Matt Maltese

Matt Maltese
Background information
Birth nameMatthew Jonathan Gordon Maltese
Born (1997-10-06) 6 October 1997 (age 27)
OriginReading, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
Instruments
Years active2015–present
Labels
Websitematt-maltese.com

Matthew Jonathan Gordon Maltese (born 6 October 1997) is a British-Canadian[2][3] singer-songwriter and record producer. His style blends elements from indie pop, indie rock, and chamber pop.[4] Since releasing his debut single "Even If It's a Lie" in 2015, Maltese has released four studio albums, and four EPs.[5] In July 2021, Maltese announced his third studio album, Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow; the album was released in October 2021 via Nettwerk, the label he is currently signed with.[6][7] Maltese released his fourth studio album, Driving Just to Drive in April 2023.

Early life

Born to Canadian parents, his father of Italian descent,[8] Maltese was raised in Reading, England.[9][4][10] He attended the Henley College, pursuing A Levels in Music, Maths, English and Economics.[11][12] According to an interview with Vice he started writing music at the age of 14.[13] When he was a teenager Maltese began buying and selling vinyl and with the money he made, moved to Camden, London.[4]

Career

2015–2017: SoundCloud and early singles

Maltese released his first single, "Even If It's a Lie", on SoundCloud in 2015.[4][14] After the release of the single, Maltese signed with Café Bleu Recordings, a subdivision of Atlantic Records.[10] In 2016, through Café Bleu Recordings, Maltese released his follow up EP, titled In a New Bed.[15] The following year in 2017 Maltese released a single titled "As the World Caves In"[16] which as he shared in an interview, is about the idea of then-UK Prime Minister Theresa May and then-U.S. President Donald Trump, deciding to spend a night of romance together before triggering atomic warfare.[17][18][19] The single saw a resurgence on TikTok starting in May 2021 following a cover by singer Sarah Cothran.[20] In January 2023, it was certified Silver in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling 200,000 equivalent units.[21]

2018–2019: Bad Contestant and Krystal

In June 2018 Maltese released his debut album, Bad Contestant.[22] The album was produced by Jonathan Rado of American Indie rock duo Foxygen.[23]

In November 2019 Maltese released Krystal.[24] The album was mostly recorded, produced, and mixed by Maltese in his bedroom studio.[25] With the release of Krystal, Maltese embarked on a UK headline tour in November 2019, he played on tour at six venues.[26]

2020–2021: Madhouse and Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow

In March 2020, Maltese released the single "Ballad of a Pandemic"[27] about the COVID-19 pandemic; the single was released the same day as lockdown restrictions were imposed in the United Kingdom.[28]

In May 2020, Maltese released "Queen Bee" featuring vocals from Sorry's Asha Lorenz.[29]

In June 2020, Maltese took part in Tiny Gigs, a livestream event hosted by Tiny Changes, a mental health charity, to raise money for a COVID-19 relief fund.[30][31]

In August 2020, Maltese released his extended play Madhouse.[32]

In May 2021, Maltese released a single titled "Mystery".[33] He then released another single in July 2021 called "Shoe" which was released following the announcement of Maltese's third studio album, Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow.[6] The album was released in October 2021.[34][35]

Maltese performing in 2024

2022–present: Quiet Recordings and Driving Just to Drive

In March 2022 Maltese released a new song called "Smile In the Face of the Devil"[36] as a part of his new EP titled Quiet Recordings. This EP would be a collection of more ambient tracks of off his previous album Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow. Quiet Recordings was released on 8 April 2022

In October 2022, Maltese released his new single "Mother".[37][38][39][40]

In December 2022, Maltese announced that his new album would be releasing in 2023. He then released a teaser for a new track followed by a single in January 2023 titled "Driving Just to Drive". The same day as this single was released Maltese announced his new album titled Driving Just to Drive would release on 28 April 2023.

Maltese recorded a cover of "My Funny Valentine" for the 2025 tribute album Chet Baker Re:imagined.[41]

Initiatives

Maltese has written for a number of other artists, including Birdy and Matilda Mann.[8]

In summer 2023, Maltese founded his own record label titled Last Recordings On Earth. The label's inaugural release was the single "Older" by Searows.[42]

Artistry

The first song Maltese recalls being moved by is "Dreamer" by Supertramp.[8] In a 2015 interview, Maltese said he would "always be into" Paul Simon, Nina Simone and Leonard Cohen. Upon moving to South London, Maltese became immersed in the local music landscape, looking towards artists such as Loyle Carner and Alex Burney. He named Vashti Bunyan, Flo Morrissey and Father John Misty as newer folk influences.[43]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Details
Bad Contestant
Krystal
  • Released: 8 November 2019
  • Label: 7476
Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow
Driving Just to Drive
Songs That Aren't Mine
  • Released: 8 March 2024
  • Label: Tonight Matthew

Extended plays

Title Details
In a New Bed
  • Released: 22 April 2016[44]
  • Label: Café Bleu Recordings[15]
Blood, Sweat & Beers: Live at the Drugstore and Poems from the Road
  • Released: 2017[45]
  • Label: Café Bleu Recordings
madhouse
Quiet Recordings

Singles

As lead artist

Maltese has released the following singles:[15]

Year Title Album/EP
2015 "Even If It's a Lie" Non-album singles
2016 "Vacant in the 21st Century"
"Strange Time" Bad Contestant
2017 "As the World Caves In"
"No One Won The War" Non-album singles
"Comic Life"
2018 "Greatest Comedian" Bad Contestant
"Like A Fish"
"Nightclub Love"
"Bad Contestant"
"Misery"
2020 "Tokyo (Italian Version)" Krystal
"Ballad of a Pandemic" Non-album single
"queen bee" madhouse
2021 "Mystery" Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow[6]
"Shoe"
"You Deserve an Oscar"[46]
"Good Morning"[47]
"Nothing Breaks Your Heart Like Christmas" Non-album single
2022 "Smile in the Face of the Devil" Quiet Recordings
"Mother" Driving Just To Drive
2023 "Driving Just To Drive"
"Museum"
"Florence"
"The Earth is a Very Small Dot" Non-album single
2024 "Kiss Me" Songs That Aren't Mine
Year Title Album/EP
2022 "Cate's Brother (Matt's Version)" (with Maisie Peters) Non-album single
2021 "Salt Lake City" (with Etta Marcus) View from the Bridge

Tours

Headlining act

  • Matt Maltese EU + US Autumn Tour (2022)

(with special guest Sophie May, Hohnen Ford, Searows)

  • Matt Maltese US 2022 TOUR
  • Matt Maltese Asia & Australia tour 2023
  • Matt Maltese UK, Europe, The Americas "Touring Just to Tour" 2024

Supporting act

  • Wolf Alice UK and IRELAND TOUR (2022)

References

  1. ^ "Matt Maltese | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  2. ^ Maltese, Matt. "im half Canadian 😽". Twitter. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  3. ^ Matt Maltese - Driving Just To Drive [Q&A], retrieved 20 January 2023
  4. ^ a b c d "The Melodrama of Matt Maltese". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Matt Maltese | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Matt Maltese announces new album 'Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow' and shares lead single 'Shoe'". NME. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Matt Maltese shares 'Shoe' from his third album 'Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow'". THE INDIE SCENE. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  8. ^ a b c Daniels, Maisie. "Matt Maltese; Made to Make Music". F-Word Magazine. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Matt Maltese: The Apocalyptic British Singer-Songwriter That America Desperately Needs". Billboard. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Matt Maltese | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Student Musician Of The Week: Introducing Matt Maltese (VIDEO)". HuffPost UK. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  12. ^ "College Music Student Wins Oxfordshire Arts Award". Henley Herald. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Matt Maltese Is Like a New and Improved Morrissey For Millenials". www.vice.com. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Even If It's a Lie (demo) by Matt Maltese – The Indie Inn". sites.psu.edu. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  15. ^ a b c "Matt Maltese | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Watch: Matt Maltese - 'As The World Caves In'". Clash Magazine. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  17. ^ "U.K. Songwriter Matt Maltese's Love Song About The End Of The World Is Unexpectedly Moving". The FADER. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Matt Maltese – 'Bad Contestant' review". NME. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Discovery: Matt Maltese". Interview Magazine. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Hauntingly beautiful TikTok song is the soundtrack to life's happy moments". Yahoo! News. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  21. ^ "British certifications – Matt Maltese – As The World Caves In". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  22. ^ Cabré, Alex (8 June 2018). "Matt Maltese - Bad Contestant | Reviews". DIY Magazine. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Bad Contestant - Matt Maltese | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  24. ^ Taylor, Chris (7 November 2019). "Matt Maltese - Krystal | Reviews". DIY Magazine. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  25. ^ Manno, Lizzie (18 November 2019). "Matt Maltese's Krystal Is a Lo-Fi Breakup Album Done Right". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  26. ^ Richards, Will (8 October 2019). "Matt Maltese is heading out on a UK tour in November". NME. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  27. ^ Daly, Rhian (3 April 2020). "Matt Maltese urges world to "help your neighbour" on 'Ballad Of A Pandemic'". NME. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  28. ^ "Timeline of UK coronavirus lockdowns, March 2020 to March 2021" (PDF). Institute for Government. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Matt Maltese returns with new single 'queen bee' | News". DIY Magazine. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  30. ^ "Tiny Changes announces Tiny Gigs | News". DIY Magazine. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  31. ^ Trendell, Andrew (29 May 2020). "Frank Turner, Tim Burgess, Matt Maltese and more for Tiny Changes COVID online charity gigs". NME. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  32. ^ a b Kerwick, Sean (6 August 2020). "Matt Maltese - madhouse | Reviews". DIY Magazine. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  33. ^ Murray, Robin (24 May 2021). "Matt Maltese Shares New Single 'Mystery'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  34. ^ Williams, Sophie (5 October 2021). "Matt Maltese – 'Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow' review: crooner finds his happy place". NME. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  35. ^ Griffin, Louis (6 October 2021). "Matt Maltese - Good Morning It's Now Tomorrow". DIY. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  36. ^ Jenke, Tyler (18 March 2022). "Song You Need to Know: Matt Maltese, 'Smile in The Face of The Devil'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  37. ^ Murray, Robin (31 October 2022). "Matt Maltese Uses 'Mother' To Take Another Glance At A Break-Up | News". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  38. ^ Spruce, Hannah (5 November 2022). "Track Review: Mother // Matt Maltese". The Indiependent. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  39. ^ Holden, Finlay (28 October 2022). "Matt Maltese has returned with a fresh take on the break-up song with his new single, 'Mother'". Dork. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  40. ^ "Matt Maltese unveils new single "Mother"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  41. ^ Tyler Damara Kelly (28 November 2024). "dodie, Matt Maltese, Ezra Collective, mxmtoon, and more to feature on Chet Baker Re:Imagined". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  42. ^ Tyler Damara Kelly (July 2023). "Matt Maltese launches his own record label, Last Recordings On Earth". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  43. ^ "Introducing: Matt Maltese". Love Music Love Life. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  44. ^ "Release "In A New Bed" by Matt Maltese - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  45. ^ "Matt Maltese announces first UK headline tour, releases 'Blood, Sweat And Beers' live EP". DIY. 7 August 2017. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  46. ^ "Matt Maltese shares new single 'You Deserve An Oscar'". DIY. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  47. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (24 September 2021). "'Good Morning', here's a new Matt Maltese single". Dork. Retrieved 24 September 2021.