
Started work with Mike Westbrook for out tour of Italy and Sicily really enjoying some new material (to me) to perform in the set. Also my Photographic exhibition has been extended for a few more weeks.
News July 2018
25th July at 7pm I launch my first ever photographic
exhibition 'No Pass Required'. After the launch the exhibition will run for
6 weeks. It will take place at the Exeter Picturehouse Cinema. And you can
view it for free.
I also have a few more solo gigs happening over the summer. Big news for
November I am off to Italy with the Westbrook band.
News June 2018
Been a busy few weeks, booking more shows see gigs page for more. Had a great time playing in London and tomorrow (21st June) I perform with Kate and Mike Westbrook at the premier of Granite the new album. This has had some publicity including a feature on BBC South West TV programme 'Spotlight'.
News May 2018
Exciting times - I have made a record. Yep my dream since I started in music 26 years ago was to make a vinyl record and I have now done it. The single is a 10" single and features on drums the fantastic Emily Dolan Davies whom has made albums with The Darkness as well as being a touring musician with Kim Wild, Tom Bailey and Howard Jones as well as working with the likes of Bryan Ferry. I am very proud with this release and I hope you enjoy it too. you can order it here http://matthewnorth.bandcamp.com
News January 2018
Happy new year. Working on new music and booking live shows for 2018. Already 2 booked for Easter including a support once again to Nick Harper and a return to the Tavistick Wharf.
News July 2017
I had a great time at the Chagstock festival and even made it on to TV you can see it right here on BBC Spotlight.
More shows being added all the time keep an eye on the
gigs page. All Living Fear reunion has been going very well and there are
some video clips on
youtube.
'still THINKING? still DREAMING' is officially released on the 21st those of
you that pre ordered now have the CD and I'm happy to say I have had some
good reports from people that have listened. Also I went to see U2 last week
without doubt one of the best if not the best concert I have ever been to.
Some photos on my
Facebook page. Also more All Living Fear and more Mike Westbrook shows
on the way.
Order 'still THINKING? still DREAMING'
Factory Pressed CD or Hi
Resolution Digital Audio on
Bandcamp
Factory Pressed CD from
Amazon UK
Digital :
Amazon Mp3 UK :
Amazon Mp3 Worldwide :
iTunes
News May 2017
'still THINKING? still DREAMING' has just gone off to Lee Fletcher for mastering and the CD has an official release date of 21st July 2017. I have set up a pre sale on my bandcamp page here and as soon as the CDs arrive back from the pressing plant we will send them out ahead of release.
On the live front I will once again be supporting Michael Chapman on the 4th June in Bovey Tracey but before that I am off to Suffok to play at the Eight Bells in Hadleigh on the 18th May. See gigs page for more info.
News March 2017
I am over the moon to announce that I will be
performing at this years Chagstock music festival. This will be my first
festival appearence as a solo artist, hopefully by then a revised edition of
my debut album will be released on factory pressed CD. In addition a
Plymouth All Living Fear reunion show is now conformed and a Mike Westbrook
Bigger Show concert in London is confirmed for September.
News February 2017
All Living Fear my old band has
reformed for a few shows in 2017. It is the bands 25th year so myself and Andy
Racher decided to do a few gigs. The first one will be at Unit 23 in Totnes on
the 24th June. We are currently booking more shows, and I am also booking solo
gigs for this year. Contact me if you would like to
book either or!
I have also added a section to this website about my recent Photography.
News December 2016
What could be the ideal gift for Chritsmas? My new live EP naturally!
Recorded at 2 different shows it included 1 brand new song and 3 others you may know.
Order the CD or Download here
News November 2016
Had a brilliant show in Kingskerswell with Nick Harper on Friday night and I have posted a track to my brand new YouTube channel. To see it click Here and please subscribe to the channel.
News October 2016
Currently working on a new version of my debut solo album with a new mix,
new artwork and a couple song changes. This will be a factory pressed CD and
will be on sale soon with a new solo ep to follow.
Pathfinder are currently in rehearsal and are very much looking forward to gigs and festivals in 2017.
I have a solo show at Kingskerswell Parish Church in November supporting the great musician Nick Harper really looking forward to this.
News August 2016
I appear in the new edition of Bass Guitar magazine. It's a little feature based around the recent Secrets For September Album.
Here is a Clip from the recent Pathfinder show in Exeter.
The recent solo show with Michael Chapman was a great success we may gig together again in the future.
News June 2016
Bovey Homecoming - Yes I am going to be playing my
first solo show in my hometown of Bovey Tracey on the 10th July supporting
the legendary Michael Chapman.
Twitter - I have a new Twitter account look me up
@mnorthmusic
News March 2016
Been a busy time recently, the Secrets For September album is finished, manufactured and the pledge campaign worked very well. Hopefully we will have some live shows to announce at some point.
Next Week the first of the 2016 season of shows with Mike Westbrook really looking forward to these.
Recently with the other people in Pathfinder we went into a studio and put down the guys of 2 new songs as a start for an album and we hope these songs will be in the Pathfinder live set before too long.
I have also started getting back into video production having recently upgraded to HD and I have a new Vimeo channel that will showcase my new work. So far I have done a new video for the Exeter indie band National Pastime. See it on Vimeo.
News December 2015
The Secrets For September album crowdfunder is well on its way now, the album is to be called 'Insert Title Ear' and you can get it right here.
The second bit of news is that I will be talking a band for the first time to do a show in London performing my own songs I have give the band the name 'Matthew North's Pathfinder' looking forward to seeing some of you there at The Islington on the 24th January.
News November 2015
Earlier this month I performed some solo material with a band for the first time with Matt Bacon on Drums and Richard Maydon on Bass. It was great fun and I hope to take the 'Matthew North Group' out live a lot more in the near future.
Also the Mike Westbrook album is finished and I have the CD in my hand, its a great piece of work and I'm very proud of it, the Official release will be in February next year but you can pick up a copy from the next show in Exeter on the 17th Dec or from http://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk
News September 2015
I recently celebrated my birthday in style seeing David Gilmour, Jerry Lee-Lewis along with much other merriment. Anyhow I have released a brand new CD of all the tracks that have been only available as downloads entitled 'Singles & Sessions' it has 8 tracks running to appx 40 minutes, it also features a new take of 'Something Memorable' order it now from the shop.
News August 2015
Having a great time touring with Mike Westbrook the
album 'A Bigger Show' will be released in October. Lots of shows still to
come.
New single 'I See You' Out now a totally different version from the
album.
Bandcamp :
Amazon UK
News April 2015
'When You Cry' Is released today April 22nd.
Bandcamp : iTunes : Amazon UK : Amazon.com : HMV Digital
News March 2015
New Single 'When You Cry'
Very excited to say that my new single will be released on the 22nd April this will be on iTunes, Amazon mp3, HMV Digital, Spotify and all other good digital outlets. There will also be a high definition audio version on my bandcamp page.
Tickets for the launch gig at the Plough in Torrington that I am doing with Scott Morrison can be bought from here Plough Website.
In addition to this in May there will be a new single from Secrets For September. I am booking summer solo shows and have a few festivals to look forward to inc opening for Martin Barre and The Blockheads at the PL13 Festival in Cornwall.
News February 2015
More shows have been added for the tour with Mike Westbrook see my
gigs page for more information. I have also recently updated my biography and
influences on this site.
Work on the Secrets For September album is progressing and one track was
recently played on Soundart Radio.
On the 14th Feb I played my third Valentine show, this I have decided is to be
the last on the theme but like the others it was recorded and released within
24 hours of performance, on this occasion it was online 6 hours after the
doors to the venue opened!!
While I am still doing some solo shows and the odd bits here and there with Secrets and Westbrook I am looking for more live projects, I recently have played as guitarist to a couple single songwriters and very much enjoyed the experience and I'm always open to performing with other artists either as acoustic or electric guitarist as well as playing bass that I have been doing a lot more of recently.
Download Valentine 3 from http://matthewnorth.bandcamp.com
News January 2015
With the start of the new year things are starting to get busy. I have several solo shows booked inc the annual Department Factory Valentine show this year taking place at the Phoenix in Exeter. Recently released is the album 'The Famous Weiss' by classical lute player David Miller. I mastered the album for producer David Jaggs whom I have been good friends with for over 25 years.
The Mike Westbrook 'A Bigger Show' will be touring this year inc shows in Exeter, Bristol & Barnstaple with more in the pipeline.
I am also working on some archive All Living Fear releases as well as working on new solo material and the new Secrets For September album.
News October 2014
News just in. I'm thrilled to announce that on Thursday the 9th October I will be playing my first show for 11 Years in Birmingham and my first show as a solo artist. I will be supporting my good friend Reeves Gabrels at The Ooobleck (Custard Factory). Tickets on the Door or via Seetickets.com
News May 2014
Last week I was the subject of a two hour radio special on Exeter's Phonic.fm radio station where I talked about my musical career thus far and the music that influenced me. Two hours was nowhere near enough time to cover all the tracks I wanted to play but there was a fair representation. you can listen to the show via Mixcloud Here
I have started recording a solo album of acoustic songs, mostly songs that I have been performing in my solo set. I have a number of acoustic shows this year and I am planning a small tour of the south east in June dates are being added as we speak.
German electronic band Lakobeil are due to release via Echozone records a best of compilation album that will
incudes the single Drowning Lullaby that I recorded with them in 2012.
News February 2014
On the 13th February I performed an instrumental piece at the Exeter Picturehouse called Valentine Two and within 24 hours it was mixed and released you can listen to it and download it via my music page.
News November 2013
A new Secrets For September release called 'Letting Go' has just been released as a single via iTunes and Amazon plus a CD version with 28 minutes of live material. I am also planning some kind of solo album for next year and work is on going with the Westbrook video work just finished editing the recent 'Rossini Reloaded' show.
News February 2013
I'm my Solo work, it took a bit of a back seat but out of the blue I did something new I re started an old idea called 'Department Factory' and on the 14th Feb I did a solo show looping a variety of analogue instruments. I recorded this show and with some additional material from the afternoons session at home released the album 'Valentine'. You can listen to it and download it for free, or you cam contribute something to it via my Bandcamp page.
New All Living Fear album - Coming Home is out on the 1st November this is the first album where I have taken vocal duties and the first with live drums. more info can be found on Facebook. The Whitby show was great fun, maybe another show is on the horizon.
Secrets For September are making a new EP 'Life And Other Stories' and have recently toured with Arthur Brown and opened for It Bites, next show is in March supporting Lene Lovich..
The Mike Westbrook Orchestra, I have started work on filming and editing some shows of one if British Jazz's finest The Mike Westbrook Orchestra whom have made countless classic albums such as Metropolis, Citadel Room 315, Love Songs, On Dukes Birthday and many more. There is a clip on my YouTube page.
News August 2012
Can it really be that long since I updated this page wow. Well a lot has happened in brief, Secrets for September has gone from strength to strength, we welcomed new singer and friend Ellie Taylor into the band, and we made our debut on a live BBC Radio session before opening for The Magic Band at the Exeter Phoenix, since then we have done around 20 shows inc several festivals such as Kozfest, Plymouth Freedom Fields Festival, Ohmfest and others and we have a good bunch of shows for the rest of the year. We also got to No2 in the Amazon Hot new releases in rock with our single 'Reflections' and tracks from our new cd 'The Festival EP' have been played on many radio stations.
As for other musical projects All Living Fear are to play the Whitby Goth Weekend festival in November this is the bands only show planned for this year to celebrate the bands existence for the last 20 years. This will be a special gig first one with a drummer and a completely different set to the last time we played. There will also be a new All Living Fear CD out for the show.
I'm also doing a few more singer / songwriter gigs and recently have had Mike from Secrets join me on Djembe and we have had a really great sound.
Keep and eye on my blog that I do update more often than this :)
News December 2011
What an unbelievable year 2011 has been, I have achieved so many goals that I never envisages that I would ever do. The last couple Secrets shows have been by far our best, and we have more good things to come. Al being well our album will be released around February and we will spend the summer playing gigs and festivals. Also recently All Living Fear released a single the first with drums for nearly 20 years and has met with great acclaim from various movers and shakers so much so we will be performing in mainland Europe for the first time towards the end of 2012.
Also I'm still on the Radio every week at around 11pm on BBC radio Devon / Cornwall and you can also listen online.
Please also don't forget the Blog
News August 2011
Wow where does the time go, well most of my time has gone on Secrets for September, we have started playing live and enjoying the experience and we have 75% of our album recorded and hope to have it released by the end of the year. I have also been working in the background on some demos for new All Living Fear material and we have also re recorded some songs for free download that you can get here still strange to think that All Living Fear will be 20 years old next year. I have updated the gigs page with all that is coming up.
In other news the DVD that I directed of the band Skin live at Nottingham Rock City has been released more info can be found at skinfreak.co.uk
News June 2011
Lots of things have been going on the last few months, my new band 'Secrets for September' are about to release their first single as a band on June 10th via iTunes and Amazon MP3 the song is titled 'Upside Down'.
Recently at one of my acoustic shows at the Picturehouse I was honoured to perform with my good friend Arthur Brown, we did 2 songs Devils Grip and That's how strong my love is, you can see a video of devils grip on YouTube.
I am not doing as many acoustic shows at the moment as Secrets For September is getting more and more busy, but I hope to get some new songs online by the end of the year. I have also been slowly working on with All Living Fear on some new material but this is in preparation for the bands 20th anniversary next year.
Recently 2 download only eps were released include my debut acoustic ep 'Broken Strings' and a new All Living Fear ep 'Broken dream' both eps have had the thumbs up from Mick Mercer you can see the review here.
