Solo artist, collaborator, British folk gem. If you don’t know Matt Deighton you’ve been
missing out. When Kevin Lee Brown's loving documentary aired on Sky Arts, it received pick
of the day or week across the board including The Times, Telegraph, The Sun, Observer,
Mail, Mail on Sunday and Radio Times; as well Critic's Choice in the Sunday Times, and
Very Best of the Week in the Sunday Telegraph. It asks how he went from early beginnings
in the Wolfhounds to frontman in Mother Earth, Paul Weller's guitarist in the late 90's, Noel
Gallagher's temporary replacement in Oasis, and playing or writing with a snow globe of
musical greats from Terry Reid to Dr John, Brian Auger to Bill Fay, Chris Difford to Linda
Lewis, Beverley Martyn to Steve Nieve, to seemingly vanishing into complete obscurity.
The film ends though with what has ended up more of a beginning: an admonishment to the
voice that urged him walk away, and a realisation that some springs will spring eternal. “I did
try not to make music, I just can’t do it.” And so here we are, because he couldn’t, and it’s a
good job too. He’s reissued the solo back catalogue – six and counting – as well as his
majestic current solo record Today Become Forever which Matt produced alongside the
great Ken Scott to make it seven. The Instant Garden which he wrote and recorded with Dr
Robert is receiving the customary critical acclaim (“a wonderful record –intimate and
pastoral, with a sense of mystery and exoticism -4/5 HiFi+.”) finding a new audience for
Matt, and there’s a forthcoming record with Kathryn Williams which promises to be a treat.
Matt has also just completed a record he’s co written with Gary Carpenter as part of mythical
folk band Magnet, who are soon to release their first record since soundtracking the cult
classic The Wicker Man in 1973, Ballad.
PRESS QUOTES:
"His true spiritual ancestor is Nick Drake… Matt has an uncanny knack of writing songs that
sound like they’ve been constructed just before dusk on a riverbank" – The Observer Music
Monthly 4/5
"It is impossible to imagine fans of Nick Drake and John Martyn not falling in love…" –
Sunday Times
"Sparkles like a cool sweet cider sipped in a gentle summer breeze" – NME
“He’s hugely respected and hugely liked, but remained this underground secret…. despite
Matt’s considerable talent…” – Matt Everitt BBC 6Music
"A modest guitar legend" – 4/5 Daily Mail
"Wake Up The Moths is the sound of a craftsman at work, as intricate as a room full of
carriage clocks. Beautiful, really." – Record Collector 4/5
"One of the most respected artists in British Music today. Inspiring" – The Sun
"The influences are out front, primarily John Martyn, with Nick Drake and David Crosby
thrown in… although the overall feeling is Scritti Politi stripped of the electronics. The word
melliflous seeps over you as you listen…" – The Guardian 4/5
